I, Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of art. III, secs. 1 and 24 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 44.17.060, assign additional duties to the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (AS 23.15.270) in order to expand employment opportunities and address technology needs for people of all ages with disabilities and maximize the efficient and cost effective delivery of governmental services. The consolidation of functions focuses the energies of government on facilitating the actions of community leaders, consumers of rehabilitation and employment services, employers, and other members of the public to identify and reduce barriers to full access to the benefits of society by persons with disabilities.

Section 1. ASSIGNMENT OF FUNCTIONS

On the sixtieth day after the effective date of this order,

A. the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is assigned the following additional duties:

1. serve as the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council for Alaska that is required under 29 U.S.C. 725 for the receipt of federal financial assistance under 29 U.S.C. 720 for vocational rehabilitation services;

2. advise the Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, on the manner in which assistive technology devices and services will be provided, or worksite assessments will be made, in order to comply with 29 U.S.C. 721 (a)(31); and

B. the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council and the Assistive Technologies Advisory Council in the Department of Education are dissolved.

Section 2. TERMS AND APPOINTMENTS OF MEMBERS

A. Terms of the members who are serving on the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, and the Assistive Technologies Advisory Council expire on the sixtieth day after the effective date of this order unless a member's term expired earlier.

B. Appointments to the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities made after the effective date of this order will comply with applicable state and federal requirements in order to ensure continued federal financial support of eligible services coordinated by the committee. If possible, priority for initial appointments to the committee after the effective date of this order will be given to members serving on the committee or councils affected by this order.

Section 3. CONTACT AGENCY

The Alaska Department of Education will serve as lead contact agency for the council. The Alaska Department of Education shall provide reasonable and necessary professional and technical assistance requested by the council.

Section 4. WORKING TITLE

Except for legal transactions or documents, the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities may also be known as the Governor's Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities.

Section 5. TRANSITION

A. The Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities shall immediately take steps to prepare for the addition of its new functions assigned by this order.

B. The State Rehabilitation Advisory Council and the Assistive Technologies Advisory Council shall immediately take steps to facilitate the efficient implementation of this order.

This order takes effect immediately.

Dated at Juneau, Alaska this 11 day of April, 1997.

S/S Tony Knowles     
Tony Knowles         
Governor