Legislature(2021 - 2022)BARNES 124
03/04/2022 09:00 AM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB58 | |
| HB372 | |
| Board of Social Work Examiners | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 372 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 58 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 4, 2022
9:07 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Zack Fields, Co-Chair
Representative Ivy Spohnholz, Co-Chair
Representative Calvin Schrage
Representative Liz Snyder
Representative James Kaufman
Representative Ken McCarty
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative David Nelson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 58
"An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and
related services; relating to medical assistance coverage for
contraceptives and related services; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 58(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 372
"An Act relating to exemptions from minimum wage."
- HEARD & HELD
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Workers' Compensation Board
Michael Dennis Wasilla
- CONFIRMATION(S) HELD
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Tristian Monterastelli - Eagle River
- CONFIRMATION(S) HELD
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors
Brent Cole Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) HELD
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Elizabeth Stuart Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) HELD
Marijuana Control Board
Bruce Schulte Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) HELD
Board of Pharmacy
Ashley Schaber Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) HELD
Board of Social Work Examiners
Sharon Woodward - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 58
SHORT TITLE: CONTRACEPTIVES COVERAGE:INSURE;MED ASSIST
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CLAMAN
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/15/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) HSS, L&C
04/15/21 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
04/15/21 (H) Heard & Held
04/15/21 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/20/21 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
04/20/21 (H) Moved CSHB 58(HSS) Out of Committee
04/20/21 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/22/21 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) 5DP 2DNP
04/22/21 (H) DP: FIELDS, SPOHNHOLZ, MCCARTY,
ZULKOSKY, SNYDER
04/22/21 (H) DNP: PRAX, KURKA
05/03/21 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/03/21 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
05/07/21 (H) L&C AT 8:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
05/07/21 (H) Heard & Held
05/07/21 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/12/21 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/12/21 (H) Heard & Held
05/12/21 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/17/21 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/17/21 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
02/28/22 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
02/28/22 (H) Moved CSHB 58(L&C) Out of Committee
02/28/22 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/02/22 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/02/22 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/04/22 (H) L&C AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 372
SHORT TITLE: ELIMINATE MINIMUM WAGE EXEMPTION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TUCK
02/22/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/22/22 (H) JUD, L&C
02/28/22 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/28/22 (H) Heard & Held
02/28/22 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
03/02/22 (H) JUD RPT 4DP
03/02/22 (H) DP: DRUMMOND, KREISS-TOMKINS, SNYDER,
CLAMAN
03/02/22 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/02/22 (H) Moved HB 372 Out of Committee
03/02/22 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
03/04/22 (H) L&C AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
MICHAEL MASON, Staff
Representative Chris Tuck
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 372 on behalf of
Representative Tuck, prime sponsor.
TANYA KEITH, Program Manager, Wage and Hour
Labor Standards and Safety Division
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HB 372, answered
questions.
MYRANDA WALSO, Acting Executive Director
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of HB
372.
HEIDI LIEB-WILLIAMS, Chair
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of HB
372.
RIC NELSON, Chair
Self-Advocacy and Leadership Committee
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of HB
327.
MIKE DENNIS, Appointee
Workers' Compensation Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
TRISTIAN MONTERASTELLI, Appointee
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the Board of
Marital and Family Therapy.
BRENT COLE, Appointee
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State Board
of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors.
ELIZABETH STUART, Appointee
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska State
Board of Public Accountancy.
BRUCE SCHULTE, Appointee
Marijuana Control Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the
Marijuana Control Board.
ASHLEY SCHABER, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, Appointee
Board of Pharmacy
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Pharmacy.
SHARON WOODWARD, Appointee
Board of Social Work Examiners
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the Board of
Social Work Examiners.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:07:56 AM
CO-CHAIR IVY SPOHNHOLZ called the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 9:07 a.m.
Representatives Schrage, Snyder, Fields, and Spohnholz were
present at the call to order. Representatives Kaufman and
McCarty arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 58-CONTRACEPTIVES COVERAGE:INSURE;MED ASSIST
9:08:57 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 58, "An Act relating to insurance
coverage for contraceptives and related services; relating to
medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related
services; and providing for an effective date."
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ stated that the committee intends to rescind
previous action taken on HB 58 and to then take up and move out
a committee substitute (CS) that has a correct date for
conditional effect, changing the date on page 7, line 18, from
1/1/22 to 1/1/23. She explained that this was an oversight the
committee wishes to correct.
9:09:29 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to rescind the motion to report HB 58 out
of committee. There being no objection, the committees action
to report HB 58 was rescinded.
9:09:44 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for HB 58, Version 32-LS0259\G, Marx, 3/1/22, as the
working document. There being no objection, Version G was
before the committee.
9:10:08 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to report the proposed CS for HB 58,
Version G, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB
58(L&C) was moved out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee.
9:10:23 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the committee authorizes
Legislative Legal Services to make any conforming changes that
might be necessary for CSHB 58(L&C).
9:10:36 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:10 a.m. to 9:13 a.m.
HB 372-ELIMINATE MINIMUM WAGE EXEMPTION
9:13:16 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 372, "An Act relating to exemptions from
minimum wage."
9:13:58 AM
MICHAEL MASON, Staff, Representative Chris Tuck, Alaska State
Legislature, introduced HB 372 on behalf of Representative Tuck,
prime sponsor. He stated that HB 327 and its Senate companion
bill, SB 185, would clean up an unneeded section of state law
that has not been used since 2018. He explained that in 2018
the State of Alaska repealed the regulations that allowed
employers to hire a worker with a physical or mental disability
and pay them a subminimum wage. Despite the repeal of the
regulation, the section of state law authorizing the payment of
the subminimum wage remains on the books, and the bill seeks to
change that. Currently, nothing is in place to stop future
regulations that would allow a subminimum wage for workers with
disabilities. This bill would remove all reference to those
with earning capacity that is impaired by physical or mental
deficiency or injury, making it no longer legal in Alaska to pay
a disabled person a wage below the minimum wage.
MR. MASON pointed out that, to date, Alaska, Hawaii, California,
Colorado, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and several other states
have eliminated these subminimum wages for people with
disabilities. Also, legislation is currently pending in
Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, South
Carolina, and Virginia to eliminate or modify payment of
subminimum wages to disabled persons. This bill, he continued,
is important because paying a subminimum wage to those with
physical and mental disabilities is a discriminatory policy.
Disabled persons should be able to earn what they are worth,
with the minimum wage as the floor for compensation rather than
the ceiling. Disabled persons in Alaska should never be paid
less than other workers based on their perceived capabilities
rather than demonstrated abilities. Every day in Alaska,
persons with disabilities prove those assumptions wrong. Mr.
Mason read a quote from Tom Ridge, chairman of the National
Organization on Disability: There is no excuse for treating an
entire class of American workers differently from others based
solely on the characteristics of disability, yet that is exactly
what current law allows.
MR. MASON noted that any proposal to exempt minimum wage must be
approved by the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor
and Workforce Development. He said HB 372 adds an additional
minimum wage exemption to state law for anyone under 18 years of
age who is temporarily employed by a qualified nonprofit
organization. He further noted that HB 372 leaves in place the
current exemptions for student learners and apprentices. He
pointed out that the Alaska minimum wage is currently set at
$10.34 an hour, and the federal minimum wage, which has been in
place since 2008, is at $7.25 an hour.
9:17:29 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ asked why HB 372 allows for a minimum wage
exemption for people under the age of 18 if they are employed by
a nonprofit.
MR. MASON responded that AS 23.10.070(1) currently reads, an
individual whose earning capacity is impaired by physical or
mental deficiency, age, or injury, at the wages and subject to
the restrictions and for the period of time that are fixed by
the commissioner. He explained that HB 372 was drafted to
remove the language dealing with disability, but it was wanted
to leave in the exemption based on age, so that is where the
language that is being inserted was put in there. He noted that
Senator Micciche spearheaded this on the Senate side, so
[Representative Tuck] basically took the Senate version and
introduced it in the House side.
9:18:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER stated that she had the privilege of
carrying this bill in a previous committee, and that was the
very question she had asked. The answer received, she related,
was that it would be appropriate in certain training settings.
She requested confirmation that that is the case or that it
could be the case but not in all instances.
MR. MASON replied that it gives the commissioner the flexibility
for those training opportunities for people 18 years or younger.
REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER offered her understanding that it isnt an
automatic ability to pay under minimum wage at nonprofits for
those under 18 years of age; it must be an exemption approved by
the commissioner.
MR. MASON answered yes, any proposal to exempt minimum wage must
be approved by the commissioner of the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development. He said it will be heard in testimony
that the minimum wage exemption for disabled persons had not
been used for several years prior to 2018.
9:19:56 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ requested a description of the context in
which an exemption for paying minimum wage for people under age
18 working for nonprofits would be appropriate and how the
department currently approaches this and would intend to
approach it moving forward.
9:20:21 AM
TANYA KEITH, Program Manager, Wage and Hour, Labor Standards and
Safety Division, Department of Labor and Workforce Development
(DLWD), replied that the regulation has been removed which
addressed how that specific exemption would be approved. So,
currently, there isnt an exact process for that, and one would
have to be developed. However, there would be strict guidelines
about it, and since the provision says temporarily employed
there would be a set period that they would be allowed to work.
9:21:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER recalled hearing conversation about
individuals being paid less than minimum wage at Juneaus
Eaglecrest Ski Area, which she believes operates as a nonprofit.
She inquired as to whether this has any relationship to the
exemptions allowed under current statute and how HB 372 might
change things.
MS. KEITH confirmed there is a current statute that exempts
individuals aged 18 and older from the Alaska Wage and Hour Act
entirely, which would probably be the exemption that
[Eaglecrest] is using now.
REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER requested clarification as to whether
there is a different exemption for those 18 and older.
MS. KEITH answered yes, AS 23.10.05.
9:22:44 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS offered his understanding that the ability to
pay subminimum wage for minors is an anachronism and it is not
being used right now. If it was going to be used, he continued,
then new regulations would need to be promulgated to provide
guidance on how to use it.
MS. KEITH replied yes, under that current statute there is
nobody and there is no mechanism to ask for the exemption in
that.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS commented that this exemption could therefore be
eliminated, and it would have no impact on any actual people.
It would just provide statutory clarity around something that
already exists, and he is inclined to think that this should be
done. It is the same situation with HB 372, he continued,
because under a previous commissioner the department eliminated
the regulations allowing subminimum wage payment to people with
disabilities and HB 372 cleans up the statute to align with
that. So, it seems exactly like the same scenario.
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ agreed with Co-Chair Fields.
9:23:59 AM
MR. MASON drew attention to the [3/1/22] memorandum from the
sponsor to the House Judiciary Standing Committee regarding the
Alaska Wage and Hour Act. Regarding Representative Snyders
question, he said the memorandum includes the exemptions that
were listed under AS 23.10.050.
9:24:31 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ opened invited testimony on HB 372.
9:24:43 AM
MYRANDA WALSO, Acting Executive Director, Governor's Council on
Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE), provided invited
testimony in support of HB 372. She stated that as the State
Council on Developmental Disabilities (state DD), GCDSE works
with community and other state agencies to ensure that people
with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and
their families receive the services and supports that they need,
as well as participating in the planning and design of those
services.
MS. WALSO noted she is joined today by several GCDSE council
members and self-advocates. However, she continued, one member,
Corey Gilmore, chair of the Community Inclusion, Supports, and
Services Committee, could not attend due to his assisted living
facilitys schedule which governs when he is able to get out of
bed in the morning and provides the transportation he depends on
for basic care. She said challenges like this are an incredible
barrier and are the reality that Mr. Gilmore faces every day,
including affecting his participation in the public process.
She related that Mr. Gilmore believes passionately in HB 372 and
his written testimony has been submitted to the committee.
MS. WALSO specified that since the federal minimum wage was
established in 1938, a special reduced compensation rate known
as the subminimum wage was allowed for those with disabilities,
which lets employers holding a 14(c) certificate from the US
Department of Labor to pay those with disabilities less than the
federal or state minimum wage using worker productivity rates as
the sole factor for evaluating the performance of those with
disabilities. She said this discriminatory method determines
compensation only for those with disabilities and requires that
they measure up to a standard their non-disabled coworkers are
not evaluated on nor held to. What if all individuals over the
age of 65 had to prove they deserved to earn minimum wage at
their job, but younger individuals did not? she asked. This
scenario, she argued, is just as archaic as this provision in
Alaska law which holds to the notion that those with a
disability do not have the same standing in the job market as
their non-disabled peers, regardless of the quality of their
work, talents, or skills.
MS. WALSO pointed out that [new] federal, state, and local
policies have developed over the decades. At the federal level,
she said, the new understanding is reflected in the Americans
with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disability Education
Act, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and others.
In Alaska, the Employment First Act requires vocational services
be provided to help people with disabilities become gainfully
employed at or above the minimum wage. In 2018, the regulations
enacting subminimum wages for those with disabilities was
repealed, but the issue remains unsettled. She said GCDSE
supports repeal of the statutory provision allowing any such
regulations to be reintroduced in the future.
9:28:25 AM
HEIDI LIEB-WILLIAMS, Chair, Governor's Council on Disabilities
and Special Education (GCDSE), provided invited testimony in
support of HB 372. She shared that she has multiple
disabilities but has broken barriers and received awards. She
said those with disabilities have gifts and talents to offer,
their work is just as valuable as that of others, and they
should be paid fairly for their time and knowledge. Being
judged based on a disability and being offered less pay than
someone is worth is demeaning, she continued. People often
define themselves to have purpose in life by doing work that
serves others in the community and it matters that they are paid
accordingly for making a difference to other Alaskans.
MS. LIEB-WILLIAMS read a statement from Mr. Corey Gilmore: In
2018 we advocated for the DD shared vision, which put Alaskans
receiving services in charge of their own care, and this bill is
the next step in realizing the vision for all of Alaska. Not
only does the vision give us the right to direct our own care
but the repeal of the subminimum wage further solidifies that we
are competent Alaskans with something to offer our state. She
urged the committee to do what is right for a better future in
Alaska.
9:31:03 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ thanked Ms. Lieb-Williams for her work as
chair of the Council and congratulated her for the awards she
has received.
9:31:28 AM
RIC NELSON, Chair, Self-Advocacy and Leadership Committee,
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education,
provided invited testimony in support of HB 327. An assistant
read from Mr. Nelsons written statement as follows:
This bill is so important because all people no matter
their disability should get paid at least minimum wage
to do the same job as their able-bodied peers. Having
a law that singles someone out as not deserving the
same pay solely because of their disability is
dehumanizing. As a person with a disability who has
worked hard to have a successful career and earned a
master's degree, I find that this statute reinforces
the misconception that individuals with disabilities
are somehow a liability for an employer. Keeping this
statute sends the message that Alaska is the land of
opportunity only if you are not disabled.
9:33:08 AM
MR. NELSON, responding to Co-Chair Spohnholz, stated that his
masters degree is in Public Administration.
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ thanked Mr. Nelson for his service to Alaska
through the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special
Education.
9:33:59 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that HB 372 was held over.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Workers' Compensation Board
Workers' Compensation Board
^Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
^State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors
^Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
^Marijuana Control Board
Marijuana Control Board
^Board of Pharmacy
Board of Pharmacy
^Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Social Work Examiners
9:34:08 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the final order of business
would be consideration of the governor's appointees to the
Workers Compensation Board; Board of Marital and Family
Therapy; State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers,
and Land Surveyors; Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy,
Marijuana Control Board; Board of Pharmacy; and Board of Social
Work Examiners.
9:35:40 AM
MIKE DENNIS, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, testified
for reappointment to the Workers Compensation Board. He stated
that this would be his second term on this board. He said he is
an owner of Conrad-Houston Insurance and has been in the
insurance industry for about 31 years.
9:36:12 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ asked Mr. Dennis what the board has been
working on for the last few years.
MR. DENNIS replied that the board specifically works on the
rules and regulations of workers' compensation and how it
affects employees and employers. The board also has hearings on
injured workers to resolve conflicts and situations with
workers compensation and payment. He stated that because he
works with employers, employees, carriers, and adjusters, he has
unique skills to give some insight on how those work together to
ensure that workers get their fair compensation and coverage.
9:37:29 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS commented that the decline in workers
compensation rates seems to mirror and be driven by the decline
in on-the-job accidents. He inquired about the potential to
continue improving workplace safety and driving down those
rates.
MR. DENNIS, responding from his perspective of being in the
insurance business, said he thinks part of why the rates are
able to go down and will stay down is the advent of social media
and cameras everywhere, which makes it much easier to combat
fraudulent claims. Along with that, most employers with
computers and other equipment can do workplace safety meetings
to help workers know how to be safe.
9:39:18 AM
TRISTIAN MONTERASTELLI, Appointee, Board of Marital and Family
Therapy, testified for reappointment to the Board of Marital and
Family Therapy. She noted that her initial appointment began in
June 2021, so she is still new to serving as a public board
member but is excited to continue serving. Regarding her
qualifications, she said she has her masters in state and local
public policy with an emphasis in economics.
9:40:19 AM
MS. MONTERASTELLI, responding to Co-Chair Spohnholz, confirmed
she is a full-time professional with the Office of Childrens
Services.
9:40:48 AM
BRENT COLE, Appointee, State Board of Registration for
Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors, testified as
appointee to the State Board of Registration for Architects,
Engineers, and Land Surveyors. He stated he grew up in
Fairbanks, worked in construction, and put himself through
college and law school. He received a clerkship with [Superior
Court Judge] Seaborn J. Buckalew Jr., then worked five years
with the district attorneys office, and then went into private
practice which he has now done for more than 35 years. He said
he has an interest in this board because he is looking for some
transition and to give back to the community. He wants Alaska
to have a viable and exciting future, and because architects,
engineers, and land surveyors build Alaska it is exciting to be
a part of that.
9:44:27 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ asked whether Mr. Cole has attended a meeting
given that he is newly appointed.
MR. COLE replied that there was a meeting, but he was only able
to listen to part of the second day due to other obligations.
He said that in the future he will be able to arrange his
schedule around the meetings.
9:45:19 AM
ELIZABETH STUART, Appointee, Alaska State Board of Public
Accountancy, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development, testified as appointee to the Alaska State Board of
Public Accountancy. She noted that she grew up in Alaska and
after graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage she
joined KPMG, a public accounting firm. She said she has
practiced as a CPA since receiving her CPA license in 1996 and
is currently the managing partner of KPMG Alaska operations and
leads a team of about 60 people. Her interest in the board, she
continued, is because the integrity of the public accountant
license is critical to her business and businesses around the
state.
9:47:00 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ asked what the issues might be for
accountancy in the next couple of years.
MS. STUART responded reciprocity, particularly with the ability
to work remotely now more than ever. She said there are also
challenges associated with changes in the skill set that are
necessary and being sure that the education and the licensing
standards and requirements keep up with the changes in
technology and the times.
9:48:55 AM
BRUCE SCHULTE, Appointee, Marijuana Control Board, testified for
reappointment to the public seat on the Marijuana Control Board.
He said he initially became involved with this industry as an
advocate in 2014 for Ballot Measure 2 to legalize cannabis in
Alaska. He was later appointed to the board and served for
about a year, most of that as chair, through development of the
initial regulations. He stated he isnt a licensee himself and
doesnt plan to be but has an interest in seeing that licensees
and businesses succeed.
9:50:46 AM
ASHLEY SCHABER, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, Appointee, Board of Pharmacy,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development,
testified as appointee to the Board of Pharmacy. She stated she
is licensed as an Alaska pharmacist, has worked within the
Alaska tribal health system, and has practiced in medication
safety and pharmacy quality improvement for the last 10 years.
She said she has been active in leadership roles in the Alaska
Pharmacists Association since 2014. Throughout her career she
has sought training to improve her skills, including a masters
in business administration, board certification in
pharmacotherapy and quality improvement training. She oversees
clinical and operational pharmacy services at the largest
hospital in the Alaska tribal health system.
DR. SCHABER noted that during her service with the Alaska
Pharmacists Association the association fostered partnerships to
improve care access and support health care initiatives in
Alaska. She served as the associations liaison to the Board of
Pharmacy. She said her background of tribal health system
pharmacy, public health, safety, leadership, and community
involvement combined with her motivation make her an excellent
candidate for a Board of Pharmacy position. She is looking for
ways to use her background and her leadership to encourage
public health, safety, and welfare for all Alaskans through the
effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy.
9:54:11 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS thanked Dr. Schaber for her work on the pharmacy
technician apprenticeship, which he thinks is an exciting new
workforce development program in the state.
DR. SCHABER replied that she is excited about it too.
9:54:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY inquired about the percentage of demand
on pharmacists [time] regarding awareness, ensuring that
diversion of medications in an illicit manner is not happening
or is limited, and collaborating with providers that are writing
prescriptions.
DR. SCHABER responded that it is a high percentage. Based on
her experience, she said pharmacists work collaboratively with
providers and health care team members to prevent and identify
diversion. She said the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
(PDMP) is an important tool that community pharmacists have in
Alaska to help with awareness of opioid use. As well, the Board
of Pharmacy plays an important role in reviewing diversion
related cases and what is being reported to the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA).
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY inquired about Dr. Schaber's history with
providers who do or do not use the PDMP, such that it is falling
on the pharmacists to do so with the prescriptions.
DR. SCHABER answered that she works on the in-patient side, so
she is not using the PDMP on a daily basis. However, she added,
it is a cooperation, a partnership, with the pharmacists and the
providers as well as the Board of Pharmacy to ensure that the
program is being used appropriately.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY inquired about Dr. Schabers experience
with the PDMP and veterinarians regarding opioid prescriptions
and concerns of diversion.
DR. SCHABER replied that the Board of Pharmacy has provided
feedback regarding the veterinarians' use of the PDMP; it is a
complex issue not just related to one discipline. The PDMP can
be improved overall to help improve its use for all providers.
9:58:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER asked whether there is anything else under
the purview of the Board of Pharmacy, such as policy or
regulation, that Dr. Schaber would like to see addressed.
DR. SCHABER responded that the Board of Pharmacy in general is
looking at: rural areas in terms of health care access; ways to
allow pharmacists and technicians to work at the top of their
skills as well as receive a payment related to the services that
they provide; streamlining and simplifying regulations that are
already in place; and partnering with the Alaska Pharmacists
Association in support of working conditions to help ensure that
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have healthy working
environments so they can provide high quality service. She said
the Board of Pharmacy would like to discuss apprenticeships,
supporting the School of Pharmacy, and a partnership between the
University of Alaska and Idaho State University.
10:00:17 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ asked whether Dr. Schaber has recommendations
about ways to make the PDMP more effective in addressing the
opioid epidemic while making it easier for end-users.
DR. SCHABER answered that that is an important question to all
the users of the PDMP as well as to all Alaskans to ensure that
the intent of the PDMP and the intent of the legislature is
being met. She said a partnership with the board for the users
of the PDMP is important for considering the feedback of the
end-users. Collaboration is a good way for improving the PDMP
moving forward.
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ noted that the committee will soon be having
a hearing on licensing. She asked whether the Board of Pharmacy
is running into any barriers to timely licensing processing in
terms of resources, technology, or unnecessary regulation.
DR. SCHABER replied that the turnaround time is something the
Board of Pharmacy is looking into for streamlining so it can
continually provide a quicker turnaround time for licensees.
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ stated that going forward the committee would
like to hear about this issue from the Board of Pharmacy and the
professional association.
10:03:11 AM
SHARON WOODWARD, Appointee, Board of Social Work Examiners,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development,
testified for reappointment to the licensed baccalaureate social
worker seat on the Board of Social Work Examiners. She stated
she received her degree in 2007 and is currently the director of
social services at Wildflower Court, a skilled and long-term
care nursing facility in Juneau. The primary population she has
worked with throughout her career is the elderly. She said her
interest in serving on the board is to use her experience to
help other social workers develop what they need to become good
social workers.
10:04:31 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ asked Ms. Woodward whether the board is doing
any work to address the difficulty of getting timely response
from the boards staff for those social workers trying to get
licensed or get their licenses renewed.
MS. WOODWARD responded that COVID-19 has made things difficult
over the last two years without in-person meetings and the use
of Zoom sessions. She said it has become much better and there
are fewer people for whom she must do approvals, which tells her
the board is getting them done quicker and in a timely manner.
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ asked whether fewer approvals could mean that
there is a delay in applications getting through to the board.
MS. WOODWARD answered that she doesn't think so, it seems that
things are being done within 2 months.
10:06:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY asked Ms. Woodward whether the board can
make decisions on candidates outside of board meetings or can
only vote on licensing while in meetings.
MS. WOODWARD replied that every two weeks the board receives a
list of new social workers who are applying, and the board does
those outside of its normal quarterly meetings
10:07:01 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ thanked all the appointees.
10:07:16 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
10:07:31 AM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ opened public testimony. After ascertaining
there was no one who wished to testify, she closed public
testimony.
[The confirmations were held over.]
10:08:13 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
10:08 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 372 v. A 2.22.2022.PDF |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Sponsor Statement v. A 2.28.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Sectional Analysis v. A 2.28.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Supporting Document - GCDSE 2022 Talking Points 2.28.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Supporting Document - GCDSE Subminimum Wage Policy Paper 2.28.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Supporting Document - Think Work Paper January 2017 2.28.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Supporting Document - AS 23.10.070 and Conflicts 2.28.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Supporting Document - GCDSE Letter 2.23.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Supporting Document - GCDSE Member Statements 2.23.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Fiscal Note DOLWD-WH 2.25.2022.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Supporting Document - Regulations Repealed Press Release 2.16.2018.pdf |
HJUD 2/28/2022 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Additional Document - Tuck Memo to HJUD re Data on Subminimum Wages Paid to Disabled Persons 3.1.2022.pdf |
HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| HB 372 Additional Document - Tuck Memo to HJUD re Sec 23.10.050 and Sec 23.10.055 3.1.2022.pdf |
HJUD 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HB 372 |
| Ashley Schaber Application_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Bruce Schulte Application_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Brent Cole Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Elizabeth Stuart Application_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Elizabeth Stuart resume 10_21_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Mike Dennis Application_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Sharon Woodward Application_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Sharon Woodward Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Tristian Monterastelli Application_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Tristian Monterastelli Resume_04.16.21_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |
| Ashley Schaber Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 3/4/2022 9:00:00 AM |
HLAC Confirmations 2022 |