2020-01-27                     House Journal                      Page 1468
HB 216                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 216 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to temporary                                                          
     licenses for some professions; relating to audiologists and speech-                                                        
     language pathologists; relating to the regulation of hair braiding;                                                        

2020-01-27                     House Journal                      Page 1469
     relating to the demonstration of traditional Alaska Native tattoo                                                          
     techniques; relating to home inspector licensing; relating to                                                              
     collection agency licensing; relating to hearing aid dealer                                                                
     licensing; repealing requirements for certification of professional                                                        
     geologists; repealing the requirements for registration of concert                                                         
     promoters; repealing the athletic commission; relating to boxing,                                                          
     sparring and wrestling contests, matches, and exhibitions; relating                                                        
     to dental radiological equipment; repealing certain oil and gas                                                            
     business bonding and cash deposit requirements; and providing                                                              
     for an effective date."                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce, Health                                                            
& Social Services, Resources, and Finance Committees.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                             
2. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                             
3. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic                                                                             
 Development                                                                                                                    
4. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 21 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill regarding professional licensing                                                         
reform.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
This bill would streamline professional licensing provisions and                                                                
increase the efficiency of the Department of Commerce, Community,                                                               
and Economic Development, as well as multiple boards that oversee                                                               
professional licensing. This bill would eliminate outdated                                                                      
requirements, align requirements with federal law, and eliminate                                                                
burdensome regulation.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The bill addresses current inconsistencies in the rules regarding                                                               
temporary professional licenses and reworks language to institute one                                                           
clear, fair, and responsible standard for allowing qualified persons to                                                         

2020-01-27                     House Journal                      Page 1470
begin practice under a temporary license. This will ensure efficiency,                                                          
remove barriers to workforce entry and improve availability of                                                                  
licensed professionals, while protecting public safety.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Amendments clarify when a previous brush with the law would                                                                     
disqualify a person from entering a licensed profession. The bill also                                                          
repeals many obsolete statutes, including the Athletic Commission, a                                                            
body that has not been funded or active for many years.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Finally, this bill addresses areas, such as the oversight of dental                                                             
radiological equipment, by moving oversight to the Department of                                                                
Health and Social Services, an agency much more appropriate for this                                                            
task.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Together, we can keep our citizens safe, but allow a streamlined,                                                               
efficient, and robust professional licensing. This bill is an important                                                         
first step towards that goal.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"