(a) Immediately following a determination by the commissioner of labor and workforce development that a zone of underemployment exists, and for the next two fiscal years after the determination, qualified residents of the zone who are eligible under Alaska Stat. § 36.10.140 shall be given preference in hiring for work on each project under Alaska Stat. § 36.10.180 that is wholly or partially sited within the zone. The preference applies on a craft-by-craft or occupational basis.(b) The commissioner of labor and workforce development shall determine the amount of work that must be performed under this section by qualified residents who are eligible for an employment preference under Alaska Stat. § 36.10.140. In making this determination, the commissioner shall consider the nature of the work, the classification of workers, availability of eligible residents, and the willingness of eligible residents to perform the work.(c) The commissioner shall determine that a zone of underemployment exists if the commissioner finds that
(1) the rate of unemployment within the zone is substantially higher than the national rate of unemployment;(2) a substantial number of residents in the zone have experience or training in occupations that would be employed on a public works project;(3) the lack of employment opportunities in the zone has substantially contributed to serious social or economic problems in the zone; and(4) employment of workers who are not residents is a peculiar source of the unemployment of residents of the zone.
