Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

03/06/2023 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ SB 84 MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
*+ SB 83 PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                  SB  83-PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:14:39     PM                                                                                                                
CHAIR      BJORKMAN       reconvened         the     meeting      and     announced        the                                  
consideration         of    SENATE      BILL     NO.     83    "An    Act     relating       to                                 
professional        licensing;      relating      to   temporary      licenses      for   some                                  
professions; and providing for an effective date."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:15:13     PM                                                                                                                
SYLVAN     ROBB,     Director,      Division      of    Corporations,        Business      and                                  
Professional       Licensing      (CBPL),     Department       of   Commerce,     Community                                     
and   Economic      Development       (DCCED),      Juneau,     Alaska,     introduced       SB
83 on behalf of the administration.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:15:40     PM                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB    advanced      to    slide     2   to   explain      universal      temporary                                     
licensure       (UTL)     and    the    three     ways    to    qualify.      A   universal                                     
temporary      license     aims    to   get   people     to   work    faster     in  Alaska.                                    
She reviewed slide 2:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                     What is Universal Temporary Licensure?                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
             Universal Temporary Licensure (UTL) is a measure that                                                              
               establishes a pathway for limited reciprocity for                                                                
       qualified professionals who:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
             • Hold substantially equivalent licenses in other U.S.                                                             
           and Canadian jurisdictions or                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                • Have demonstrated substantial compliance with                                                                 
           licensing requirements in Alaska but live in a U.S.                                                                  
           jurisdiction or Canadian territory/province where                                                                    
           the profession is not licensed or                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                • Meets the qualifications for Alaska licensure                                                                 
           through military education, training, and service                                                                    
           and does not already hold a license in another                                                                       
           jurisdiction                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:16:58 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ROBB turned to slide 3, "How Does One Qualify for UTL?" She                                                                 
relayed the following information:                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
       Applicant cannot:                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
       • Be the subject of disciplinary action related to their                                                                 
           profession or be the subject of ongoing review or                                                                    
           disciplinary proceeding by the professional licensing                                                                
           entity in another jurisdiction or                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
       • Have committed an act in another jurisdiction within the                                                               
           past 10 years that would have constituted grounds for                                                                
           denial or revocation of a license in Alaska at the time                                                              
           the act was committed                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
       Applicant must:                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
       • Submit application and provide documents required to                                                                   
           verify:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
           • Licensure in good standing in another jurisdiction                                                                 
           • Lack of licensure in their jurisdiction of residence                                                               
               and proof of meeting Alaska's qualifications or                                                                  
           • Proof of meeting Alaska's qualifications with military                                                             
               education, training, and service per AS 08.01.064(a)                                                             
       • Undergo a criminal history background check if required                                                                
           for that profession in Alaska                                                                                        
       • Pay all required fees                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MS.   ROBB    said   professionals        cannot    obtain     a  UTL   if  they    are   from                                  
a     jurisdiction           with       substantially           different         licensing                                     
requirements,        which    further     ensures     these    professionals        are   safe                                  
to practice in Alaska.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:18:32 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.   ROBB    advanced     to   slide    4,   "How   Does    UTL   Work?"     and   reviewed                                    
the following:                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
       • Temporary licenses are valid for up to 180 days                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                • Applicants can apply for one 180-day extension                                                                
           (approved at the department's discretion)                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB    explained      the    180-day     extension       applies     to   temporary                                     
licensees      who   show    they    are   working     towards     permanent      licensure                                     
but   still    need    to  meet    the   requirements       because     a  required     class                                   
was    not   available       or   extenuating        life    circumstances        prevented                                     
them from submitting final, permanent licensure items.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                 • Temporary license holders are authorized to                                                                  
           temporarily practice the profession for which the                                                                    
           license was granted in compliance with Alaska's laws                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB    emphasized       UTL    holders      are    required      to    comply     with                                  
statutes      and    regulations       that    cover     their    practice      in   Alaska,                                    
not the state laws of the jurisdiction from which they came.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:19:40 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR    BJORKMAN      drew   attention      to   the   bullet     point    at   the   bottom                                   
of   slide     3   regarding      a   criminal      history      background       check.     He                                 
remarked       that    people      report     long     wait     times     for    background                                     
checks.     He   inquired      about    the   efficiency       of   this    when    the   bill                                  
aims to expedite licensure.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB     replied      that     a    handful      of    professions        require      a                                 
criminal      background        check.     The     division's       standard      operating                                     
procedure      is  to   issue    a  temporary      license     as  soon    as   fingerprint                                     
cards    are    submitted      to   the    Department       of   Public     Safety     (DPS).                                   
CBPL    does    this    to   ensure     background      checks     do   not   hold    up   the                                  
licensing      process.      Permanent      licenses      are    not   issued     until    DPS                                  
returns background check results.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:21:16 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR      BISHOP     sought     clarification        about     the    process,      asking                                   
who takes the fingerprints.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS.     ROBB     replied      that     local      law    enforcement        offices       have                                  
standard       fingerprint       cards      and    can    take    prints.       Individuals                                     
submit     their    cards    to   CBPL.     The   cards    are    available      elsewhere,                                     
and    she   expressed      her    belief     an   individual       could    download      the                                  
cards from the division's website.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR      BISHOP      expressed       alarm.     He    sought     confirmation         that                                  
after    a   UTL   applicant's       fingerprint       cards     are   submitted      to   DPS                                  
and    while     that    agency     runs     a   criminal      background       check,     the                                  
applicant is issued a temporary license.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS.   ROBB    replied     this    is   correct,     but    she   said    to  bear    in   mind                                  
the   applicant      must    have    a  license     in   good   standing      from   another                                    
jurisdiction        with    substantially         similar     licensing       requirements                                      
to   qualify     for   a   UTL.   She    emphasized      that    if   Alaska     requires     a                                 
criminal     background       check,    the   other     licensing     jurisdiction        must                                  
also require it.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:22:51 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ROBB returned to slide 4:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
       How Does UTL Work? [continued]:                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                 • The department has the authority to revoke a                                                               
           temporary license if the license was secured under                                                                   
           deceit, fraud, or intentional misrepresentation                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB     said     three     professions        in    Alaska      require      Alaska-                                    
specific knowledge and are not covered by this statute:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
       • Temporary license provisions do not apply to:AS 08.48: Architects, Engineers, Land Surveyors,                                                                   
               and Landscape Architects;                                                                                        
           • AS       08.54:        Big      Game      Guides        and      Related                                           
               Occupations; or                                                                                                  
           • AS 08.62: Marine Pilots                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:24:14 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.    ROBB    advanced      to    slide    5,    stating      SB   83   allows     CBPL     to                                 
streamline       and   expedite      the   licensure       process     to   get   qualified                                     
professionals        working      in   Alaska     faster.      She   reviewed      the    need                                  
for universal temporary licensure on slide 5:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                               Why is UTL Needed?                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
             • Boards were given the authority to create temporary                                                              
           licenses under AS 08.01.062, but many still have not                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
              • Processing times are long for many programs due to                                                              
           increased workloads                                                                                                  
           • Increase of 64% in the number of professional                                                                      
               licenses (FY12-FY22)                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
 • Allows          the       department         to       issue       qualified                                                  
           professionals a temporary license as part of the                                                                     
           permanent licensure process once the required items                                                                  
           for the temporary license have been received                                                                         
           • Allows qualified professionals to begin working                                                                    
               more quickly                                                                                                     
           • Limits the additional work created by making the                                                                   
               temporary license part of the permanent licensure                                                                
               process (if the applicant wants a permanent                                                                      
               license)                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB    said    the   universal       temporary      licensure       concept     gives                                   
CBPL     one     more      tool     to    address       the     division's        licensing                                     
challenges.        Eighteen      other     states     have     a   temporary      licensing                                     
option.     CBPL    wants     this    option     to   get    vetted     professionals        to                                 
work faster.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:25:39 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.   ROBB    spoke    to  professionals        seeking     permanent      licensure.      She                                  
said      the      department         would       issue       a     temporary        license                                    
automatically        if   and   when    an   applicant      meets    the   qualifications                                       
for    temporary       licensure       as    part     of   the    permanent       licensure                                     
process.      This    reduces      the    need    for    multiple      applications        and                                  
reduces     the   number    of   documents      the   division     processes.       The   bill                                  
gets    people     into    the    workplace      quicker      without     increasing       the                                  
number of license applications.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB    said    all    boards     have    the    option     to    offer    temporary                                     
licenses,      but   only    some    actually     do.   Some    boards     offer    multiple                                    
temporary       licenses.      The    division      wants     to   streamline        the   UTL                                  
process     by   offering      just    one   standardized        temporary      license      to                                 
communicate that Alaska is open for business.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:28:41 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ROBB advanced to slide 6:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                         How Do We Know UTL Will Help?                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
              • The Alaska State Medical Board and Alaska Board of                                                              
           Nursing     led   the   way   in  making     temporary      permits    part                                          
           of the permanent licensure process                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB    said    temporary      licensure      requires      additional       tracking                                    
and     communication         beyond      what      is    necessary        for    permanent                                     
licensure,       but   it   eliminates       the   need    for   applicants       to   submit                                   
and     licensing       staff     to     review      multiple       applications.         This                                  
streamlines       the   process     for    licensing      staff    and   makes    it   easier                                   
for the license applicant.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
             • These temporary permits allow physicians, physician                                                              
           assistants,          registered          nurses,        and       licensed                                           
           practical       nurses     to   get    to   work    quicker      while    we                                         
           wait      on     items       from      third-parties           (such      as                                         
           verifications        of    work    experience,       verifications        of                                         
           hospital privileges, etc.)                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB    explained       that    many    licenses      require      primary      source                                   
verifications.         CBPL   must    receive     source     documents      directly      from                                  
schools,     employers,       and   other    entities,      not   the   applicant.      These                                   
documents      include     employment       verifications        and    transcripts.       She                                  
said    the   primary     source    verification       requirement       aims    to  protect                                    
the    division     from    people     manipulating        documents      and    falsifying                                     
records.      Former     employers       do   not    always     prioritize       employment                                     
verifications,         which    can    delay    documentation.         SB   83   alleviates                                     
these types of temporary document delays.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
             • Previously, applicants would have to specify if they                                                             
           wanted     a    temporary      license      when     submitting       their                                          
           application       for   a  permanent      license     or   apply    for   it                                         
           separately from the permanent license                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:30:48 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.    ROBB    said     standardizing         the    process      across     all    programs                                    
would     reduce      processing        times.      For     example,       out    of    1,000                                   
temporary       nursing       licenses       in    the    last     eight      months,      200                                  
applicants       did    not    submit      any    paperwork       to   get    a   permanent                                     
license.     It   was   helpful     for   licensing      staff    to  know    they   did   not                                  
need     to    communicate        with      those     applicants        about     permanent                                     
license paperwork requirements.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
              • Medical and nursing professionals, hospitals, and                                                               
           health care facilities are happier under this                                                                        
           current process                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
              • We currently have similar provisions available to                                                               
           active-duty military members and their spouses under                                                                 
           AS 08.01.063 (due to SB 21 passed last year)                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS.   ROBB    said   military      spouses     have    the   option    of   getting     a  UTL                                  
or    a   military       courtesy      license.       CBPL    is    required       to   issue                                   
military courtesy licenses within 30 days.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:31:59 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR     DUNBAR     sought     confirmation       that    the   temporary      licensing                                     
process     already      exists     for   nurses     through      the   Alaska     Board     of                                 
Nursing.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. ROBB said that is correct.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR      DUNBAR      commented       that    the    committee       heard     testimony                                     
previously        that     one    justification          for    the     Nurse     Licensure                                     
Compact     (NLC)    is   the   length     of   time   it   takes    to   get   a   nurse    up                                 
and   running      with   a   temporary      license.      He  said    CBPL    has   already                                    
implemented        and    operates      under     an   improved,       faster     temporary                                     
license      process,      yet    the    division       recently      requested       an   NLC                                  
because      the    process      is    not    fast     enough.      He    asked     why    the                                  
committee       should      consider      the    proposed       standardized        UTL    for                                  
other     professions        when    it   does     not    seem    to    have    helped     the                                  
nurse's temporary licensure situation.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.   ROBB    replied      that   the    standardized       UTL    process     for   nursing                                    
clearly      identifies       which     applicants       do    not    want    a   permanent                                     
license, thus saving time with the following tasks:                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
-   reviewing      applications        to    see    what    is   missing      to   obtain     a                                 
    permanent license,                                                                                                          
- communicating that to the applicant, and                                                                                      
- following up on notification deadlines.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR     DUNBAR     sought     confirmation        that    a  temporary      license      is                                 
available      through     the   Board    of  Nursing     now,    but   SB  83   takes    it  a                                 
little further and is a little different.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB     replied      that     is   correct.       She    said     SB    83   repeals                                    
temporary      licensure      language      for   boards     with   that    provision      and                                  
replaces     it   with    standard     temporary      license     language.      A  standard                                    
temporary license is easier for applicants and staff.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:34:03 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.    ROBB     advanced       to    slide     7,    stating      the     division      seeks                                   
legislative        help     with     UTL    and     NLC    as    tools     to    accelerate                                     
processing       times.     She   said    the    division     views     NLC   as   the    best                                  
option;     it   would    reduce     the   number     of  applications        submitted      to                                 
CBPL.    UTL   complements       the    nursing     compact.     There    are    39  compact                                    
states.      UTL    creates      a    pathway      for    a   temporary       license      for                                  
professionals        who   are   not   in   a  compact     state.     She   said   NLC    is  a                                 
great     option      for    improvement.         She    added      that     many    of    the                                  
division's       professions       do  not    offer    a  temporary      license     option,                                    
so    people      cannot     work     until      licensing       staff     process      their                                   
documents.       Universal       temporary       licensure      and    compact      criteria                                    
are listed on slide 7:                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                UTL vs. Compacts                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                Universal                                                     
                                                                Licensure   Interstate                                        
                                                                Recognition   Licensure                                       
                                                                Laws           Compacts                                       
       Criteria                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
       Requires practitioners to abide by the scope of            Yes            Yes                                            
       practice of the state in which they are practicing                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
       Allows for expeditious interstate movement of              Yes            Yes                                            
       practitioners during emergencies                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
       Reduces barriers for out-of-state practitioners            Yes 1          Yes                                            
       aiming to practice within a state                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
       Reduces barriers for in-state practitioners                No             Yes                                            
       intending to practice in other state(s)                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
       Allows military spouses to maintain a single home          No             Yes 2                                          
       state license for the duration of the service                                                                            
       member's active duty, regardless of relocations,                                                                         
       without submitting a separate application to each                                                                        
       state's licensure board                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
       Allows practitioners to work in multiple state,            No             Yes                                            
       both in person and via telehealth/telework, without                                                                      
       submitting a separate application to each state's                                                                        
       licensure board, requiring verification of the                                                                           
       current license or obtaining a new background check                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
       Brings together a coalition of states to establish  No                    Yes                                            
       consistent and enforceable interstate licensure                                                                          
       standards tailored to the public protection                                                                              
       requirements of a given profession                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
       Enhances public protection by creating a multistate  No                   Yes                                            
       database of licensure information to facilitate                                                                          
       collaboration on license verification and                                                                                
       investigations of potential misconduct                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
       Allows multistate practice without requiring               Sometimes 1 Yes 3                                             
       practitioners to change state of residence                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
       Allows practitioners to work in multiple states            No             Yes                                            
       while adhering to only one state's continuing                                                                            
       education requirements and license renewal schedule                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
 1 Some statessuch as Arizona and Iowahave universal licensure recognition laws                                                 
         that require practitioners to reside in the state, while otherssuch as Colorado                                        
         and Idahodo not                                                                                                        
2 This is true only if practitioners relocate to a compact member state. License                                                
         verification is based on practitioners complying with compact criteria for                                             
         privilege to practice in another member state.                                                                         
3 This is applicable when practitioners travel from one compact member state to                                                 
         another.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:35:53 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.   ROBB    advanced      to   a  map    on   slide    8  that    shows     which    states                                   
enacted      some    type    of   universal      recognition        policy     for   out-of-                                    
state     licensed      professionals         as   of   May    2022.     The    Council      of                                 
State     Governments       (CSG)     identified      the    following       18   states     as                                 
having      UTLs:     Montana,      Idaho,      Nevada,      South     Dakota,      Wyoming,                                    
Utah,     Arizona,      Colorado,       New    Mexico,      Iowa,     Kansas,     Oklahoma,                                     
Missouri,       Mississippi,        Pennsylvania,        New    Jersey,      Vermont,      and                                  
New Hampshire.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:36:21 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.    ROBB     completed       the     presentation        and     offered      to    answer                                   
questions.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:36:30 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR     GRAY-JACKSON        asked    if  she    is  aware    of   any   opposition       to                                 
SB 83.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.   ROBB    said   none   that    the   division     is   aware    of  now.    Boards    are                                  
aware of the bill and are looking at it.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BJORKMAN invited her to present the sectional analysis.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:37:17 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.   ROBB    introduced       the   sectional       analysis.      It   is   available      on                                 
The   Alaska     State    Legislature       website     under     the   bill    "Documents"                                     
tab.     She    addressed       the    following       points      from    the    sectional                                     
analysis:                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
       Section 1:                                                                                                             
              Repeals and reenacts AS 08.01.062  temporary license                                                              
              to allow the Department of Commerce, Community, and                                                               
                 Economic Development ("department") to issue a                                                                 
       temporary license if the applicant:                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                 • Is licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction or                                                                  
           province/territory            of     Canada      that      has     license                                           
           requirements         substantially         equivalent        or    greater                                           
           than    Alaska's,       or   authorizes        a  scope     of    practice                                           
           substantially         equivalent       to   the    scope    of    practice                                           
           for the license in Alaska;                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                • Meets the qualifications and requirements of a                                                                
           license     in  Alaska     and   resides     in  a  U.S.    jurisdiction                                             
           or    province/territory            of    Canada       that     does     not                                         
           license the respective profession; or                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
              • Meets the qualifications and requirements for the                                                               
           Alaska     license    through     military      education,      training,                                            
           and     service      under      AS    08.01.064(a)         and     doesn't                                           
           already hold a license in another jurisdiction.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:38:19 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR     BISHOP    asked    who    decides     what   qualifies      as   substantially                                      
equivalent.         He     wondered       if     the     boards      decide       that     for                                  
themselves.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS.    ROBB    replied     the    department       makes    that    determination         with                                  
the   help    of   a  paralegal.      She    said   that    substantially        equivalent                                     
is    many     states'       standard       language      to     compare      professional                                      
licensing. She elaborated, stating:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
-  a  person     might    have    graduated      from   a   college     accredited      by   an                                 
entity     different       from    that    listed     in   a   profession's       threshold                                     
qualifications, or                                                                                                              
-  a  profession       might    require     250   hours    of   experience       in  Alaska,                                    
but     another       jurisdiction         only      needs      240     to     meet     their                                   
qualifications.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
She    said     listing      substantially         equivalent       qualifications         for                                  
every    profession       in   every    jurisdiction       would    be   impossible.       For                                  
professions       with    a   board,     CBPL    seeks    board     guidance      to   ensure                                   
safe    practitioners         are    licensed      in   Alaska     if    the    applicant's                                     
credentials are uncomfortably shy of qualification thresholds.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR     BISHOP    said    his   goal   is   to  protect     Alaskans      and   he  asked                                   
the question to ensure due diligence.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. ROBB said that the division's first and foremost goal is to                                                                 
ensure licensed service providers have the education, training,                                                                 
and skills necessary to provide safe services to Alaskans.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:40:21 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ROBB continued the sectional analysis, addressing the                                                                       
following points:                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
       Section 1 [continued]:                                                                                                 
       To    qualify      for    a   temporary       license,       the    applicant                                            
       cannot:                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
       •   Be   the   subject    of   disciplinary       action     related    to   the                                         
           profession      in   another     jurisdiction       or   be  the   subject                                           
           of   an   ongoing     review     or   disciplinary        proceeding      by                                         
           the     profession's          licensing        entity       in     another                                           
           jurisdiction.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
       •   Have    committed     an   act   in  another     jurisdiction        within                                          
           the   10   years    before     the   application       that   would    have                                          
           constituted       grounds      for    denial     or   revocation       of   a                                        
           license in Alaska at the time the act was committed.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
       To    qualify      for    a   temporary       license,       the    applicant                                            
       must:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
       • Pays all required fees                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
       •   Undergo     a   criminal      history     background       check    if   the                                         
           department      or   applicable      board    requires     such    for   the                                         
           professional license.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
           •   Disclaimer:         The     department         may     consider       an                                         
               application       and   grant     a  temporary      license      before                                          
               obtaining      any   resulting      report.     If   the   department                                            
               subsequently       receives      criminal     record     information                                             
               that    would    authorize       the   department       or   board    to                                         
               take   disciplinary        action,     that   authority      shall    be                                         
               exercised.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
       Temporary       licenses       are    valid     for    up    to    180    days.                                          
       Applicants       can   apply     for   one   180-day     extension,       which                                          
       the    department       approves      at   its    discretion.       Temporary                                            
       license       holders       are     authorized         to    practice        the                                         
       profession         for      which      the      license       was      granted                                           
       temporarily.         The     department        has    the     authority       to                                         
       revoke     a  license      issued    under    this    section     if   secured                                           
             under deceit, fraud, or intentional misrepresentation.                                                             
                                                                                                                                
       Temporary      license     provisions       under    this   section     do   not                                         
       apply      to     AS     08.48      (Architects,         Engineers,        Land                                          
       Surveyors,        and   Landscape       Architects),        AS    08.54    (Big                                          
       Game     Guides      and    Related      Occupations),         or   AS    08.62                                          
       (Marine Pilots).                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
       Section 2:                                                                                                             
       Amends      AS     08.01.063(a)             under      military       courtesy                                           
       licenses           to    change     the    term     "temporary        courtesy                                           
       license"      to   "temporary      military     courtesy      license",      and                                         
       to   refer     to   a  "license      or   certificate"       versus     just    a                                        
       license.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:42:19 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ROBB said sections 3-27 are conforming changes.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
       Section 28:                                                                                                            
       Adds     a    TRANSITION:         REGULATIONS        section      under      the                                         
       uncodified        law    to   allow     DCCED     to   adopt     regulations                                             
       necessary to implement the changes made by this Act.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
       Section 29:                                                                                                            
       Adds     a  TRANSITION:        SAVINGS     CLAUSE      section     under     the                                         
       uncodified law to:                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
       •   Provide      for    litigation,        hearings,       investigations,                                               
           appeals,      and   other     proceedings       pending     under    a   law                                         
           amended      or   repealed       by   this    Act    to    continue      and                                         
           completed      notwithstanding         a  transfer     or   amendment     or                                         
           repeal provided in the Act.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
       •   Allow     certificates,        orders,     permits,      licenses,       and                                         
           regulations       issued    or   adopted     under    the   authority     of                                         
           a  law    amended     or   repealed     by   this    Act   to   remain    in                                         
           effect      for     the     term     issued      or    until      revoked,                                           
           vacated,       or    otherwise       modified       under      the    Act's                                          
           provisions.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
       •   Allow        contracts,           rights,         liabilities,           and                                         
           obligations        created     by   or    under    a   law    amended     or                                         
           repealed     by   this    Act      and   in   effect    as   of  the   date                                          
           of the Act  to remain in effect.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:43:36 PM                                                                                                                    
       Section 30:                                                                                                            
              Provides an immediate effective date for Sections 28-                                                             
       29.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
       Section 31:                                                                                                            
                Provides for a July 1, 2024, effective date for                                                                 
       Sections 1-27.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:43:50 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN asked if there were questions.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:44:04 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 83.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:44:48 PM                                                                                                                    
ERICK    CORDERO,     Vice    President      of   Operations,      Alaska     Policy    Forum                                   
(APF),     Palmer,     Alaska,      testified      in   support     of   SB   83.    He   said                                  
that    according     to   the   Goldwater      Institute,      a  quarter     of   all   jobs                                  
in     the     United       States       require       an     occupational          license,                                    
essentially         a    government-issued            permit      to     work.      Licensed                                    
individuals       may    find    it   difficult      to   move    to   another     state     to                                 
work    because     of   additional      testing     or   training      requirements       and                                  
extra    fees    to   obtain     a  new   license.      He   said   that    licensure      can                                  
sometimes      be   excessive,      limit    competition,       raise    consumer      prices                                   
and     impact      minorities        and     low-income        residents        unequally.                                     
Temporary       licensure       of    individuals        who     previously       completed                                     
training       or     testing       requirements         in     another      state      would                                   
eliminate      costly,     time-consuming,         and   often    unnecessary       barriers                                    
to   employment.      There    is   a  shortage     of   skilled     workers     in  Alaska,                                    
such    as   school      bus   drivers,      speech      pathologists,        construction                                      
and       transportation            services          workers,         and       healthcare                                     
professionals.         Universal       licensing      may    benefit      businesses       and                                  
organizations         dependent       on    these     professionals.          States      like                                  
Arizona      adopted     universal       licensing       reforms,      and    there    was    a                                 
growth    in   the   number     of  professionals        working     in  diverse     fields,                                    
such    as   medicine       and   engineering.        Reducing      licensing       barriers                                    
and    increasing       occupational       mobility      can    increase      competition,                                      
lower prices, and boost economic growth.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:46:45 PM                                                                                                                    
TINA      REIN,      Nursing       Home      Administrator,           Foundation        House                                   
Partners,      Denali    Center,     Fairbanks,       Alaska,     testified      in  support                                    
of   SB  83.    She   spoke    of   the   difficulties       associated       with   getting                                    
licensed     staff.     She   said   Alaska     does   not   have    a  supply    of   nurses                                   
to   fill     vacant     positions.       This     is   evident      in    the   number      of                                 
applicants      and    the   length    of   time    positions      stay    open.    She   said                                  
the   facility     employs     traveling      nurses     and   nurses    relocating       with                                  
the   military     to   fill   the   vacancy     gap.    She   said   40   percent     of  the                                  
job   offers     extended     to   applicants       were   not    accepted     because     the                                  
applicants       found    jobs    in   other    states     while    waiting      for   Alaska                                   
licensure.       She   said    the   average     license     processing       time   exceeds                                    
eight    weeks    and   sometimes      takes    over   15   weeks.    The   Denali     Center                                   
and   other    long-term      care    facilities      lose   candidates       to  licensure                                     
delays;     applicants       find   jobs    elsewhere.       As   a  result,     facilities                                     
cannot     accept    new   residents       due   to   staffing     shortages.       She   said                                  
the   issue     causes     a  healthcare       system    domino     effect,      creating     a                                 
backup      of    patients      in    the     hospital      medical-surgical           units,                                   
intensive      care,    and   emergency      rooms.    It   affects     Alaskans     who   end                                  
up   traveling     out-of-state        for   critical     care    needs.    She   asked    the                                  
committee      to   pass    SB  83   to   support     her   staff     and   the   elders     at                                 
the   Denali    Center,     who   need    the   safe    care   that    adequate     staffing                                    
provides.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:49:40 PM                                                                                                                    
COLLEEN      KOWALCHUK,        Nursing      Director,       Wound      and    Ostomy      Care                                  
Clinic,     Foundation      Health     Partners,      Fairbanks,      Alaska,     testified                                     
in    support      of     SB    83.    She     said     Fairbanks       is    experiencing                                      
unprecedented        nursing      vacancies      for    various     reasons;      licensing                                     
delays     are   one   of   the   biggest     hurdles.     The    hospital     uses    travel                                   
nurses      more      than     normal,       and     there      is    sometimes        fierce                                   
competition        for   them.     Many    travel      nurses     indicate      the    Alaska                                   
licensure      process      is   slow    and   choose     to   work    in   other    states.                                    
This    affects      the   ability      to   provide      safe    care    without      asking                                   
permanent      staff    to   work   additional      shifts.     Extra    shifts     increase                                    
the   risk    of   burnout.     It   creates     a  chain    reaction.      Fairbanks      has                                  
a  small    dialysis      program     and   has    experienced       delays    with    travel                                   
nurse    licensure,       so   much    so  that    the    inpatient      program     was   put                                  
on   hold    while    nurses     awaited      their    Alaska     licenses.      This    is   a                                 
critical     problem.      It  is   common    for   licensing      to   take   longer     than                                  
ten    to   twelve     weeks.     She    said    having     flexible      nurses     who   can                                  
obtain immediate licensing would benefit patient care in Alaska.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:51:29 PM                                                                                                                    
JESSICA       STRUBINGER,         representing          self,      Fairbanks,        Alaska,                                    
testified      in   support     of  SB   83.   She   said    she   had   been    a  licensed                                    
nurse     for     22    years.     She     had    worked      at    Fairbanks       Memorial                                    
Hospital      for   the   last    8.5   years.     She   said    that    she   returned      to                                 
bedside      nursing     Monday     through      Friday     at   the   tail     end   of   the                                  
COVID    surge    and    worked    extra     shifts    on   the    weekend     to   help   her                                  
nursing     brothers      and    sisters     in   the   medical-surgical          unit.    She                                  
said    the    workload     is    unsustainable,        nurses     work    all    the   time,                                   
and    there     is   no    work-life      balance.       She    fears     a  shortage       of                                 
nurses    will    interrupt      Fairbank's      way   of   life.    Nurses    wait    6  -  12                                 
weeks    while     CBPL    processes      their    licenses;       it   is   soul-crushing                                      
for    those     waiting      to    go    to    work    and     unsafe     for    patients.                                     
Patients      are    not   turned     out    in   the    street     because     nurses     are                                  
picking     up   the    slack    and    caring    for    the   dying,     tending     to   the                                  
elderly      who   await     placement      and    have    nowhere     else     to   go,   for                                  
babies     and   mothers     that    just    gave    birth,    and    for   patients      just                                  
out    of   surgery.      Hospitals      need    to   fill    position      vacancies,       so                                 
the   nurses     carrying      the    extra    load    can    be   with    their    families                                    
and   take    time   off.    Nurses     are   tired.    Alaska     needs    to   figure    out                                  
how    to    bring     nurses     to    Alaska,      license      them,     and    get    them                                  
working.      She    said    SB   83    needs    to    pass    for    Foundation       Health                                   
Partners staff and patients.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:54:56 PM                                                                                                                    
LEAH    HOPPES,      Senior     Manager/Nurse,         Emergency       Department       (ED),                                   
Fairbanks       Memorial      Hospital,       Fairbanks,        Alaska,      testified       in                                 
support     of   SB  83.   She    said   the   long    wait    for   a  temporary      Alaska                                   
license     had   affected     staff    morale     and   the   safety    of   patients     and                                  
staff.     The    Emergency      Department       has    lost    traveling      nurses     who                                  
could     have    filled     vacancies       and    closed     the    gap   on    many    open                                  
shifts. The hospital has seen:                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
-  staff     burnout     and   turnover      from    working     short    and    picking     up                                 
    extra shifts to alleviate staff shortages, and                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
-  increased       wait    times    for   a   patient     to   see   a   provider     due    to                                 
    throughput issues.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.   HOPPES     said   throughput      issues     occur    either    because     inpatient                                     
units     are     short-staffed         and    cannot      take     a   patient      to    the                                  
Emergency      Department      or   because     ED  is   short-staffed        and   the   time                                  
to complete a task takes longer than usual.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS.     HOPPES     said      the    University        of    Alaska      Fairbanks       (UAF)                                   
produces     15   to   20  nurses     each    year   and   that    ED  might     get   two   or                                 
three    of   those    nurses.     A  new   ED   nurse    takes    a  full    year   to   gain                                  
the    skills      and    confidence       to   care     for    the    sickest      patients                                    
independently.        A   quarter     of  the   nurses     left    the   ED   in  2022,    and                                  
with    them,    the   department       lost   knowledge      and    skills,     which    take                                  
time    to   replace.      The   Emergency       Department      needs     to   be   able    to                                 
recruit     and    onboard     from    outside      Alaska     promptly.      SB   83   would                                   
help, and she asked for favorable consideration of the bill.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:57:00 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR     BJORKMAN      held    SB   83   in    committee      with    public     testimony                                     
open.                                                                                                                           

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SB 83 ver A.PDF SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83
SB 83 Sectional Analysis 02.27.2023.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83
SB 83 Transmittal Letter 02.23.23.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83
SB 83 Hearing Request Memo 02.27.2023.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83
SB 83 Fiscal Note-DCCED-CBPL-02-17-23.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83
Statutes Repealed by SB 83.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83
SB 84 ver A.PDF SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 3/27/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 84
SB 84 Sectional Analysis Ver A 02.24.2023.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 3/27/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 84
SB 84 Transmittal Letter 02.27.23.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 3/27/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 84
SB 84 Hearing Request Memo 02.27.2023.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 3/27/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 84
SB 84 Fiscal Note-DCCED-DBS-02-16-23.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 3/27/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 84
Statutes Repealed by SB 84.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 3/27/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 84
SB 84 Presentation_DCCED-DBS 03.06.23.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 3/27/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 84
SB 84 Supporting Documents-DCCED-DBS White Paper 03.03.23.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 3/27/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 84
SB 83 Presentation_DCCED-CBPL 03.06.23.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83
SB 83 Supporting Documents-DCCED-CBPL White Paper 03.06.23.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83
SB 83 Supporting Documents-Letter of Support_Fresenius Medical Care.pdf SL&C 3/6/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 83