03/14/2023 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s)|| Regulatory Commission of Alaska | |
| HB78 | |
| HB30 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 14, 2023
8:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative CJ McCormick, Chair
Representative Kevin McCabe, Vice Chair
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Donna Mears
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Josiah Patkotak
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Robert Doyle - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 78
"An Act establishing September 10 as Alaska Community Health
Aide Appreciation Day."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 30
"An Act relating to daylight saving time; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 78
SHORT TITLE: AK COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE APPRECIATION DAY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MCCORMICK
02/20/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/23 (H) CRA
03/14/23 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 30
SHORT TITLE: OBSERVE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ALL YEAR
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) ORTIZ
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) CRA, STA, L&C, FIN
03/14/23 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
ROBERT DOYLE, Appointee
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Regulatory
Commission of Alaska.
CALLAN CHYTHLOOK-SIFSOF, Staff
Representative CJ McCormick
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative McCormick,
prime sponsor, introduced HB 78 and gave a PowerPoint
presentation, titled "HB 78 Establishing Alaska Community Health
Aide Appreciation Day."
JESSICA HYATT, Community Relations Advocate
Guardian Flight Alaska
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 78.
CAROLYN CRAIG, PA-C, Director
Community Health Aide Program
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 78.
JENNY BROWN, Instructor
Clinical Training
Tanana Chiefs Conference
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 78.
ASELA CALHOUN, PhD, Director
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
Bethel, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 78.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 30.
CAROLINE HAMP, Staff
Representative Dan Ortiz
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
30, on behalf of Representative Ortiz, prime sponsor.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:05:10 AM
CHAIR CJ MCCORMICK called the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
Representatives McKay, Himschoot, Mears, McCabe, and McCormick
were present at the call to order. Representative Ruffridge
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
^Regulatory Commission of Alaska
CONSIDERATION OF GOVERNOR'S APPOINTEES
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
8:06:08 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the first order of business would
be the consideration of the governor's appointees.
8:07:12 AM
ROBERT DOYLE, Appointee, Regulatory Commission of Alaska,
testified as an appointee to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska
(RCA). He expressed his intention to accept the opportunity for
community service, as he came out of retirement to do so. He
thanked the committee for its consideration and welcomed any
questions.
8:07:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS asked for a synopsis of Mr. Doyle's
background in relation to this consideration.
MR. DOYLE explained that he worked 31 years in public schools in
Alaska, and for the past five years he was superintendent of the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD). After
retirement, he served on the Matanuska Electric Association
(MEA) Board of Directors for 12 years, which included serving
several years as secretary and treasurer. During the time with
MSBSD, he stated that he worked on energy issues and contributed
to doing whatever needed to be done to make sure things were
completed in a safe, reliable, and affordable way so that more
money could be spent on education.
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS expressed her appreciation for his
experience on the utility board.
8:09:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE questioned Mr. Doyle's opinion on the move
toward renewable electric utilities by Golden Valley Electric
Association (GVEA) and MEA.
MR. DOYLE replied that during the time he served MEA's board,
the solar power project in Willow was just beginning. He stated
that the key is connectivity and making sure the independent
power producers and the movement to renewable power could be
done in a reliable way. He discussed variability, as there must
be a back-up to make sure battery storage would be able to
offset when there is no wind or no sun. He expressed pride in
working to keep the renewable projects reliable, affordable, and
safe.
8:11:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE expressed appreciation for Mr. Doyle's
commitment to sustainable energy and asked if the wind turbines
in northern Matanuska-Susitna Valley or Denali would be able to
compensate for the shutdown of Golden Valley Electric
Association or Healy Electric.
MR. DOYLE replied that this is GVEA's plan, and Chugach Electric
Association is looking at wind and solar power. For energy
security purposes in the short term, there is MEA natural gas
and a generator, and this would help in Chugach. He stated that
the future goal is to open wind and solar power to all areas
from Fairbanks to Kenai.
8:14:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE expressed the opinion that the intertie is
most likely an "extension cord" running from Homer to Fairbanks.
He asked whether Mr. Doyle would support a $1.2 billion increase
in electrical lines through the RCA. He also asked about his
stance on nuclear power.
MR. DOYLE explained that all sources of power need to be looked
at and to have everyone come to the table and gather all the
facts. The rate payers do not expect anything less, and he
expressed support for the development of a good "backbone." He
stated that there should be a redundant system, so if there is a
problem with one power line there is a backup.
8:17:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE questioned some of the current issues
for RCA.
MR. DOYLE replied that the open dockets cannot be discussed.
Other than that, one of the big concerns is energy security
throughout the state. He stated that the focus needs to be on
the rural cooperatives, to make sure they are operating
efficiently. Other major concerns are school closures during
power outages, senior citizens being without lights, and
washeterias not working. He stressed again that energy security
is foremost on his mind.
8:19:44 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK stated the House Community and Regional Affairs
committee has reviewed the qualifications of the governor's
appointee and recommends that the following name be forwarded to
a joint session for consideration: Robert Doyle, Regulatory
Commission of Alaska. He said that signing the report regarding
appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects an
individual member's approval or disapproval of the appointee,
and the nomination is merely forwarded to the full legislature
for confirmation or rejection.
8:20:40 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:20 a.m. to 8:23 a.m.
HB 78-AK COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE APPRECIATION DAY
8:23:28 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 78, "An Act establishing September 10 as
Alaska Community Health Aide Appreciation Day."
8:23:42 AM
CALLAN CHYTHLOOK-SIFSOF, Staff, Representative CJ McCormick,
Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative McCormick,
prime sponsor, introduced HB 78 and gave a PowerPoint
presentation, titled "HB 78 Establishing Alaska Community Health
Aide Appreciation Day" [hard copy included in the committee
packet]. She provided her background and personal connection to
the health aide community. She explained that the Community
Health Aide Program is unique to the state and was established
out of necessity, and its role is very complex. Community
health aides are often on call at all hours and are critical for
the doctors and nurses traveling to rural villages. In the
1950s, during the tuberculosis epidemic, the profession began
out of necessity to ensure medication and medical care was
received in rural communities. She pointed out that September
10 commemorates the first Planning and Advisory Committee
meeting for Health Aide Programs in Alaska. She reiterated that
community health aides are the "trust" for rural Alaska in the
medical care system, and she thanked the committee for its time.
8:29:30 AM
MS. CHYTHLOOK-SIFSOF, in response to Representative McCabe,
stated that the Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) training is
fairly extensive, consisting of weeks of training at one of four
hubs: Anchorage, Bethel, Nome, or Fairbanks. In response to a
follow-up question, she explained that the wages for aides
depend on each community, and sometimes they will not receive
pay for all the time they are on call.
8:31:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS expressed privilege to have worked for the
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium early in her career. She
stated that she was able to experience firsthand the facilities
and the care provided to communities. She expressed support for
HB 78.
8:32:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked for a description of what a day
looks like for a health aide.
MS. CHYTHLOOK-SIFSOF spoke of her personal knowledge through her
mother's work as a health aide. She explained the close work
with the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO), stating that the
aide and VSPO were the primary responsibility for all crises.
She stated that aides not only provide medical attention but are
also part of the law and order in a community. Health aides are
sometimes required to go house to house if a village does not
have a clinic. This entails helping the elderly and responding
to trauma.
8:34:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT questioned whether health aides are
mandatory reporters.
CHAIR MCCORMICK deferred to invited testimony.
8:35:47 AM
JESSICA HYATT, Community Relations Advocate, Guardian Flight
Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of HB 78, on behalf of
CHAP. She explained that Guardian Flight Alaska works shoulder
to shoulder with CHAP on a daily basis. She explained Alaska
pioneered the CHAP program, and the work of the aides is
tireless and around the clock. She reiterated that September 10
is a significant date, and it should be recognized.
8:39:23 AM
CAROLYN CRAIG, PA-C, Director, Community Health Aide Program,
gave invited testimony in support of HB 78 and provided her
background. She described the CHAP program as unique, amazing,
and proven effective at providing culturally competent and
quality healthcare for remote and underserved areas throughout
Alaska. She noted that 15 weeks is the total training an aide
must complete, and this is broken down into four sessions. In
2015, a distance learning program for basic training had been
started, and this has allowed students to complete portions of
their training at home, minimizing their time away. The program
has also gained both national and international attention. She
explained that health aides deal with many hardships, which
remain unheard, and it is a "24/7" job. She thanked the
committee and offered to answer any questions.
8:45:22 AM
JENNY BROWN, Instructor, Clinical Training, Tanana Chiefs
Conference, provided a brief background, and explained her time
working with many rural and under-resourced medical providers,
compared to other parts of the state. She stated that the group
which gains the most respect are the community health aides.
She explained that the situations vary greatly from region to
region, and they provide essential medical care to the villages
without any advanced degrees. She encouraged the committee to
establish an annual Community Health Aide Recognition Day that
will remind Alaskans to acknowledge these health care providers.
8:47:53 AM
ASELA CALHOUN, PhD, Director, Yukon Kuskokwim Health
Corporation, provided a brief background and expressed
appreciation for the CHAP program and for the work of health
aides. She described her personal connections with many health
aide workers and recognized the tremendous amount of quality
work they do. She gave an overview of communities served, and a
brief breakdown of which ones also have a clinic. She
reiterated that the program has become a model that is imitated
nationwide, and she stated it is fitting that community health
aides be recognized as the pillars of health care in remote
Alaska and honored with a day of recognition.
8:52:48 AM
DR. CALHOUN continued and gave examples of survey outcomes,
noting that the program is widely described as "a very personal
and deeply held tradition for the community." She also noted
that being an aide is generational; children become aides
because their parents were aides, and so on. It is a pattern
that has been repeated multiple times. In closing, she offered
her support to dedicating a day in recognition to community
health aides. In response to the question from REPRESENTATIVE
HIMSCHOOT concerning whether health aides are mandatory
reporters, she replied that they are required like any other
health professional.
8:56:50 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:56 a.m. to 8:58 a.m.
8:58:27 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that HB 78 was held over.
8:58:53 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:58 a.m. to 9:02 a.m.
HB 30-OBSERVE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ALL YEAR
9:02:57 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 30, "An Act relating to daylight saving time;
and providing for an effective date."
9:03:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 30. He began by explaining that if
enacted, HB 30 would establish Daylight Saving Time (DST) as the
official year-round time for Alaska. It is currently observed
between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday of
November. He explained the benefits of staying in DST, which
include increased physical activity, a decrease in robberies, an
increase in economic spending, and a decrease in fatal car
crashes. He stated that included in the committee packet are
supporting documents and public support. He referred to the
sponsor statement [copy included in the committee packet], which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
House Bill 30 establishes Daylight Saving Time (DST)
as the official time for the State of Alaska year-
round, subject to the authorization of federal law.
DST is observed between the second Sunday of March and
the first Sunday of November. Adoption of this
legislation is the first step. To fully implement the
change to full-time DST, action by the United States
Congress is required. Congress will need to amend
federal law to allow states to observe DST throughout
the calendar year.
Nationally, the initiative to change to full-time DST
is gaining traction. As of March 2022, 18 states have
enacted DST legislation. In 2022 alone, 28 states are
considering DST legislation. On the west coast,
California voters authorized the change pending
legislation and in 2019, both Washington and Oregon
passed legislation similar to HB30. Our Canadian
neighbors have also taken steps to move to full-time
DST. British Columbia passed legislation to implement
full-time DST contingent on the U.S. west coast also
implementing it. Yukon began full-time DST on March 8,
2020.
Because of our close economic and geographic ties to
the U.S. and Canadian west coasts, Alaska can avoid
being 'left in the dark' by passing HB30.
9:07:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ acknowledged that a permanent move to DST
could create some concern, particularly in the western part of
the state, as it already has a late sunrise. He noted that
support has been received from Anchorage and Southeast Alaska.
He thanked the committee and welcomed any questions.
9:08:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE referenced electronic devices which
automatically change for DST. He questioned whether they can be
reprogrammed.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ expressed uncertainty but would follow up
to the committee.
CHAIR MCCORMICK expressed the understanding that the devices can
be reset with an Internet connection.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ agreed with Chair McCormick. He continued
to explain HB 30 is not about a preference between standard time
versus DST, rather he expressed concern if [Pacific Standard
Time] changes. He expressed the opinion that this would put
Alaska out of synch.
9:11:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE referenced support for the Sunshine
Protection Act in the U.S. Congress. He questioned whether
there would be a companion resolution from the Alaska State
Legislature to encourage the U.S. Congress to pass this.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ expressed interest in the possibility.
9:12:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS reflected on time changes over the years.
She acknowledged the vastness of the state and expressed concern
about how the time change would affect the western part of the
state.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE, in reference to Representative Mears's
comments, questioned returning to some sort of split in the time
zone for the western part of the state.
CAROLINE HAMP, Staff, Representative Dan Ortiz, Alaska State
Legislature, replied that it is ultimately a federal decision
for a state to have multiple time zones.
9:17:14 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK questioned the original purpose of DST and asked
if it was to benefit farmers.
MS. HAMP replied that originally DST was a measure to help with
light and the ability to do day-to-day tasks without burning
candles or using electricity. The time change, she stated, was
never supported by farmers and is not to this day.
CHAIR MCCORMICK asked if energy consumption increases during
DST.
MS. HAMP referred to a study which shows very little difference
in energy cost and consumption. She offered to follow up with a
copy of the study to the committee.
9:19:22 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that HB 30 was held over.
9:19:44 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:19 a.m. to 9:21 a.m.
9:21:29 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 9:22 a.m.