Testimony Before the General Law Committee

House Bill 5433: An Act Concerning Occupational Licenses and Veterans

Chairs Maroney and D’Agostino, Ranking Members Cicarella and Rutigliano, and Members of the General Law Committee.

My name is John Board and I’m here to testify in favor of House Bill 5433: An Act Concerning Occupational Licenses and Veterans.

During university, I had the opportunity to serve in Western’s Student Government Association. Each month I committed to visiting a different club or organization to see how we could make life a little better for the students we represented.

I routinely, would ensure the check-in on our SVO (Student Veterans Organization) and see what our servicemembers and veterans needed to succeed both on and off campus. One of the main things I consistently heard was “please find a way to make my training count both here at school and in the workforce.”

Well, I can say — it might have taken a few years, but we’ve been able to ensure military training counts in the classroom when the Governor signed Public Act 21–132. This legislation formalizes the review of college credit for military training. The higher education governing boards are now required to review and update their policies every five years.

As the individual who raised this concept to Chairman Nolan of the Veterans Affairs and other members of his committee and yours, I can assure you my intent here is similar. In the proposal here the Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Military Department, would work with regulators, management, labor, and other interested parties together to establish which Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test results and other training would qualify for certifications. I would recommend you include a five-year provision for review — similar to section one of the public act.

The Governor has double downed on the revitalization of manufacturing — implementing this program could assist further in accomplishing this objective. The intent of this legislation is not to be a catch-all to coordinate training that is needed but to ease the burden on our veterans as they re-enter civilian life and use the skills acquired during service.

I appreciate the Commissioner’s commitment to continued dialogue to find ways to amend the statute (Section 31–22u) to further support servicemembers and veterans.

I’m ready to answer any questions which members of the committee may have. Thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPjvR8VRMpU&ab_channel=JohnBoardCT