04/12/2023 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Construction Tax Fraud | |
| HB149 | |
| HB21 | |
| HB86 | |
| HB88 | |
| HB112 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 149 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 88 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 112 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 86 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 12, 2023
3:16 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jesse Sumner, Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Stanley Wright
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Zack Fields
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative George Rauscher
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: CONSTRUCTION TAX FRAUD
- HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 149
"An Act relating to the licensure of nursing professionals;
relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact; and providing
for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 21
"An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance
coverage for school district employees, employees of the
University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units
in the state; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 86
"An Act relating to the business of money transmission; relating
to money transmission licenses, licensure requirements, and
registration through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System
and Registry; relating to the use of virtual currency for money
transmission; relating to authorized delegates of a licensee;
relating to acquisition of control of a license; relating to
record retention and reporting requirements; authorizing the
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to
cooperate with other states in the regulation of money
transmission; relating to permissible investments; relating to
violations and enforcement of money transmission laws; relating
to money transmission license exemptions; relating to payroll
processing services; repealing currency exchange licenses; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 86 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 88
"An Act relating to work quotas for employees at warehouse
distribution centers; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 112
"An Act relating to the Board of Pharmacy; relating to the
practice of pharmacy; relating to pharmacies; relating to
prescription drug manufacturers; relating to prescriptions for
epinephrine; relating to the administration of epinephrine; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 149
SHORT TITLE: NURSING: LICENSURE; MULTISTATE COMPACT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) PRAX
03/31/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/31/23 (H) MLV, L&C
04/03/23 (H) MLV REFERRAL MOVED TO AFTER L&C
04/03/23 (H) BILL REPRINTED
04/07/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/07/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/12/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 21
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) VANCE
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) CRA, EDC, L&C
01/27/23 (H) CRA REFERRAL REMOVED
01/27/23 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/13/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/13/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/27/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/27/23 (H) Moved HB 21 Out of Committee
03/27/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/29/23 (H) EDC RPT 2DP 4NR
03/29/23 (H) DP: MCKAY, ALLARD
03/29/23 (H) NR: HIMSCHOOT, STORY, PRAX, RUFFRIDGE
04/03/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/03/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/05/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/05/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/12/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 86
SHORT TITLE: MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/27/23 (H) L&C, FIN
03/08/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/08/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/08/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/17/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/17/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/17/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/03/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/03/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/05/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/05/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/10/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/10/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/10/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/12/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 88
SHORT TITLE: WAREHOUSE WORK QUOTA INFORMATION
SPONSOR(s): RAUSCHER
02/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/27/23 (H) L&C, JUD
03/29/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/29/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/29/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/10/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/10/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/12/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 112
SHORT TITLE: PROFESSION OF PHARMACY
SPONSOR(s): RUFFRIDGE
03/13/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/13/23 (H) HSS, L&C
03/23/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/23/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/23/23 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/28/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/28/23 (H) Moved HB 112 Out of Committee
03/28/23 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/29/23 (H) HSS RPT 5DP
03/29/23 (H) DP: MINA, RUFFRIDGE, SUMNER, FIELDS,
PRAX
04/05/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/05/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/10/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/10/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/10/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/12/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
CHRIS DIMOND, Regional Manager
Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint, titled
"Construction Industry Tax Fraud."
GABE SHADDY-FARNSWORTH, Representative
Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint Presentation
titled "Construction Industry Tax Fraud."
RILEY NYE, Staff
Representative Mike Prax
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Prax, prime
sponsor, co-presented a PowerPoint presentation, titled "House
Bill 149: Nurse Licensure Compact" and answered questions on HB
149.
SYLVAN ROBB, Director
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint presentation,
titled "House Bill 149: Nurse Licensure Compact" and answered
questions on HB 149.
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 21 via a
PowerPoint presentation, titled "HB 21 School Healthcare
Consolidation."
RANDY TRANI, PhD, Superintendent
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 21 and
answered questions.
BETSY WOOD, Chief Health Administrator
Division of Retirement and Benefits
Department of Administration
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
21.
PATRICK DOLAN, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave public testimony in support of HB 88.
DESIREE MOLINA, representing self
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave public testimony in support of HB 112.
JEFFREY DEMAIN, MD, President
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave public testimony in support of HB 112.
BARRY CHRISTENSEN, representing self
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave public testimony in support of HB 112.
BRANDY SEIGNEMARTIN, Executive Director
Alaska Pharmacist Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave public testimony in support of HB 112.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:16:46 PM
CHAIR JESSE SUMNER called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:16 p.m. Representatives
Ruffridge, Prax, Saddler, Wright, Fields, Carrick, and Sumner
were present at the call to order.
^PRESENTATION: CONSTRUCTION TAX FRAUD
PRESENTATION: CONSTRUCTION TAX FRAUD
3:17:30 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the first order of business would be
a presentation, titled "Construction Tax Fraud."
3:17:50 PM
CHRIS DIMOND, Regional Manager, Pacific Northwest Regional
Council of Carpenters, co-presented a PowerPoint, titled
"Construction Industry Tax Fraud."
3:18:11 PM
GABE SHADDY-FARNSWORTH, Representative, Pacific Northwest
Regional Council of Carpenters, co-presented a PowerPoint,
titled "Construction Industry Tax Fraud."
3:19:02 PM
MR. DIMOND pointed out on the first slide that the cost of
insurance fraud to the American public since 2017 was [$52
billion]. He stated that the construction industry tax fraud
issue is related to taxpayers and workers and is a form of wage
theft. He explained that these wages are the biggest cost
variable in a construction bid, and this occurs by
misclassifying workers.
MR. SHADDY-FARNSWORTH continued to slide 2 and stated that a
common way of misclassifying workers is to label them as
independent contractors when they should be considered
employees, and often, employers will pay workers in cash to
avoid payroll related tax obligations.
MR. DIMOND said that although the practice is not common in
Alaska, one of the ways this is done in the Lower 48 is by using
labor brokers and undocumented immigrants who are underpaid.
3:24:22 PM
MR. SHADDY-FARNSWORTH moved to slide 3 and stated that workers
and their families are affected because this issue causes their
wages to be lower. Taxpayers are impacted by reduced payroll
tax revenue which affects government operations and programs.
MR. DIMOND expressed the opinion that construction industry tax
fraud has a major effect on honest contractors, as paying full
wages and proper insurance means higher cost on bids; therefore,
the bids are often lost.
MR. SHADDY-FARNSWORTH said that social programs are affected in
both directions. He explained that less money is paid into the
social security system because of wage theft, and workers need
more government assistance because they are not receiving full
wages.
3:28:25 PM
MR. DIMOND continued to slide 4 and gave a brief overview of the
financial impacts caused by construction industry tax fraud.
Approximately $16,729 in wages are lost per worker, which
results in $8.2 billion in tax revenue losses. He said that
$1.74 billion of workers compensation is lost, $800 million of
overtime wages, and $2.98 billion in federal payroll tax is lost
because of this fraud.
MR. DIMOND moved to slide 5 and gave examples of how
construction tax fraud can be fought. He stated that
legislation for contractor liability laws is needed, along with
partnering with other companies in the industry.
MR. SHADDY-FARNSWORTH suggested deputizing contractors in the
fight against fraud.
3:33:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT questioned whether this is in reference to
the Davis-Bacon Act.
MR. DIMOND responded in the affirmative, adding that "people
cheat" on the private side as well.
3:33:40 PM
MR. DIMOND suggested that law enforcement training to detect tax
fraud should be increased, and penalties and fines for those
caught committing construction tax fraud should be increased.
MR. SHADDY-FARNSWORTH added that supporting honest contractors
and raising public awareness are a major part of the process.
3:35:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether there are worker
classifications within existing statutes.
MR. DIMOND answered yes, adding that dishonest employers have
ways of circumventing these classifications.
3:36:47 PM
MR. SHADDY-FARNSWORTH, in response to a question from
Representative Prax, answered that there are no numbers specific
to Alaska because the numbers of workers being paid under the
table are difficult to gather.
3:38:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented that he would be interested in
seeing a report from the Department of Labor on investigations
into wage theft.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether there have been conversations
with the Department of Labor on this topic.
MR. DIMOND answered yes; however, the department does not
investigate unless the cases are brought to them. In response
to a follow-up question, he stated that the total figures on the
slide include privately and publicly funded projects.
3:41:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented that he would be interested in
knowing which groups are most targeted for wage theft in Alaska.
CHAIR SUMNER commented that child support fraud is related to
this type of fraud because it is dealing with wages.
HB 149-NURSING: LICENSURE; MULTISTATE COMPACT
3:42:50 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 149, "An Act relating to the licensure of nursing
professionals; relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact;
and providing for an effective date."
3:43:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX, as prime sponsor, introduced HB 149. He
stated that the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) would reduce the
amount of time it takes for a nurse to become licensed in the
state of Alaska. He suggested that this would reduce the number
of vacancies in nursing positions.
3:47:56 PM
RILEY NYE, Staff, Representative Mike Prax, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Prax, prime sponsor,
co-presented a PowerPoint, titled "House Bill 149: Nurse
Licensure Compact" [hard copy included in the committee packet.]
He reiterated that the proposed legislation would reduce the
amount of time for a nurse to become licensed in the state of
Alaska; thus, reducing the number of vacancies in nursing
positions. He continued that it currently takes a minimum of
two or three months for a nurse to become licensed in Alaska.
He voiced that the Alaska Board of Nursing has made all the
changes legally possible to streamline the process without
harming public safety. The Alaska Hospital and Healthcare
Association (AHHA) reported there were approximately 1,500
nursing vacancies in Alaska by the end of 2022.
3:52:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS questioned the effect of increasing the
number of employees in the Department of Commerce, Community,
and Economic Development (DCCED) and whether this would speed up
the process.
3:53:02 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations, Business and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development, answered that the division, per the
governor's budget, will be adding 12 more employees, and several
of these positions would be added to the nursing team; however,
this would affect the cost of licensure. She explained that one
of the biggest challenges facing the nursing team is the volume
of nursing licensure applications. In response to a follow-up
question concerning increasing the number of the nursing team,
she answered that there are currently 10 employees on this team,
which is the most of any licensure team.
3:54:52 PM
MR. NYE remained on slide 2 and stated that projections show
that the number of nursing vacancies in Alaska will grow to
approximately 5,000 by the year 2030. Of the seven states
studied, Alaska is projected to have the worst nursing shortage
by this time.
3:55:51 PM
MR. NYE, in response to Representative Saddler, expressed
uncertainty about the number of nurses leaving the state.
MS. ROBB added that the division does not track the places of
employment for nurses.
3:57:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented on a study which showed a lack
of evidence concerning NLC reducing nursing shortages, and he
asked whether there are methodological issues with the study.
MS. ROBB answered that the division has received letters of
support from several states indicating that implementing NLC has
been successful. She added that she is unaware of the study
cited by Representative Fields.
3:59:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, referencing a survey from the State
Board of Nursing, pointed out that 56 percent of the respondents
were Alaska resident nurses. She questioned who these other
nonresident nurses were in the survey.
MS. ROBB answered that the survey was sent to any nurse with an
Alaska license. She discussed the statistics in the survey
[which are addressed in slide 8 and slide 9 of the
presentation]. She stated that 89 percent of those who reside
in Alaska are supportive of the compact. She explained that
nonresident nurses are included in the study because nurses are
required to hold a license in each state they practice in,
including telehealth and teaching. In response to a follow-up
question, she said that residency is not a requirement to
practice in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked how a compact would increase
opportunities to come practice in Alaska.
MS. ROBB answered that the proposed legislation would eliminate
the need for a separate license when nurses come from out of
state to practice in Alaska; therefore, it would reduce the
amount of time before the nurse could start working.
4:05:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether two or three months is an
excessive amount of time to receive an occupational license.
MS. ROBB answered that the amount of time required to gain a
license varies by profession. She added that two or three
months feels like a long time for individuals waiting to work
and earn wages and for medical facilities that need more nurses.
4:08:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked whether a nurse can hold an NLC
license and an Alaskan license simultaneously.
MS. ROBB answered yes. She added that many nurses who live in
compact states have a compact license and an Alaskan license.
MR. NYE added that nurses who move to Alaska would lose their
ability to hold an NLC license because Alaska is not an NLC
member.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE expressed the understanding that when a
nurse moves to Alaska and acquires a license, if this nurse had
an NLC license, it would be lost.
MS. ROBB answered that holding an NLC license requires a nurse
to be a resident of a member state; however, a nurse living in a
member state who has an NLC license can acquire an Alaskan
license to practice in Alaska.
4:13:05 PM
MR. NYE continued to slide 3, explaining that nurses with an NLC
license can practice in all participating states without the
need to acquire the state's specific licenses. He maintained
that adopting the proposed legislation would allow Alaskan
healthcare facilities to fill more nursing vacancies; thus, the
burden on nurses who already practice in Alaska would be
reduced. He added that being an NLC member state would still
allow the state to retain authority and enforcement abilities
for issues regarding nursing.
4:17:08 PM
MR. NYE moved to slide 4 and gave examples of the benefits of
NLC for Alaska. He explained that the Alaska Board of Nursing
would still retain authority and jurisdiction for the practice
of nursing in the state. He said that Alaska would become a
more friendly environment for nurses and eliminate the costly
and time-consuming process of acquiring additional licenses.
4:19:56 PM
MS. ROBB, co-presenting the PowerPoint presentation, continued
to slide 5 and gave additional facts about NLC. She reiterated
that Alaska would not lose sovereignty. She expressed the
opinion that NLC's requirements are stringent and passing NLC
would not have a negative impact on public health and safety.
She remarked that Alaska currently does not track licensed
nurses; therefore, there should be no concerns regarding the
inability to track nurses practicing under NLC. She expressed
the opinion that NLC in Alaska would result in quicker
processing for licensure applications, which could result in
lower licensing fees in the future.
4:27:17 PM
MS. ROBB displayed a chart on slide 6 which compared the current
state qualifications, per statute, for nurse licensure with the
NLC qualifications. She expressed the opinion that the
requirements set forth by the compact would not create safety
concerns because there is the same level of required
qualifications.
4:29:34 PM
MS. ROBB moved to slide 7 and slide 8, pointing out that other
NLC member states describe membership as an essential tool for
retention and recruitment. She said that 39 states have enacted
NLC, with an additional 9 states having pending legislation.
4:32:28 PM
MS. ROBB continued to slide 8 and slide 9 which displayed the
supporters of NLC in the state, including the Alaska Board of
Nursing. She pointed out the results from the survey sent by
the Alaska Board of Nursing to approximately 16,000 licensed
nurses in Alaska. Of these, 3,573 responses were received, with
3,259 nurses, or 92 percent, in favor of joining NLC. For
nurses with a primary residence in Alaska, 89 percent were in
favor. She displayed a list of over 75 organizations which have
also expressed support for Alaska becoming a member of NLC.
CHAIR SUMNER noted that the presentation would be continued
during a future hearing.
[HB 149 was held over.]
HB 21-SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR
4:35:13 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 21, "An Act relating to group insurance coverage
and self-insurance coverage for school district employees,
employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other
governmental units in the state; and providing for an effective
date."
4:35:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 21 via a PowerPoint presentation, titled
"HB 21 School Healthcare Consolidation" [hard copy included in
the committee packet]. She turned attention to slide 2
regarding what drives the cost of public education in Alaska.
She explained that the three biggest factors are funding for
small schools in rural areas, energy costs, and healthcare plans
for school district employees.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE continued to slide 3 through slide 5 and
stated that Alaska has the highest per capita healthcare costs
in the U.S. She pointed out that Alaska's unadjusted per-pupil
spending on teacher salaries cost is 14th in the nation;
however, after adjusting for the cost of living, the amount
moves to 23 percent below the national average. She further
pointed out that Alaska's unadjusted per-pupil spending on the
education system's employee benefits is 64 percent above the
U.S. average; however, it is only 9 percent above the average
when adjusted for cost of living.
4:40:31 PM
RANDY TRANI, PhD, Superintendent, Matanuska School District,
Palmer, Alaska, informed the committee that a change in teacher
healthcare benefits would require a change in the collective
bargaining agreement. He expressed the opinion that a plan
which offers group insurance policies would reduce the cost.
4:42:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the school board would support
the idea.
DR. TRANI answered that wages and insurance are often the
biggest parts of collective bargaining. If the bill were
passed, the board would be able to consider the idea for the
next collective bargaining agreement. In response to a follow-
up question, he said the board would look at the state's
collective bargaining agreements to ensure that they are
comparable.
4:44:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked what the cost of insurance per
person is in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.
DR. TRANI answered that it is $2,000 a month for teachers. The
teachers pay between $4,000 and $6,000 per month, for a total
annual cost of $28,000 to $30,000.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked what the cost is on a state
level.
4:47:02 PM
BETSY WOOD, Chief Health Administrator, Division of Retirement
and Benefits, Department of Administration, answered that the
state pays a healthcare contribution of $1683 per employee, per
month. She said that there is a range which depends on the
number of people being covered by the state employee's plan.
4:48:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether there is a model which
considers Alaska Care.
MS. WOOD answered that the division has a model, although it is
older. She added that if the bill were to reach the House
Finance Committee, further analysis would take place. In
response to a follow-up question, she said that the exact cost
to Alaska Care is unknown.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether there are other
opportunities to achieve an economy of scale.
MS. WOOD answered that she is unaware of other possibilities,
but offered her opinion that it is likely.
4:52:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether it is correct that an
actuarial analysis only begins when a bill reaches the finance
committee.
MS. WOOD answered yes. In response to a follow-up question, she
said that the analysis would likely take a few weeks to be
completed.
4:54:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE commented that the bill still requires
contributions from those who opt into the new plan, which would
prevent the state from having a larger burden.
[HB 21 was held over.]
HB 86-MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY
4:55:19 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
HB 86, "An Act relating to the business of money transmission;
relating to money transmission licenses, licensure requirements,
and registration through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing
System and Registry; relating to the use of virtual currency for
money transmission; relating to authorized delegates of a
licensee; relating to acquisition of control of a license;
relating to record retention and reporting requirements;
authorizing the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development to cooperate with other states in the regulation of
money transmission; relating to permissible investments;
relating to violations and enforcement of money transmission
laws; relating to money transmission license exemptions;
relating to payroll processing services; repealing currency
exchange licenses; and providing for an effective date."
4:55:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved Amendment 1 to HB 86. [As Amendment
1 was withdrawn without discussion, there was no copy in the
record.]
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected to Amendment 1. He advised that
HB 145 sufficiently covers the topic of payday loans and
lenders.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS withdrew Amendment 1.
4:56:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report HB 86 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 86 was report out of the
House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
HB 88-WAREHOUSE WORK QUOTA INFORMATION
4:57:16 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
HB 88, "An Act relating to work quotas for employees at
warehouse distribution centers; and providing for an effective
date."
4:57:23 PM
CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 88.
4:57:51 PM
PATRICK DOLAN, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 88. He shared that he is a member of the
[International Brotherhood of Teamsters] and has worked in a
grocery warehouse for 25 years. He expressed the belief that HB
88 would strengthen the protections provided by the collective
bargaining agreement.
4:59:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether quotas are provided in
negotiated contracts.
MR. DOLAN expressed uncertainty.
5:00:07 PM
CHAIR SUMNER, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 88.
5:00:14 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced HB 88 was held over.
HB 112-PROFESSION OF PHARMACY
5:00:24 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the final order of business would be
HB 112, "An Act relating to the Board of Pharmacy; relating to
the practice of pharmacy; relating to pharmacies; relating to
prescription drug manufacturers; relating to prescriptions for
epinephrine; relating to the administration of epinephrine; and
providing for an effective date."
5:00:47 PM
CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 112.
5:01:16 PM
DESIREE MOLINA, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 112. She stated that HB 112 would improve the
pharmacist licensing process and improve safety for patients.
She explained that the bill would reduce administrative
workloads and require national criminal background checks as
part of the pharmacist licensing process. She stated that
epinephrine access would be improved for patients who need it.
5:03:11 PM
JEFFREY DEMAIN, MD, President, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
Alaska, gave public testimony in support of HB 112. He stated
that he has been a practicing allergist in Alaska for over 30
years. He said that 1 in 12 children have food allergies in
Alaska, and 5 percent of the population will experience
anaphylaxis during their life. Many people, especially
children, who experience anaphylaxis have no prior knowledge of
their allergy. He stated that the longer it takes to use
epinephrine, the less likely it will be effective. The Asthma
and Allergy Foundation of Alaska provides education programs for
anaphylaxis and epinephrine, and it recommends that epinephrine
be distributed to those who finish the course.
5:06:42 PM
BARRY CHRISTENSEN, representing self, provided public testimony
in support of HB 112. He informed the committee that the Board
of Pharmacy has been working on legislation on this topic for
several years.
5:07:53 PM
BRANDY SEIGNEMARTIN, Executive Director, Alaska Pharmacist
Association, gave public testimony in support of HB 112. She
stated that the Alaska Pharmacist Association supports the work
that the Board of Pharmacy has done on HB 112.
5:08:46 PM
CHAIR SUMNER, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 112.
5:08:53 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that HB 112 was held over.
5:09:00 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
5:09 p.m.