2021-02-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 0143
The Compact would establish a commission with rulemaking,                                                                       
enforcement, and financial assessment provisions. Alaska would                                                                  
appoint one person to be the compact administrator within the state.                                                            
The single-state and multi-state nurse licensing programs would have                                                            
separate receipt support funding, which means the multistate licensing                                                          
program will not impact the costs for the single-state licensees.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
This bill is a win-win, keeping our present licensure options for CNAs,                                                         
APRNs, and Alaska-only licensees, while opening Alaska’s diverse                                                                
communities to multistate licensed RNs and LPNs to help fill the                                                                
hundreds of nursing vacancies across the state. This legislation is                                                             
strongly supported by healthcare facilities and nurses throughout                                                               
Alaska, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 68                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 68 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act making supplemental appropriations,                                                                           
          reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending                                                                  
          appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX,                                                                  
          sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from                                                                 
          the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing                                                                 
          for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 1:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Micciche:                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to supplemental                                                                 
appropriations for the State’s operating and capital expenses for fiscal                                                        
year 2021.