Legislature(2025 - 2026)DAVIS 106
05/06/2025 03:15 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR17 | |
| HB185 | |
| HB141 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 185 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 141 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
May 6, 2025
3:22 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Genevieve Mina, Chair
Representative Andrew Gray
Representative Zack Fields
Representative Donna Mears
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Representative Rebecca Schwanke
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17
Urging the United States Congress to pass the Ensuring Lasting
Smiles Act; and urging lawmakers to advocate for policies that
guarantee equitable access to vital healthcare.
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 185
"An Act relating to medical assistance eligibility for family
planning services; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 141
"An Act relating to universal changing facilities in public
buildings."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 17
SHORT TITLE: FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GALVIN
04/09/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/09/25 (H) HSS
05/06/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 185
SHORT TITLE: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE; FAMILY PLANNING
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HALL
04/11/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/11/25 (H) HSS, FIN
05/06/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 141
SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC BUILDINGS: CHANGING FACILITIES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CARRICK
03/21/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/25 (H) HSS, L&C
04/15/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
04/15/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/22/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
04/22/25 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
05/01/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
05/01/25 (H) Heard & Held
05/01/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
05/06/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE ALYSE GALVIN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HJR 17.
EMILY BRUBAKER, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 17.
BRIAN BRUBAKER, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 17.
LLANA KERSCHBAUM, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 17.
REPRESENTATIVE CAROLYN HALL
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of HB 185, gave the
prepared sponsor statement.
JAYLY JACKSON, Staff
Representative Carolyn Hall
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Hall, prime
sponsor, answered questions during the hearing on HB 185.
KRISTIN DELFINO, Division Operations Manager
Division of Healthcare Services
Department of Health
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
185.
CLAUDIA HAINES, CEO
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB
185.
ROBIN HOLMES, MD, Medical Director
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB
185.
GRIFFIN SUKKAEW, Staff
Representative Ashley Carrick
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Carrick, prime
sponsor, gave a summary of changes from Version A to Version N
of HB 141.
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of HB 141, answered
questions during the hearing on HB 141.
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
141.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:22:21 PM
CHAIR GENEVIEVE MINA called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:22 p.m.
Representatives Gray, Mears, Prax, Ruffridge, Schwanke, and Mina
were present at the call to order. Representative Fields
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HJR 17-FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT
3:22:59 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17, Urging the United States Congress
to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act; and urging lawmakers to
advocate for policies that guarantee equitable access to vital
healthcare.
3:23:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALYSE GALVIN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HJR 17. She noted that the other body is
currently considering the same resolution. She read the
prepared sponsor statement [included in the committee file] for
HJR 17, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
House Joint Resolution 17 urges the United States
Congress to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
(ELSA). Currently, individuals born with congenital
anomalies, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and other
conditions, can be denied coverage by private medical
insurance companies for treatment that is medically
necessary. ELSA will close the federal loophole that
allows insurance companies to deny coverage to
individuals who are faced with a lifetime of
surgeries, speech therapy, dental care, and other
medical needs.
Families in Alaska with children who have congenital
dental anomalies are faced with an extraordinary cost
burden. The financial costs can exceed $100,000 with
care denied based on the misconception that the dental
work is cosmetic. Dental health impacts overall health
and well-being. Missing or malformed teeth, cleft lip
and cleft palate, cause a myriad of health problems.
Missing teeth can affect speech patterns and the
ability to chew food, potentially resulting in
nutritional deficiencies. Cleft lip and cleft palate
can lead to difficulties with speech, feeding, and
breathing. Congenital dental anomalies also carry a
large psychological impact and my contribute to social
isolation and negative self-perception.
All individuals should be able to access necessary
medical and dental care without the fear of an
excessive financial burden. I ask for the Alaska State
Legislature's support of HJR 17 and urge the Alaska
Congressional Delegation to champion this legislation
to close the federal loophole that denies essential
dental treatment to individuals affected by congenital
anomalies.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN further noted that the Anchorage Assembly
has passed a similar resolution to HJR 17 and that ELSA has also
been reintroduced in the 119th Congress with bipartisan
sponsorship in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
3:27:19 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on HJR 17.
3:27:41 PM
EMILY BRUBAKER, representing self, shared that she was diagnosed
with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and she has been
advocating for ELSA since she was six years old. She said that
currently insurance companies classify medical procedures for
cleft lips and cleft palates as cosmetic. She emphasized that
ELSA would close a loophole that allows such procedures to be
classified as cosmetic and unnecessary. She stated that the
out-of-pocket costs for procedures that she would need to have
in the future would cost over $100,000 without ELSA.
Additionally, she stated there are other medical conditions for
which ELSA would apply.
3:30:27 PM
BRIAN BRUBAKER, representing self, stated that he is the father
of Emily Brubaker and emphasized the extreme out-of-pocket costs
his family has faced for her healthcare. He asserted that
dentistry healthcare is not cosmetic. He thanked the committee
for considering HJR 17.
3:31:44 PM
LLANA KERSCHBAUM, representing self, testified in support of HJR
17. She stated she has a son with a rare medical condition
called oligodontia. She stated that the medical treatments
required for her son's condition would be very costly and would
not be covered by health insurance. She stated that she was
advised to find between $100,000 and $150,000 for her son's
medically necessary procedures. Additionally, she noted that
there were no specialists in Alaska at the time of her son's
diagnosis. She described the extensive care that she has sought
for her son outside of the state, as well as the many procedures
to come. She noted that the affected population is a minority,
but that other families like hers are currently being denied
healthcare that is not optional.
3:35:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked for clarification about the insurance
coverage that Ms. Kerschbaum received.
MS. KERSCHBAUM replied that her family were insured through
AETNA and her insurance as a teacher. She reiterated that
private insurers consider all the treatments her son needs as
cosmetic.
MS. KERSCHBAUM, in response to a follow-up from Representative
Prax, clarified that her son had coverage from birth and was
dual insured.
3:38:58 PM
CHAIR MINA, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HJR 17.
3:39:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE sought clarification that HJR 17
applied to private insurance. He asked if the goals of HJR 17
could be better accomplished by the legislature under Title 21,
rather than a resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN replied that her constituent, Ms. Emily
Brubaker, noted that there is a loophole at the federal level,
allowing for private insurance companies to still not cover
necessary dentistry care for patients. She said that she has
not explored what could be done at the state level, through
Title 21.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE shared concern over the "piece-meal"
insurance system and noted that dental and vision insurance
typically does not cover enough.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN reiterated testimony from Ms. Kerschbaum,
providing the example that if her son had been in a car accident
and required dental work, that would be considered medically
necessary dental work. She added that ELSA affects thousands of
individuals across the nation. She said that she would be happy
to work offline with Representative Ruffridge to consider
legislation at the state level.
3:43:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY offered agreement with Representative
Ruffridge and considered making a motion to move HJR 17 from
committee.
3:43:48 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:43 p.m. to 3:44 p.m.
3:44:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY agreed that it is not a good idea to move
HJR 17 from committee at this time.
3:44:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX stated that he was surprised because he
believed, under state statute, congenital abnormalities and
birth defects are supposed to be covered by insurance. He said
that he previously worked for an insurance company that covered
congenital abnormalities, including cleft palates.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN noted that two separate insurance
companies turned away the previous affected testifiers due to
their recommended procedures being classified as cosmetic.
3:46:31 PM
CHAIR MINA said that there may be a difference in state statutes
regarding coverage for congenital defects at birth versus an
ongoing medical condition.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said that if HJR 17 is held over, it would
be worth the committee's time to hear from the Division of
Insurance to clear up concerns.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN noted that, in some cases, the medical
conditions were not evident at birth and that may have impacted
insurance coverage.
3:48:17 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that HJR 17 was held over.
HB 185-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE; FAMILY PLANNING
3:48:31 PM
CO-CHAIR MINA announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 185, "An Act relating to medical assistance
eligibility for family planning services; and providing for an
effective date."
3:49:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CAROLYN HALL, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, gave the sponsor statement for HB 185 [included in the
committee file], which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
House Bill 185 will create a Family Planning State
Plan Amendment that expands Medicaid coverage to
provide family planning services to Alaskans. Since
2001, Alaska has had the highest rate of infant
mortality and rising preterm birth rates in the U.S..
Currently, Alaskans at or below 138% of the federal
poverty level (FPL) qualify for full Medicaid
coverage. To qualify for Medicaid pregnancy coverage,
Alaskans must be at 200% FPL. This bill would expand
the eligibility limits to 225% FPL. HB 185 will be a
cost-effective investment for Alaska, the Federal
Government pays 90% of Medicaid's family planning
services, with a 10% match from the state. The state
will save $7 for every one dollar it spends on family
planning for unintended pregnancy costs and long-term
social services costs under Medicaid expansion. The
Family State Plan Amendment will improve birth
outcomes, empower Alaskans to decide whether to grow
their families, and reduce infant mortality and
preterm birth rates. Additionally, with this expansion
of Medicaid, preventive screenings for STIs, HIV,
cervical, and breast cancers will be included.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to a PowerPoint presentation, titled,
"House Bill 185: Medical Assistance Eligibility for Family
Planning Services" [hard copy in the committee file]. She moved
to slide 2, an introduction, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
? Federal Government pays 90% of
Medicaid family planning services;
10% match from the state.
? State will save $7 for every one dollar spent
on family planning.
? The SPA will:
? improve birth outcomes
? empower Alaskans to decide whether to grow
their families
? reduce infant mortality and preterm birth
rates.
? Additional services: preventive screenings for
sexually transmitted infections, HIV, & cervical and
breast cancers.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to slide 3, an overview of a state
plan amendment, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
? An agreement between a state & the Federal
government describing how the state administers its
Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs
(CHIP).
? Assures a state will abide by Federal rules & may
claim matching funds.
? The state plan sets out groups of individuals to be
covered, services to be provided, methodologies for
providers to be reimbursed and the administrative
activities that are underway in the state.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to slide 4, titled "Why do we need a
Family Planning State Plan Amendment (SPA) in Alaska?" She read
the bullet points from slide 4, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
? Highest rates of infant mortality in U.S. since
2001.
? Alaska's preterm birth rate is rising among Medicaid
enrollees.
? Currently, eligible Medicaid families are at 138% of
the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to slide 5, an overview of the federal
poverty line, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
? Indicates the minimum amount of annual income that
an individual / family needs to pay for essentials.
? Based on the size of a household and where someone
lives.
? Alaska and Hawaii have higher Federal Poverty Levels
due to the higher cost of living. To qualify for
Medicaid pregnancy coverage Alaskans must meet 200%
FPL. HB185 would expand eligibility limits to 225%.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to slide 6, titled "Where did the 225%
come from?" She read the bullet points from slide 6, which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
? Model language for the 225% FPL was inspired by 2023
legislation: HCS SB 58.
? HCS SB 58 extended postpartum Medicaid coverage for
new mothers from 60 days to 12 months.
Goal: lower and eliminate Alaska's high rate of infant
mortality.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to slide 7 and drew committee members'
attention to a line graph representative of preterm birth rates
in Alaska and the United States from 2000 - 2023. She noted the
increase in preterm births in Alaska since 2012, particularly
for Alaska Natives.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to slide 8 and gave an overview of
infant mortality rates in Alaska. Slide 8 read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
? Based on data from the Alaska Department of Health
(DOH) Alaska's infant mortality rate is "43-83 deaths
per year."
? The DOH reported that deaths within 27 days
("neonatal mortality rate") have been lower than the
U.S. average and deaths from 28 days to 1 year
("postneonatal mortality rates") have been higher than
the U.S. average.
? 2022: "Alaska's infant mortality rate per 1,000 live
births: 6.6 (35th nationally); U.S. average: 5.6."
? 2023: "Alaska's infant mortality rate per 1,000 live
births: 7.3 U.S.: 5.6"
3:58:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL, in response to a question from
Representative Prax, stated that the maximum income for
eligibility would be 225 percent of the federal poverty line
under HB 185.
3:59:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked, under HB 185, what mechanism
would reduce the number of preterm births.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL responded that the mechanism would be
increased family planning services, available in person or via
telehealth. She noted that HB 185 would particularly help those
living in rural Alaska, increasing their access to healthcare.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE noted that the opportunity for induced
births has increased in rural Alaska and that it is very common
for rural Alaskans to be asked to come into towns early to
prepare for birth. She asserted that preterm births could be
intentionally done.
4:01:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY noted that the fiscal note is very large and
stated his confusion regarding it. He listed the costs of
several contraceptives. He asked where the high cost of HB 185
would come from.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL deferred to her staff to answer
Representative Gray's question.
4:03:24 PM
JAYLY JACKSON, Staff, Representative Carolyn Hall, on behalf of
Representative Hall, prime sponsor, noted that there are two
fiscal notes. He said that part of the cost is related to
administrative services and part is for the actual Medicaid
services. He deferred to the Department of Health (DOH) to
answer the remainder of Representative Gray's question.
4:04:24 PM
KRISTIN DELFINO, Division Operations Manager, Division of
Healthcare Services, Department of Health, explained that the
fiscal note was calculated by generating the range of
individuals [2,800 to 4,200] that may be eligible under the
proposed legislation. She said that the average of that range,
3,500, was multiplied by the average cost for the current
individuals eligible for family planning services, which is
about $600.
4:05:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked if the fiscal note covers only the
costs, not savings, of HB 185.
MS. DELFINO confirmed that is correct.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS responded that this is part of a
structural problem, which extends beyond HB 185.
4:06:24 PM
MS. DELFINO, in response to questions from Representative Gray,
explained that $600 is the current average annual cost per
Medicaid member for family planning services. She stated that
$600 was then used to calculate the fiscal note for HB 185. Ms.
Delfino stated that it was anticipated that the 3,500 would be
new individuals not currently covered by Medicaid. She added
that people on Medicaid already receive birth control and family
planning services.
4:09:56 PM
MS. DELFINO, in response to Representative Prax, stated that the
fiscal impact was calculated under the assumption that the 3,500
new individuals would be eligible only for family planning
services under Medicaid.
4:10:56 PM
CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony.
4:11:19 PM
CLAUDIA HAINES, CEO, stated that Kachemak Bay Family Planning
Clinic (KBFPC) provides reproductive healthcare, sexual health
education, and family planning services to individuals with low
incomes. She said that reproductive healthcare is vital to a
person's wellbeing. She stated that 66 percent of KBFPC clients
rely on KBFPC for their healthcare and have no other primary
care provider, 30 percent are covered by Medicaid, and 24
percent have no insurance coverage. She added that since last
July, over 100 women have enrolled in the Alaska Breast and
Cervical Screening Assistance Program and many more have
received cancer screenings and follow-up care because of the
program. Ms. Haines stated that Alaskans experience high
sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates and high infant
mortality rates, which are directly linked to lack of access to
family planning services. She said that addressing these
serious public health issues requires long-term solutions and
strong partnerships.
4:14:29 PM
ROBIN HOLMES, MD, Medical Director, Kachemak Bay Family Planning
Clinic, said that preterm births from induction are due to
pregnancy complications. She stated that clients at her clinic
come to the clinic because of the accessibility. She said that
even if family planning services are guaranteed under Medicaid,
many clients do not go to primary physicians for several
reasons, including long distances and a lack of sliding scale
services. She stated that her clinic provides STI screening,
cervical screening, contraceptives, and family planning. She
described her typical day at the KBFPC and the variety of
resources she may provide in just one day. She said she
believes it is important to eliminate as many barriers as
possible to family planning services.
4:18:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE noted that there is administrative code
that defines a family planning service. He asked how that term
would be defined under HB 185.
4:19:44 PM
MS. DELFINO replied that she would get back to the committee.
4:20:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE requested a definition of child-bearing
age. He stated that he was under the impression that the
proposed legislation would only apply to women and asked if it
would also cover men.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL responded yes.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked what the [reproductive age range]
is for men.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL responded that she does not know but that is
a very good question.
4:22:20 PM
DR. HOLMES replied that under Title X, there are federal
definitions. She noted that men are [in reproductive range] for
a long time. She said that if a man could get an individual
pregnant or pass on an STI, then he is deserving of her clinic's
services. She emphasized that it is important for men to also
have access to family planning services.
4:24:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE referenced a bill from the Thirty-Third
Alaska State Legislature regarding increasing the upper limit
for receiving family planning coverage to 225 percent of the
federal poverty line. He said that legislation expanded
coverage to people who are pregnant. He asked what the goal is
of providing care to people before they become pregnant.
REPRESENTATIVE HALL responded that the goal of HB 185 is to
provide preventative care. She emphasized that STIs, cervical
and breast cancer screenings are all important services for an
individual to access before having a family.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked for clarification that the
proposed legislation is not expansion for all Medicaid services,
just family planning services.
4:26:35 PM
MS. DELFINO replied that that is correct and the fiscal note was
calculated based on that assumption.
4:27:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE noted that Alaska has a lower-than-
average infant mortality rate for infants under 28 days old, but
higher for infants between 28 days and 12 months old. She asked
what might be causing that.
4:28:03 PM
DR. HOLMES replied that she was unsure. She noted that there
are a lot of babies born prematurely and spend more time in
hospitals and, upon returning home, they have less access to
resources.
4:29:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said that this conversation is analogous to
the baby box conversation. He stated that it makes sense to
expand care for pre-pregnant women and that it is important to
have established care before becoming pregnant.
4:30:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL, in response to Representative Prax, stated
that other screenings could include STI screenings, breast and
cervical cancer screenings. She further deferred to Dr. Holmes.
DR. HOLMES responded that most of the evidence for lowering
infant mortality rates involves improving birth conditions and
reducing preterm births. She said that while birth control is
one important aspect of healthy family planning, it is not the
only. She said other services include STI screenings and
cervical/breast cancer screenings. She noted that Alaska has
very high rates of STIs compared to the rest of country,
including gonorrhea and syphilis.
4:32:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL, in response to a series of questions from
Representative Prax, stated that Senate Bill 58 from the 33rd
Legislature covered expansion of services for pregnant people.
She said that requiring insurance to cover birth control would
be a different concept. She noted that the proposed legislation
would expand only Medicaid family planning services.
Representative Hall added that HB 185 would expand services to
people who are not covered by insurance and that approximately
3,500 Alaskans would have greater access to healthcare, which
would address the high infant mortality rates.
4:36:52 PM
CHAIR MINA noted there was a public health notice put out last
year encouraging people of child-bearing age to get tested for
STIs, given that Alaska has some of the highest rates of
syphilis in particular.
[HB 185 was held over.]
HB 141-PUBLIC BUILDINGS: CHANGING FACILITIES
4:37:36 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 141, "An Act relating to universal changing
facilities in public buildings."
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 141, labeled 34-LS0610\N, A. Radford,
5/4/25, as the working document.
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
4:38:36 PM
GRIFFIN SUKKAEW, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, on behalf
of Representative Carrick, prime sponsor, gave a summary of
changes from Version A to Version N of HB 141. He stated that
version N would change the word bathroom to restroom, which
conforms to statute. He stated that Section 1 of Version N
expands on the reasons that public restrooms may be exempt from
having a universal changing facility, further defining
"practicable".
4:40:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY noted concern about universities being
required to have many universal changing facilities.
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature,
suggested that the language of Version N is suitably narrow.
She said that she would be open to clarifying that "not
practicable" would include having too many buildings in a given
area. She emphasized that the intention of HB 141 would be to
increase access to universal changing rooms.
4:41:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, in response to Representative Prax,
stated that she hopes the changes in Version N of HB 141 would
generate a lower and more determinate fiscal note.
4:42:11 PM
CHAIR MINA [treated her previous objection for the purpose of
discussion as removed]. There being no further objection,
Version N was before the committee.
4:42:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY referenced the prior fiscal note of $75,000.
He noted that the portable changing table costs about $1,500.
He considered whether the fiscal note could be changed to only
include portable changing facilities.
4:43:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX made suggestions based on a survey of the
public restroom facilities in the Capitol building and the Terry
Miller Legislative Building. He said that 3 portable changing
facilities could cover those two buildings for a cost that would
be suitable for him. He said 40 changing facilities could be
enough, rather than installing 200 across the state, and that
could achieve the objective of HB 141 more quickly.
4:45:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK said that she believes the language of HB
141 is sufficiently broad. She said that HB 141 would support
the installation of portable universal changing facilities; they
do not have to be permanently installed to a building.
4:47:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said that the difference between this and
installing ramps, for example, is that a freestanding table
could be moved in and out of the bathroom. He said that HB 141
would have to be treated like an Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) compliance issue. He asked how willing the sponsor would
be to change the fiscal note of HB 141 from $38 million to
$200,000.
4:48:38 PM
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, responded that
portable changing tables would be an excellent solution to
consider. He added that portable tables still need storage
solutions. He noted that the funding in fiscal note is based on
the universal changing facility installation at the Ted Stevens
Anchorage International Airport. He said he believes the
language of HB 141 is broad enough to include portable changing
facilities.
4:50:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY referred to page 2, lines 4-5, in Section 1
of Version N of HB 141. He asked if a loophole could be to
change the designation of a public restroom to a non-public
restroom prior to renovations.
MR. MILLS responded that this language could be updated.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK said that she would like to further work
with DOT&PF and committee members to look at other solutions to
achieve the intent of HB 141. She said that she sees value in
considering portable changing tables but appreciates Mr. Mills
logistical concerns.
4:52:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY noted that were the money available, they
would make all universal changing facilities permanent. He
emphasized that, due to budget concerns, the committee needs to
find the cheapest solution, even if it is not the most ideal
solution.
4:53:40 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on HB 141. After
ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, she
closed public testimony.
4:54:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX referenced the issue of a roundabout in
Fairbanks. He said that he believes a blinking yellow light
might have solved most of the issue, as opposed to the very
expensive installation of a roundabout. He expressed
apprehension regarding DOT&PF's involvement in another issue.
He asked for a survey to help reduce the potential cost of HB
141.
4:55:49 PM
MR. MILLS responded that DOH has obtained a comprehensive
dataset regarding how roundabouts improve safety. He said that
DOT&PF is open to surveying more locations to better understand
the logistics of different public buildings.
MR. MILLS, in response to Representative Prax, stated that
DOT&PF always appreciates flexibility. He said he would like to
do research on portable tables and to find out if there is
liability associated with portable changing tables in highly
trafficked areas.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX responded that he understands that universal
changing facilities are not a federally driven requirement. He
said that there is some need to be addressed.
4:59:28 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that HB 141 was held over.
4:59:47 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 4:59 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 17 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 17 |
| HJR 17 Version A.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 17 |
| HB 185 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB0185A.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 Supporting Documents.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 141 Draft CS Version N 05.05.25.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 141 |
| HB 185 Presentation.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB185-DOH-PAFS-5-2-25.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB185-DOH-MS-05-2-25.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 Combined Bill Packet 05.05.25.pdf |
HHSS 5/6/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 185 |