Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
04/23/2025 09:00 AM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Board of Examiners in Optometry | |
| HB193 | |
| HB144 | |
| HB96 | |
| Board of Examiners in Optometry | |
| HB148 | |
| Board of Examiners in Optometry | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 193 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 144 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 96 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 148 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 23, 2025
9:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Zack Fields, Co-Chair
Representative Carolyn Hall, Co-Chair
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Robyn Niayuq Burke
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Julie Coulombe
Representative David Nelson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Alaska Worker's Compensation Board
Sara Faulkner Homer
- CONFIRMATION(S) HEARD
Alaska State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Jennifer Lombardo Anchorage
Jessica Pestrikoff - Anchorage
Shannon Thompson Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) HEARD
Board of Massage Therapists
Michelle Steiner Kodiak
- CONFIRMATION(S) HEARD
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Sheryl Lentfer Anchorage
Charles Rudstrom Soldotna
- CONFIRMATION(S) HEARD
Board of Marital & Family Therapy
Chantal Cohen Anchorage
- REMOVED FROM AGENDA
HOUSE BILL NO. 193
"An Act establishing a paid parental leave program; relating to
unemployment benefits; relating to the collection of child
support obligations; and relating to the duties of the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 144
"An Act relating to prior authorization requests for medical
care covered by a health care insurer; relating to a prior
authorization application programming interface; relating to
step therapy; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 96
"An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory
Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 96(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 148
"An Act relating to insurance; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 80(FIN)
"An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game
Commercial Services Board; extending the termination date of the
Board of Massage Therapists; extending the termination date of
the Alaska Commission on Aging; extending the termination date
of the Marijuana Control Board; and providing for an effective
date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 193
SHORT TITLE: UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS; PAID PARENT LEAVE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HALL
04/15/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/15/25 (H) L&C, FIN
04/16/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/16/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/16/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/23/25 (H) L&C AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 144
SHORT TITLE: INSURANCE; PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RUFFRIDGE
03/21/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/25 (H) HSS, L&C
04/03/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
04/03/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/03/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/08/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
04/08/25 (H) Moved CSHB 144(HSS) Out of Committee
04/08/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/09/25 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) 5DP 2NR
04/09/25 (H) DP: PRAX, FIELDS, RUFFRIDGE, MEARS,
SCHWANKE
04/09/25 (H) NR: GRAY, MINA
04/14/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/14/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/16/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/16/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/16/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/23/25 (H) L&C AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 96
SHORT TITLE: HOME CARE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADV BOARD
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) PRAX
02/12/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/25 (H) HSS, L&C
03/25/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/25/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/25/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/08/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
04/08/25 (H) Moved CSHB 96(HSS) Out of Committee
04/08/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/09/25 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) 6DP
04/09/25 (H) DP: PRAX, FIELDS, SCHWANKE, RUFFRIDGE,
MEARS, MINA
04/09/25 (H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER L&C
04/14/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/14/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/16/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/16/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/16/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/23/25 (H) L&C AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 148
SHORT TITLE: OMNIBUS INSURANCE BILL
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
03/21/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/25 (H) L&C, HSS
03/26/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/26/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/26/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/02/25 (H) FIN REPLACES HSS REFERRAL
04/02/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/02/25 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/04/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/04/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/04/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/23/25 (H) L&C AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
SARA FAULKNER, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board.
JESSICA PESTRIKOFF, Appointee
State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Barbers & Hairdressers.
SHANNON THOMPSON, Appointee
State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Barbers & Hairdressers.
JENNIFER LOMBARDO, Appointee
Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Barbers & Hairdressers.
JEN GRIFFIS, MD
Vice President of Policy & Advocacy
Alaska Children's Trust (ACT)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 193.
PALOMA HARBOUR, Budget Manager
Division of Insurance
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DOLWD)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
193.
LENNON WELLER, Economist
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
193.
LORI WINGHEIER, Director
Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on
CSHB 144(HSS).
REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN RUFFRIDGE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions during
the hearing on CSHB 144(HSS).
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PRAX
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions during
the hearing on HB 96.
TONY NEWMAN, Deputy Director
Senior and Disabilities Services
Department of Health
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
96.
MICHELLE STEINER, Appointee
Board of Massage Therapists
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Massage Therapists.
EVAN ANDERSON, Staff
Representative Zack Fields
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As staff to Representative Fields, co-chair
of the House Labor & Commerce Standing Committee, prime sponsor
of HB 148, gave the summary of changes from Version A to Version
N.
LORI WINGHEIER, Director
Division of Insurance
Department of Health & Social Services
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered committee questions on HB 148.
SHERYL LENTFER, Appointee
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during her confirmation hearing.
CHARLES RUDSTROM, Appointee
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during his confirmation hearing.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:01:12 AM
CO-CHAIR ZACK FIELDS called the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
Representatives Coulombe, Burke, Co-Chair Hall, and Co-Chair
Fields were present at the call to order. Representatives
Saddler arrived as the meeting was in progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Alaska Worker's Compensation Board
Alaska Worker's Compensation Board
^Alaska State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Alaska State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
^Board of Massage Therapists
Board of Massage Therapists
^Board of Examiners in Optometry
Board of Examiners in Optometry
9:01:26 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the first order of business would
be the confirmation hearings on the governor's appointees to
various boards and commissions.
9:02:48 AM
SARA FAULKNER, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
testified as appointee to the Alaska Workers' Compensation
Board. She began her testimony by stating that she was an
industry member for Southcentral Alaska. She stated that she
had resided in Alaska for 45 years. She stated that she has
served on the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board since 2019.
She additionally commented that she enjoyed serving on the
[Alaska Workers' Compensation Board] because it helps injured
employees and improves business practices. She thanked
committee members for both their time and consideration.
9:03:34 AM
CO-CHAIR HALL asked why Ms. Faulker wanted to serve on the
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board originally in 2019.
MS. FAULKNER responded that she understood the importance of the
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board after experiencing an injury
herself. Additionally, she stated that she wanted to learn how
to improve employee safety and understand common pitfalls in the
workplace.
CO-CHAIR HALL asked about any major milestones or insights
gained during Ms. Faulker's time on the board.
MS. FAULKNER responded that many injuries could be avoided
through mindfulness. Additionally, she noted that there have
been changes to the process of workers compensation on the
industry side since her appointment in 2019.
9:06:05 AM
JESSICA PESTRIKOFF, Appointee, State Board of Barbers &
Hairdressers, testified as appointee to the Board of Barbers &
Hairdresser. She explained that she joined the State Boar of
Barbers & Hairdressers in spring of 2024 and that she was
appointed as a public member. She stated her interest in
serving on the State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers stemmed
from her own consumption of the services offered by it. She
further stated that, as a customer, she had a vested interest in
safety and compliance within the barber and hairdressing
industry.
9:07:32 AM
CO-CHAIR HALL asked what had been "eye-opening" about serving on
the State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers.
MS. PESTRIKOFF replied that she found the process of reviewing
various cases and pieces of related legislation very
educational.
9:08:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked whether Ms. Pestrikoff has worked
in the barber and hairdresser industry.
MS. PESTRIKOFF responded that she has not worked in the industry
and noted that her career has been in human resources. She
stated that she was a "connoisseur" of all services provided by
the State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked about the mission of the State
Board of Barbers & Hairdressers.
MS. PESTRIKOFF offered her understanding that the primary
mission of the State Board of Barber & Hairdressers was ensuring
the safety of the public that received services from the board
by ensuring that individuals were properly trained and licensed
and were "not going to injure ... clients."
9:09:50 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS questioned the primary issues of safety Ms.
Pestrikoff had encountered in her time as an appointee.
MS. PESTRIKOFF responded that she had not observed any issues of
safety during her time thus far. She recalled personal
anecdotes of friends who had their "face[s] ripped off" at
waxes, or developing fungus after receiving a pedicure. She
spoke to issues of lack of updated documentation via training or
licenses.
9:11:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked why Ms. Pestrikoff considers
herself a "connoisseur".
MS. PESTRIKOFF responded that she regularly partakes in
hairdressing, waxing, facial, and nail services as a customer
all of which are overseen by the Board of Barbers &
Hairdressers.
9:12:58 AM
SHANNON THOMPSON, Appointee, State Board of Barbers &
Hairdressers, testified as appointee to the Board of Barbers &
Hairdressers. She stated that she had been an esthetician for
over 17 years, and she liked helping people "feel whole in their
reflections." She stated "health as a basis for beauty" as a
goal.
9:13:52 AM
MS. THOMPSON, in response to a question from Representative
Saddler, stated that she represented manicurists, estheticians,
(indisc.) cosmetics, and tattooing.
9:14:15 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked what opportunities she sees to maintain
and ensure safety through her appointed role. He further asked
if Ms. Thompson had observed any practices that would be
considered unsafe.
MS. THOMPSON responded that she had seen complaints about
cleanliness prior to her time in the industry. She aspired to
bring Alaska up to a standard that she said was met in other
states.
9:16:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked Ms. Thompson why she wants to be
on the Board of Barbers & Hairdressers.
MS. THOMPSON responded that she had not seen great
representation for manicurists, estheticians, (indisc.)
cosmetics, and tattooing thus far, and she desired to be that
person for her community. She noted that there had been
complaints from license-holders regarding a lack of
representation.
9:18:27 AM
CO-CHAIR HALL asked for confirmation that this would be Ms.
Thompson's first time serving on board.
MS. THOMPSON replied yes.
9:19:17 AM
JENNIFER LOMBARDO, Appointee, Board of Barbers & Hairdressers,
testified as appointee to the Board of Barbers & Hairdresser.
She stated that she was appointed as an industry seat for the
Alaska Board of Barbers & Hairdressers, which was created
approximately seven years ago. She stated that she had
previously served from 2017 to 2021. She further stated that
she was looking forward to modernizing the board, as it was
"seriously behind in some areas."
9:20:35 AM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked for confirmation that Ms. Lombardo
primarily worked as a tattoo artist.
MS. LOMBARDO responded yes and explained that she had been
working as a tattoo artist since 2007, and that she had been
working in tattoo shops since 2001.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked where the board could ensure safety in the
industry in Alaska.
MS. LOMBARDO responded that, when she was first appointed to the
State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers in 2017, there were
serious concerns regarding micro bleeding occurring in the
tattoo industry as a result of individuals practicing without a
license. She stated that, currently, she did not see any
pressing safety issues in the tattoo industry but stated that it
is one of the main focuses of the board to work with the
esthetics industry in Alaska.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked how Alaska was falling behind on national
standards.
MS. LOMBARDO replied that the esthetics program had not been
updated in many years and noted that Alaska Statutes (AS) have
not been updated to keep up with the new tools and techniques
being used by people in the industry. She spoke to the
importance of correctly licensing people for the use of certain
equipment. She provided an example regarding the significance
of how far a tool penetrates into the skin. She noted that
there was a lack of clarity surrounding what type of procedures
estheticians could perform in Alaska and noted that it had been
a focus of the board for a while.
[The confirmation hearings for the appointees to the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board and the Board of Barbers &
Hairdressers was held over.]
9:24:33 AM
ADJOURNMENT
The House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was
recessed to 3:15 p.m.
3:20:28 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee back to order at 3:20 p.m. Present at the call back
to order were Representatives Saddler, Coulombe, Nelson,
Carrick, Burke, Hall, and Fields.
HB 193-UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS; PAID PARENT LEAVE
3:20:52 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 193, "An Act establishing a paid parental
leave program; relating to unemployment benefits; relating to
the collection of child support obligations; and relating to the
duties of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development."
3:21:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS opened public testimony on HB 193.
3:21:49 PM
JEN GRIFFIS, MD, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, Alaska
Children's Trust (ACT), testified in support of HB 193. She
gave prepared remarks [included in the committee file], which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
My name is Dr. Jen Griffis, Vice President of Policy &
Advocacy at the Alaska Children's Trust. ACT is the
statewide lead organization focused on the prevention
of child abuse and neglect. Our efforts focus on
primary prevention, or identification of how the
system can support families and children long before
harm occurs. A comprehensive statewide paid family and
medical leave policy is one of ACTs current policy
priorities. HB 193 provides an important opportunity
for legislators to explore the development of a
comprehensive paid leave policy in Alaska. Research on
paid leave demonstrates that these programs meet
several characteristics of a primary prevention
strategy. For example, access to paid leave has been
connected to increased kindergarten readiness and
better educational outcomes. It also increases
workforce participation and job retention, which
supports family economic stability and reduces the
need for public assistance. It results in better long-
term and short-term maternal and child health
outcomes, and improvements in each of these areas
education, economics, and health are key to reducing
rates of child abuse and neglect.
While we enthusiastically support the initiatives
demonstrated in HB 193, we would like to ask the
committee to consider two specific adjustments to the
legislation. The first is to make Alaska's paid leave
program truly comprehensive by including other types
of leave that are covered under the Family Medical
Leave Act. The need to take extended leave from work
is not limited to the birth or adoption of a child.
Many parents find themselves needing to take planned
time away from work to care for an older child with a
complex illness, an aging parent, or their own medical
condition. Second, we would like to offer a program
and cost modeling analysis for the committee to
consider that will support a more dynamic policy that
includes options for adjusting policy levers such as
the number of weeks and percentage of wage replacement
to ensure that the program is accessible to lower-
income Alaskans. We're happy to engage in further
conversations with committee members to support these
efforts. This type of comprehensive statewide paid
medical family leave policy, a policy that extends
beyond bonding leave and encompasses a broader range
of family medical needs has been adopted by several
states across the country and there is bipartisan
legislation being considered by many more. It fits
especially well with the public insurance model, like
the one in HB 193, and has the potential to benefit
all workers in Alaska over the course of their
careers. A comprehensive statewide paid family and
medical leave program is good for Alaska's families,
children, community, and businesses. We're grateful to
the sponsor and to the committee for bringing this
legislation forward.
3:25:02 PM
DR. GRIFFIS, in response to a question from Representative
Saddler, voiced her concern that the wage replacement rate in
the current version of the proposed legislation would be 50
percent. She asserted that 50 percent was too low for mothers
making minimum wage, stating that it was unlikely that wage
replacement rate would be sufficient to pursue access to paid
family medical leave. She acknowledged that 50 percent was
consistent with other unemployment insurance (UI) programs but
remarked that it was "fairly low" for paid leave programs in
other states.
3:26:15 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked what percentage of funds would go out to
family leave other than parental leave should the committee
consider expanding the coverage of HB 193.
DR. GRIFFIS replied that research from other states that have
implemented the model shows that self-medical leave, parental
bonding leave, medical leave related to pregnancy and birth, and
caregiving leave were, in order, the largest percentages of
family leave following parental leave. Additionally, she stated
that she would follow up with the research for the committee.
DR. GRIFFIS, in response to a follow-up question from Co-Chair
Fields, clarified that the percentage was representative of the
leave requests that are granted by a state, not necessarily the
length of leave or percentage of funds that were distributed.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS requested statistics on the percentage of funds
spent on parental leave versus other types of leave.
DR. GRIFFIS responded that she would follow-up with the
committee.
3:28:55 PM
DR. GRIFFIS, in response to a question from Representative
Saddler, explained that other states that have implemented a
comprehensive leave program modelled after their UI system have
utilized additional wage contribution above their UI system.
3:29:59 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 193.
3:30:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted that it appeared that benefits were
capped at those who earned over $70,250 annually, referring to
page 20, line 12 of the proposed legislation.
CO-CHAIR HALL stated that was correct. She noted the number was
meant to be a "starting point" and could be adjusted if needed.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS added his understanding that the proposed
legislation would update the existing UI maximum weekly benefit,
increasing it from $50,000 to $70,000 to benefit more middle-
class families. He asked for confirmation that the proposed
legislation would update the existing UI maximum weekly benefits
and provide corresponding paid parental leave benefits.
CO-CHAIR HALL confirmed that was correct.
3:32:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked whether the proposed legislation
would threaten the solvency of the UI fund, noting that one of
her amendments had suggested using the excess funds for
"existing responsibilities."
CO-CHAIR FIELDS deferred to Paloma Harbour.
3:33:21 PM
PALOMA HARBOUR, Budget Manager, Division of Insurance,
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DOLWD), answered
that the trust fund would remain solvent without the revenue
described in HB 193.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked whether the fund would remain
solvent, even if revenue was diverted year after year. She
stated that she had wanted to use the money for a one-time fund
to fix the "budget situation."
MS. HARBOUR replied that she had stress-tested the fund, noting
that her team had exposed it to a recession "worse than COVID[-
19]," and stated that in that scenario, the fund fell below
statutory target solvency level. She noted in that scenario, it
would trigger an employer rate increase.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked for confirmation that, were there
a threat to the solvency of the fund, the employer would receive
an increase in taxes.
MS. HARBOUR responded that that was correct.
3:34:58 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked for confirmation that it would require a
recession as severe as the one triggered by COVID-19 to
necessitate revisiting the employer contribution to the UI.
MS. HARBOUR responded yes. She emphasized that the benefits
increase was the larger stressor on the fund, not the 0.15
diversion under HB 193.
3:35:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked if the extra revenue was not used
for paid parental leave, could the legislators statutorily
decrease taxes to employer and/or employees.
MS. HARBOUR replied that it was a possible alternative to reduce
the tax rate.
3:36:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked for the current maximum monthly
payout for unemployment and the current maximum monthly payout
under HB 193.
MS. HARBOUR answered that the current maximum monthly payout was
$370 per week, and that it would increase to $675 per week under
HB 193.
3:37:08 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked for confirmation that an individual who
earned $100,000 would receive the maximum weekly benefit of
$675.
MS. HARBOUR confirmed that the maximum weekly benefit would cap
out at $675 under HB 193.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked how HB 193 would change Alaska's ranking
for UI benefits compared to other states. He noted that Alaska
was currently at or near the bottom with the current payout.
MS. HARBOUR responded that she would follow up with the answer.
3:38:16 PM
MS. HARBOUR, in response to a question from Representative
Saddler, replied that if annual wages were above the maximum
listed under HB 193, they would be capped at the maximum weekly
benefit.
3:39:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked where the excess funds that are
not used for benefits would go should unemployment rates go
down. She asked if the funds would remain in the UI trust fund.
MS. HARBOUR responded that the funds would remain in the trust
fund. She further stated that the U.S. Treasury manages the
trust fund.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE referred to the account created under HB
193 which would be managed by the Department of Administration
(DOA).
CO-CHAIR FIELDS confirmed that Representative Coulombe was
referring to excess funds that would be in the separate account
created under HB 193 for the purpose of parental leave benefits.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE confirmed that was correct.
3:40:42 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 3:40 p.m.
3:41:19 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS illustrated a scenario in which unemployment
rates were low under HB 193 and asked what would happen to the
funds contributed into the UI fund by employers.
3:41:55 PM
LENNON WELLER, Economist, Department of Labor and Workforce
Development (DOLWD), responded that, regardless of the
unemployment rate or rate of benefits claims, all revenue that
is deposited into the trust fund can only be used to pay
benefits. Additionally, he stated that the 0.15 tax proposed
under HB 193 would be deposited into a separate fund.
3:43:27 PM
MS. HARBOUR added that the paid parental leave fund would be
managed by the State of Alaska as a state general designated
fund and could be subject to certain regulations.
3:46:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Co-Chair Hall her reason for
limiting the scope of the proposed bill to paid parental leave
and not including family medical leave as proposed by Dr.
Griffis.
CO-CHAIR HALL responded that she would like to collect data
after passage of HB 193 before expanding the legislation to
ensure that Alaska could afford an expansion to include family
medical leave.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS added that the inclusion of a paid parental
leave program would make Alaska a more competitive place for
people to work.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that HB 193 was held over.
HB 144-INSURANCE; PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS
3:48:21 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 144, "An Act relating to prior authorization
requests for medical care covered by a health care insurer;
relating to a prior authorization application programming
interface; relating to step therapy; and providing for an
effective date." [Before the committee was CSHB 144(HSS).]
3:48:36 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS opened public testimony on CSHB 144(HSS). After
ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he
closed public testimony on CSHB 144(HSS).
3:49:44 PM
LORI WINGHEIER, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of
Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, answered
questions during the hearing on CSHB 144(HSS). She introduced
herself for the public record.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how the proposed legislation might
integrate into Alaska's current system of prior authorizations
and health insurance.
MS. WINGHEIER replied that Alaska was not the first state to
implement legislation like CSHB 144(HSS). She noted that
Premera [Blue Cross], an insurance company, already "does this
in Washington" and further noted that it would not be difficult
to expand to Alaska and that Premera Blus Cross was supportive
of the proposed legislation. She additionally reported that she
had not heard any other insurance companies voice concerns about
a process change or significant costs.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Ms. Wingheier to speak to the
benefits of the proposed legislation for the state's health
insurance market or to insured individuals.
MS. WINGHEIER clarified that CSHB 144(HSS) would only apply to
Title 21, stating that it would not extend to Alaska Care, union
plans, or large self-insured employers, such as Carr's Safeway,
or native corporations like the Arctic Slope Regional
Corporation (ASRC). She said that Title 21 applies to the
individual market - the "small group and large group" that is
not large enough to self-insure but still needs to provide
benefits to employees. She noted that the proposed legislation
would apply to approximately 118,000 people in the state who
would be able to access healthcare sooner than if they had to go
through a written prior authorization process that could take
days to weeks. She further noted that both the providers and
the insurers were very supportive of CSHB 144(HSS) and stated
that there were concerns about the current process being time-
consuming and costly. She stated that, with the introduction of
electronic submissions under CSHB 144(HSS) whilst "keeping the
guardrails," both providers and insurers are expecting to see
prior authorizations quicker, which would allow people to
receive timely care.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER opined that insurance companies and
physicians don't typically get along. He asked whether
insurance companies receive any other benefits from the proposed
legislation.
MS. WINGHEIER replied that the insurance companies did not
receive any other benefits from the proposed legislation. She
referred to prior authorization legislation from the prior year
[2024], during which the providers and insurers had many
disagreements. She explained that after the 2024 legislative
session, she began to meet with providers and insurers on a
prior authorization bill. She further explained that insurers
and providers eventually came to an agreement during the
process, which resulted in CSHB 144(HSS). She noted that one
insurer even suggested that CSHB 144(HSS) be submitted to the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to become
a national model.
3:53:26 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked if there was a way to quantify money saved
on administrative costs in reducing wait times for prior
authorization.
MS. WINGHEIER replied that she did not have that information.
She noted that the time spent on prior authorizations is
significant, providing an anecdote about employees who "do
nothing but prior authorization."
3:54:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned the cooperation between
providers and insurers and the proposed legislation.
3:54:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN RUFFRIDGE, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, answered questions during the hearing on CSHB
144(HSS). He stated that the consensus was a result of a lot of
hard work from many different people.
3:55:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked how the proposed legislation would
apply to an individual with a chronic condition. She opined
that piece of CSHB 144(HSS) was the "best part of the bill."
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE answered that step therapy was a
process by which the insurer would direct an individual to a
cheaper mechanism of treatment and explained that an individual
would have to prove that they had gone through and attempted
every suggestion. He noted that when an individual switches
health insurers, they are still required to go through step
therapy, despite having a chronic condition and otherwise
completing step therapy with the previous insurer. He stated
that CSHB 144(HSS) would not require individuals with chronic
conditions to redo step therapy and would only require
individuals to annually certify with their physicians that they
are continuing to use and need the medication or service for
their chronic condition.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE thanked Representative Ruffridge.
3:58:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether there were any elements
that he had wished to include in CSHB 144(HSS).
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE stated that the proposed legislation
would be a huge step forward. He asserted that access to care
in Alaska has consistently been a large issue, noting that costs
of care are ever-increasing, insurance costs are rising, and
that Alaska is spending more unrestricted general funds on
healthcare. He stated that he plans to do more work in
increasing access to healthcare for Alaska.
3:59:20 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that CSHB 144(HSS) was held over.
3:59:32 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:59 p.m. to 4:04 p.m.
HB 96-HOME CARE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADV BOARD
4:04:02 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 96, "An Act establishing the Home Care
Employment Standards Advisory Board; relating to payment for
personal care services; and providing for an effective date."
[Before the committee was CSHB 96(HSS).]
4:04:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Representative Prax about the
required timeline of CSHB 96(HSS), suggesting that there was not
an immediate need for the proposed legislation. He further
asked for the federal requirements from the Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services (CMS).
4:04:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PRAX, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, answered questions during the hearing on HB 96. He
noted that there was a proposed federal deadline for 2028 for
the advisory board created by CSHB 96(HSS), which was uncertain
due to federal administration changes. He asserted that there
was a need for a board to resolve "compensation issues" and
improve the services of the homecare industry.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the legislators should pass
CSHB 96(HSS), considering federal requirements could change in
the next few years.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX deferred to Mr. Newman to speak to the risks
of establishing the board outlined under CSHB 96(HSS).
CO-CHAIR FIELDS added that "efficient utilization of Medicaid
dollars" and increased availability of homecare was the benefit
of the proposed legislation regardless of decisions made by the
federal administration.
4:07:12 PM
TONY NEWMAN, Deputy Director, Senior and Disabilities Services,
Department of Health, explained that the federal Access Rule
[Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services] mandated the development
of an "interested parties advisory group" by July 2026, pending
no changes from the federal government. He further explained
that there were additional duties expected within three to four
years of the establishment of the board.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked which elements of the proposed
legislation were required and which elements were optional.
MR. NEWMAN explained that the federal Access Rule requires
Alaska to establish payment rate publication, payment adequacy
reporting, and it requires that a minimum percentage of rate
paid for the services is directed to the care worker also
known as the 80 percent rule.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX stated that he would follow up with more
information for the committee for Representative Saddler. He
additionally stated that he would provide a document comparing
the proposals under CSHB 96(HSS) and the Federal Access rule
provisions.
4:10:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment [1] to CSHB
96(HSS), labeled 34-LS0297\G.1, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which read
as follows:
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "establishing"
Insert "relating to"
Page 6, line 26, through page 7, line 2:
Delete "An agency that is granted a hardship
exemption shall pay as compensation and benefits to
its employees performing personal care services,
(1) beginning July 1, 2026, at least 60
percent of the total annual amount of funding the
agency receives for personal care services from the
department; and
(2) beginning July 1, 2036, at least 80 percent
of the total annual amount of funding the agency
receives for personal care services from the
department."
Page 7, line 3:
Delete "and (g)"
Page 7, following line 8:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 3. AS 44.29.900, 44.29.905, 44.29.910,
44.29.915, 44.29.920, 44.29.925, 44.29.930, 44.29.935,
44.29.940, 44.29.945; AS 47.07.045(f), 47.07.045(g),
47.07.045(h), and 47.07.045(i) are repealed June 30,
2032."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 8, line 7:
Delete "sec. 5"
Insert "sec. 6"
Page 8, line 15:
Delete "sec. 5"
Insert "sec. 6"
Page 8, line 16:
Delete "sec. 6"
Insert "sec. 7"
Page 8, line 17:
Delete "sec. 7"
Insert "sec. 8"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:11:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment [1] would sunset
the proposed board under HB 96 in 2032. He stated that he
thought it would be advantageous to the legislature to review
the work of the board and ensure that it fulfilled its proposed
duties. He explained that the amendment additionally would
remove language that would require agencies with the hardship
exemption to follow the proposals under CSHB 96(HSS).
4:12:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked the effect of sunsetting the
proposed board under CSHB 96(HSS) given that some of the
requirements are federal.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER deferred to Mr. Newman.
MR. NEWMAN replied that the federal rule does not mention sunset
dates and offered his assumption that the proposed Home Care
Employment Standards Advisory Board was intended to be "in
perpetuity."
4:12:57 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that he was opposed to Amendment 1
because workforce input would be valuable to the industry beyond
2032. He additionally remarked that he had not heard of any
agencies unable to meet the 70 percent minimum nor had he heard
that wages were a primary barrier to the function of homecare
agencies.
4:14:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for clarification that wages were
or were not a factor in attracting workforce.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS clarified that he had not heard that payment of
adequate wages was a barrier for agencies. He additionally
stated that inadequate wages made it "impossible for agencies to
recruit and retrain sufficient workforce to provide care."
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Mr. Newman the floor is regarding
money received from Medicaid services required to be paid to
providers.
MR. NEWMAN replied that for personal care services, "50 percent
of total Medicaid rate needs to be paid in the form of worker
wages" per federal regulation.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS, in response to a follow-up question from
Representative Saddler regarding changing the threshold from 60
percent to 50 percent, replied that it would not alleviate his
concerns.
4:15:10 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Saddler, Nelson,
Coulombe voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 1 to
CSHB 96(HSS). Representatives Burke, Carrick, Hall, Fields
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment [1] to HB 96 failed to
be adopted by a vote of 3-4.
4:15:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment [2] to CSHB
96(HSS), labeled 34-LS0297\G.2, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which read
as follows:
Page 1, line 10:
Delete "nonvoting member, except in the case of a
tie"
Insert "voting member"
Page 1, line 12:
Delete "nonvoting"
Insert "voting"
Delete "and"
Page 1, line 13:
Delete "eight"
Insert "seven"
Page 2, lines 5 - 9:
Delete all material and insert:
"(B) one voting member who represents a
provider that is not a covered provider but provides
chore services, hourly respite services, personal care
services, or habilitation services;"
Page 2, line 19, following "state":
Insert "; and
(4) four members appointed by the
commissioner of labor and workforce development, as
follows:
(A) one voting member who represents direct
care workers;
(B) one voting member who represents
workers providing chore services, hourly respite
services, personal care services, or habilitation
services for a provider that is not a covered
provider;
(C) one voting member who represents the
public; and
(D) one voting member who represents
individuals who provide unpaid care to recipients of
care services"
Page 2, line 21, following "AS 44.29.905(3)":
Insert "and (4)"
Page 2, line 23, following "AS 44.29.905(3)":
Insert "and (4)"
Page 2, line 24, following "the" in both places:
Insert "appointing"
Page 2, line 27, following "The":
Insert "appointing"
Page 2, line 28, following "AS 44.29.905(3)":
Insert "or (4)"
Page 2, line 29, following "The":
Insert "appointing"
Page 7, line 14:
Delete "commissioner of health"
Insert "commissioners of health and labor and
workforce development"
Page 7, line 15, following "AS 44.29.905(3)":
Insert "and (4)"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:15:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained Amendment 2 would increase the
total number of the proposed board's members from 10 to 13,
including more members that represent non-Medicaid and Medicare
providers. Additionally, he stated that the amendment would
split the authority of the board between the commissioner of DOH
and the commissioner of the Department of Labor & Workforce
Development (DOLWD), and it would create 11 voting members and 2
non-voting members.
4:16:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked the bill sponsor for his thoughts
on Amendment 2.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted that there was a lot of work done by
stakeholders on CSHB 96(HSS). He remarked that more members
would require a larger number to come to a quorum and stated
that the existing composition of the board was adequate.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS added that he opposed the amendment because he
believed that the additional board members proposed by the
amendment would dilute the voice of Medicaid providers, which he
opined was very important in efficient services.
4:17:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that almost every professional
existing board has a public member, which was a proposed
position in his amendment. He added that the amendment
additionally provided for a voting seat of a family member
taking care of a loved one at home. He asserted that the
amendment would provide additional perspectives and result in
better work.
4:17:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked the reason behind turning the
commissioners from nonvoting to voting members in his proposed
amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted that, because the commissioners
would be in charge of the board and be required to respond to
requests for information under CSHB 96(HSS), they should be
given a vote. He additionally stated that a larger board is
advantageous because there was less individual authority.
[CO-CHAIR HALL'S objection was treated as maintained.]
4:18:50 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Coulombe, Saddler,
and Nelson voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 2 to
CSHB 96(HSS). Representatives Carrick, Burke, Hall, and Fields
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 2 failed to be adopted
by a vote of 3-4.
4:19:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment [3] to CSHB
96(HSS), labeled 34-LS0297\G.3, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which read
as follows:
Page 3, line 2:
Delete "at least three"
Insert "not more than four"
Page 3, lines 2 - 3:
Delete "and shall hold additional meetings as
often as necessary to accomplish the duties of the
board"
Page 3, lines 7 - 8:
Delete "a quorum present at a meeting is
sufficient"
Insert "the total voting membership is necessary"
Page 3, line 10:
Delete "but are"
Insert "and are not"
Page 3, line 11:
Delete "authorized for boards and commissions
under AS 39.20.180"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:19:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment 3 would limit
the board's annual meeting to no more than four. He noted that
the current language of the proposed legislation was vague.
4:20:41 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS noted that he would be offering a future
amendment to allow for teleconference meetings.
4:20:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether CSHB 96(HSS) currently
specified that the meetings had to occur in person.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX deferred his answer to Mr. Newman.
MR. NEWMAN offered his belief that in the previous committee of
referral, CSHB 94(HSS) was amended to allow meetings to occur
via in-person or teleconference.
4:21:51 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Nelson, Coulombe,
and Saddler voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 3 to
CSHB 96(HSS). Representatives Burke, Carrick, Hall, and Fields
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 3 failed to be adopted
by a vote of 3-4.
4:22:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment [4] to CSHB
96(HSS), labeled 34-LS0297\G.4, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which read
as follows:
Page 3, lines 24 - 25:
Delete ", as the services pertain to wages and
working conditions"
Page 3, line 26:
Delete all material.
Reletter the following subparagraphs accordingly.
Page 4, lines 2 - 3:
Delete all material.
Reletter the following subparagraphs accordingly.
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:22:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment 4 would change
the powers and duties of the proposed board by removing training
requirements from the proposed legislation.
4:23:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked what the bill sponsor thought of
the amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX stated that the state is not involved in
unpaid, voluntary care of a family member at home, and the
legislation would only apply to paid workers.
4:24:33 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS said that he opposed the proposed amendment.
4:25:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated that the language does not define
a "living wage," which would give the proposed board a lot of
leeway, noting that one could theoretically define $100,000 a
year as a living wage.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX, in response to questions from committee
members, remarked that there are people who feel burdened in
taking care of parents, noting that some need to leave their
jobs in order to take care of their family members.
4:28:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that he felt it important for
unpaid family members to be "respected and not denigrated."
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX provided a personal anecdote about taking
care of his mother with the help of his siblings, noting that it
was well worth the sacrifice. He further noted that not
everyone was in the same position as himself.
4:30:16 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Coulombe, Saddler,
and Nelson voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 4 to
CSHB 96(HSS). Representatives Burke, Carrick, Hall, and Fields
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 4 failed to be adopted
by a vote of 3-4.
4:30:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment [5] to CSHB
96(HSS), labeled 34-LS0297\G.5, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which read
as follows:
Page 4, line 30:
Delete "the provision of quality services,
improved recruitment and retention, and"
Page 5, line 5, following "system;":
Insert "and"
Page 5, lines 6 - 8:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following paragraph accordingly.
Page 5, lines 12 - 15:
Delete "If the rate set by the department for a
covered service differs significantly from the rate
recommended by the board, the commissioner shall
notify the board and the chair of each legislative
committee having jurisdiction of health and social
services in writing."
Page 5, lines 16 - 20:
Delete all material.
Page 7, lines 21 - 26:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 8, line 7:
Delete "sec. 5"
Insert "sec. 4"
Page 8, line 15:
Delete "sec. 5"
Insert "sec. 4"
Page 8, line 16:
Delete "sec. 6"
Insert "sec. 5"
Page 8, line 17:
Delete "sec. 7"
Insert "sec. 6"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:30:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment 5 would remove
language that implied caring for a family member was
undesirable, would require the Department of Health to notify
the proposed board. He opined that it was problematic to
require that a department justify its actions to a board. He
further stated that the amendment would remove the requirement
that DOH publish a preliminary report, citing that there was not
enough time to generate a report proposed by CSHB 96 (HSS)
4:32:46 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Nelson, Coulombe,
and Saddler voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 5 to
CSHB 96(HSS). Representatives Burke, Carrick, Hall, and Fields
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 5 failed to be adopted
by a vote of 3-4.
4:33:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment [6] to CSHB
96(HSS), labeled 34-LS0297\G.6, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which read
as follows:
Page 6, line 26, through page 7, line 2:
Delete "An agency that is granted a hardship
exemption shall pay as compensation and benefits to
its employees performing personal care services,
(1) beginning July 1, 2026, at least 60
percent of the total annual amount of funding the
agency receives for personal care services from the
department; and
(2) beginning July 1, 2036, at least 80
percent of the total annual amount of funding the
agency receives for personal care services from the
department."
Page 7, line 3:
Delete "and (g)"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:33:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that the proposed amendment
would eliminate the existing "hardship exemption" under CSHB 96
(HSS).
4:34:22 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Nelson, Coulombe,
and Saddler voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 6 to
CSHB 96(HSS). Representatives Carrick, Burke, Hall, and Fields
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 6 failed to be adopted
by a vote of 3-4.
4:34:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment [7] to CSHB
96(HSS), labeled 34-LS0297\G.7, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which read
as follows:
Page 7, line 11:
Delete "APPOINTMENTS, FIRST MEETING, AND
PRELIMINARY REPORT"
Insert "APPOINTMENTS AND FIRST MEETING"
Page 7, line 13:
Delete "2025"
Insert "2026"
Page 7, lines 16 - 26:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 8, line 7:
Delete "sec. 5"
Insert "sec. 4"
Page 8, line 15:
Delete "sec. 5"
Insert "sec. 4"
Page 8, line 16:
Delete "sec. 6"
Insert "sec. 5"
Page 8, line 17:
Delete "sec. 7"
Insert "sec. 6"
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER restated his motion for clarification.
CO-CHAIR HALL objected for the purpose of discussion.
4:35:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment 7 would delay
the first meeting of the proposed board from 2025 to 2026.
4:35:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked for confirmation that the first
meeting would be October 1, 2026.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER replied yes.
4:37:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX acknowledged that three months was a tight
deadline. He asked Mr. Newman whether DOH would be in favor of
the proposed amendment.
MR. NEWMAN added that if CSHB 96(HSS) were passed, DOH would
need to develop regulations.
4:37:56 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 7 was adopted.
4:38:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment [8] to CSHB
96(HSS), as amended, labeled 34-LS0297\G.13, A. Radford,
4/22/25, which read as follows:
Page 8, line 13:
Delete "on the day"
Insert "one year"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:38:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained Amendment 8 would delay the
date of the meeting of the board.
4:38:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked for Mr. Newman's thoughts on the
proposed amendment.
MR. NEWMAN noted that DOH needs to comply with the federal rule
by 2028.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX added that he was unsure that the amendment
would accomplish its intent.
4:41:05 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that he was opposed to the amendment
because the section of the bill that it was attempting to change
was a conditional affect section anyways.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX referred to page 6, line 29 of the proposed
legislation and offered his understanding that DOH would have 10
years to create the report mandated by CSHB 96 (HSS).
4:44:17 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Saddler, Coulombe,
and Nelson voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 8 to
CSHB 96(HSS), as amended. Representatives Burke, Carrick, Hall,
and Fields voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 8 failed to
be adopted by a vote of 3-4.
4:44:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE moved to adopt Amendment [9] to CSHB
96(HSS), as amended, labeled 34-LS0297\G.14, A. Radford,
4/22/25, which read as follows:
Page 1, line 13:
Delete "eight"
Insert "nine"
Page 2, lines 5 - 9:
Delete ", at least one of whom is a labor
representative of at least 300 direct care workers; a
member appointed under this subparagraph may not be a
representative of an organization or association that
advocates for the interests of covered providers or
agencies that provide covered services"
Page 2, line 10:
Delete "one voting member who is an enrollee or a
representative"
Insert "two voting members who are enrollees or
representatives"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected
4:44:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE explained that the amendment would add a
representative and an enrollee to the proposed Home Care
Employment Standards Advisory Board, noting that under CSHB
96(HSS), as amended, there was one enrollee member. She further
explained that Amendment 9 would remove some qualifiers and
opined that the language was too descriptive.
4:45:56 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS stated that he was opposed to the proposed
amendment because he wanted to make sure that direct care
workers could work without fear of intimidation or coercion.
4:46:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER added that there was nothing in the
proposed amendment that would prohibit a member of a labor
organization from serving as a member of the proposed board.
4:46:46 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Saddler, Coulombe,
and Nelson voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 9 to
CSHB 96(HSS), as amended. Representatives Carrick, Burke, Hall,
and Fields voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 9 failed to
be adopted by a vote of 3-4.
4:47:13 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment [10] to CSHB 96(HSS),
as amended, labeled 34-LS0297\G.9, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which
read as follows:
Page 3, lines 3 - 4:
Delete "in person or"
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected.
4:47:21 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that Amendment 10 would reduce the
cost of HB 96, noting that the amendment would clarify that in-
person meetings would not be required under the proposed
legislation and members could meet by teleconference or other
electronic means.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE said that she likes reducing costs.
4:48:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER removed his objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 10 was adopted.
4:48:20 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment [11] to CSHB 96(HSS),
as amended, labeled 34-LS0297\G.10, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which
read as follows:
Page 4, line 8:
Delete "information"
Insert "data, information,"
Page 4, lines 13 - 18:
Delete all material.
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:48:30 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that Amendment 11 would reduce
associated costs of data collection and reporting by reducing
unnecessary reporting. He explained that the amendment would
"change report to say that a state agency that receives a
reasonable request for data, information, or testimony from the
board will comply as soon as its reasonably practicable."
4:49:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked for the purpose of inserting the
word "data".
CO-CHAIR FIELDS replied that the purpose of inserting the word
"data" was to give DOH the authority to produce a direct answer
when requested without generating "an entire report." He
clarified that the intention was to give DOH flexibility to
answer a question with the least information that is deemed
necessary.
4:50:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for a definition of "reasonable
request," asking whether there was a precedent set for this
term.
MR. NEWMAN stated that DOH would anticipate an increased need
for data under CSHB 96(HSS), which would require more staff.
4:52:08 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 11 was adopted.
4:52:16 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment [12] to CSHB 96(HSS),
as amended, labeled 34-LS0297\G.11, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which
read as follows:
Page 4, line 20, following the first occurrence of
"report":
Insert "in digital format"
Page 4, lines 23 - 24:
Delete "and all materials presented before the
board"
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE objected.
4:52:23 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that Amendment 12 provides
clarification that would allow DOH to produce materials in
digital formats for the purpose of reducing the cost of the
proposed legislation.
4:52:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked whether CSHB 96 (HSS) would only
require a digital format.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS confirmed Representative Coulombe's
understanding was correct.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER referred to page 4, line 23, citing the
amendment would delete "all materials presented before the
board".
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked if there was further discussion regarding
Amendment 12.
4:54:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to divide the question on Amendment
12, noting that he liked the first part of the amendment, but
that he did not like the second part of the amendment.
CO-CHAIR HALL objected to the motion to divide the question.
4:55:11 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Saddler, Carrick,
Nelson, and Coulombe voted in favor of the motion to divide the
question on Amendment 12 to CSHB 96(HSS), as amended.
Representatives Burke, Hall, and Fields voted against it.
Therefore, the motion to divide the question on Amendment 12
passed by a vote of 4-3.
4:55:48 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 4:55 p.m.
4:56:30 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS [moved to adopt] Amendment [12 A] to CSHB
96(HSS), as amended, which read as follows:
Page 4, line 20, following the first occurrence of
"report":
Insert "in digital format"
CO-CHAIR HALL stated that she removed her objection.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced there being no further objection,
Amendment 12 A was adopted.
4:57:05 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment [12 B] to CSHB 96(HSS),
as amended, which read as follows:
Page 4, lines 23 - 24:
Delete "and all materials presented before the
board"
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected.
4:57:18 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Carrick, Burke,
Hall, and Fields voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment
12 B to CSHB 96(HSS), as amended. Representatives Nelson,
Coulombe, and Saddler voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 12
B was adopted by a vote of 4-3.
4:58:00 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment [13] to CSHB 96(HSS),
as amended, labeled 34-LS0297\G.12, A. Radford, 4/22/25, which
read as follows:
Page 5, lines 16 - 20:
Delete all material.
Page 7, lines 21 - 26:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 8, line 7:
Delete "sec. 5"
Insert "sec. 4"
Page 8, line 15:
Delete "sec. 5"
Insert "sec. 4"
Page 8, line 16:
Delete "sec. 6"
Insert "sec. 5"
Page 8, line 17:
Delete "sec. 7"
Insert "sec. 6"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected.
4:58:16 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that the proposed amendment would
change the requirements of the proposed annual reporting dates.
4:58:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if the prime sponsor could speak to
the amendment.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS clarified that his intention was not to mandate
the publication of the specific information that CSHB 96 (HSS)
was referring to.
MR. NEWMAN remarked that the federal rule requires that
information be made publicly available, including, he believed,
information that would be developed by the proposed board.
5:00:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE commented that the public should have
easy access to a report that they are paying for. She remarked
that she would be opposing the amendment.
5:00:18 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS [moved to withdraw] Amendment 13, offering his
appreciation for Representative Coulombe's comments. [There
being no objection, Amendment 13 was withdrawn.]
5:00:37 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL moved to report CSHB 96(HSS), as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected.
5:01:43 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 5:01 p.m.
5:02:03 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL withdrew her motion.
5:02:12 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS opened public testimony on CSHB 96(HSS), as
amended. After ascertaining that there was no one who wished to
testify, he closed public testimony.
5:02:19 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL restated her motion to report CSHB 96(HSS), as
amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected.
5:03:19 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Burke, Carrick,
Hall, and Fields voted in favor of the motion to report
CSHB(HSS), as amended, out of committee. Representatives
Saddler, Coulombe, and Nelson voted against it. Therefore, CSHB
96(L&C) was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.
5:03:59 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 5:03 p.m. to 5:05 p.m.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Alaska Worker's Compensation Board
Alaska Worker's Compensation Board
^Alaska State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Alaska State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
^Board of Massage Therapists
Board of Massage Therapists
^Board of Examiners in Optometry
Board of Examiners in Optometry
5:05:02 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would
be a return to the confirmation hearings on the governor's
appointees to various boards and commissions.
5:05:20 PM
MICHELLE STEINER, Appointee, Board of Massage Therapists,
testified as an appointee to the Board of Massage Therapists.
She stated that she has been a massage therapist for 22 years,
and that she moved from Texas to Alaska in 2018.
[The confirmation hearing on the governor's appointee to the
Board of Massage Therapists was held over.]
HB 148-OMNIBUS INSURANCE BILL
5:05:54 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 148, "An Act relating to insurance; and
providing for an effective date."
5:06:06 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 5:06 PM to 5:07 PM.
5:07:11 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for HB 148, Version 34-LS0792\N, Wallace, 4/10/25,
("Version N") as a working document.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for the purposes of discussion.
5:07:23 PM
EVAN ANDERSON, Staff, Representative Zack Fields, Alaska State
Legislature, gave the summary of changes from Version A to
Version N, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Sections 40 & 42: Amends AS 21.36.475 to allow owner-
controlled and contractor-controlled insurance
programs for major multi-owner residential
construction projects. Defines "major multi-owner
residential construction project" as a construction
project with at least 50 units with a total cost of
$25 million or more.
Section 42: Deletes section guaranteeing umbrella
insurance coverage for elected officials.
Sections 47 & 48: Adds biopsies and consultations for
breast cancer screenings to the covered procedures for
health care insurance plans offered on the private
market. Defines biopsy and consultation.
Sections 49 51: Revises language about colorectal
cancer screenings to align with national guidelines
provided by the American Cancer Society.
Section 58: Revises language prohibiting the
depreciation of labor. This section allows optional
coverage to include the depreciation of labor, where
it provides a proportionate reduction in premium.
Section 65: Replaces "any Federal agency" with the
more precise "Department of Health and Human Services
or the Department of Treasury" per federal guidance.
5:09:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked why a certain section of HB 148
was being removed.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that the specific section she was
referring to was being removed due to testimony that encouraged
the action.
5:10:51 PM
LORI WINGHEIER, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of
Health & Social Services, answered committee questions on HB
148. She said that her office was initially unaware of the
issues that HB 148 was aiming to solve and emphasized the reason
for insurance denials.
5:12:36 PM
MR. ANDERSON resumed the sectional analysis on section 47 &
section 48.
5:15:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how the proposed legislation would
affect policy payers and health insurance companies alike.
MS. WINGHEIER answered that HB 148 could affect both policy
payers and health insurance companies.
5:16:55 PM
MR. ANDERSON continued the sectional analysis on section 58.
5:18:51 PM
MR. ANDERSON concluded the summary of changes on section 65.
5:21:10 PM
A roll call was started and voided.
5:22:02 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Carrick, Nelson,
Saddler, Burke, Hall, and Fields voted in favor of CSHB 148.
Representatives Coloumbe voted against it. Therefore, CSHB 148
was adopted by a vote of 6-1.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that HB 148 was held over.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Alaska Worker's Compensation Board
Alaska Worker's Compensation Board
^Alaska State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Alaska State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
^Board of Massage Therapists
Board of Massage Therapists
^Board of Examiners in Optometry
Board of Examiners in Optometry
5:22:35 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the final order of business would
be a return to the confirmation hearings on the governor's
appointees to various boards and commissions.
5:22:41 PM
SHERYL LENTFER, Appointee, Board of Examiners in Optometry,
testified during her confirmation hearing. She shared that she
had been practicing in Alaska since 1996 and said that she would
like to continue her work in ensuring the quality of optometry
in the state.
5:23:18 PM
CHARLES RUDSTROM, Appointee, Board of Examiners in Optometry,
testified during his confirmation hearing. He said that he had
lived in Alaska for 27 years and had served on various local and
state boards.
5:23:55 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL asked Mr. Rudstrom why he was interested in the
Board of Examiners in Optometry.
MR. RUDSTROM noted that he did not have any background or
experience in optometry and said that he was interested in
serving on it.
5:24:55 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS opened public testimony on the confirmation
hearings.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS, after ascertaining that there was no one who
wished to testify on the confirmation hearings, closed public
testimony.
[The confirmation hearings on the governor's appointees to the
Board of Examiners in Optometry were held over.]
5:25:08 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
5:25 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 96 Version I.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/16/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Sectional Analysis ver I.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/16/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Supoprting Document-DoH Continuum of Care 4.10.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/16/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB0148A.pdf |
HL&C 3/26/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 148 |
| HB148 - Insurance Terms Reference.pdf |
HL&C 3/26/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 148 |
| HB 148 - Sectional Analysis Ver A.pdf |
HL&C 3/26/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 148 |
| HB148 Additional Document - DOI Response to HLC 4.2.25.pdf |
HL&C 4/4/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 148 |
| HB 148 CS 34-LS0792-N.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 148 |
| HB 148 - Summary of Changes v.A to v.N.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 148 |
| HB 144 Sectional Summary 4.9.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/16/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 144 |
| HB 144 Summary of Changes Ver A to Ver N 4.9.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/16/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 144 |
| HB 144 Sponsor Statement Ver A.pdf |
HHSS 4/3/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 144 |
| HB 193 Sponsor Statement 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/16/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 193 |
| HB 193 Ver G Sectional Analysis 4.10.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/16/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 193 |
| HB 193-Paid Parental Leave HL&C PPT 4.16.2025 UPDATED.pdf |
HL&C 4/16/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 193 |
| Sheryl Lentfer Optometry Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
Confirmation Hearings: L&C |
| Shannon Thompson Barbers Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
Confirmation Hearings (L&C) |
| Sara Faulkner AWCB Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
Confirmation Hearings (L&C) |
| Michelle Steiner Massage Therapists App_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
Confirmation Hearings (L&C) |
| Jessica Pestrikoff Hairdressers Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
Confirmation Hearings (L&C) |
| Jennifer Lombardo Barbers App_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
Confirmation Hearings (L&C) |
| Charles Rudstrom Optometry App_Redacted.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
Confirmation Hearings (L&C) |
| HB 96 Amendment G.1.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.2.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.3.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.4.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.5.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.6.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.7.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.13.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.14.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.9.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.10.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.11.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 96 Amendment G.12.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 148 UP Letter of Strong Support.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 148 |
| HB 96 Amendment Descriptions - 4.23.25.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 96 |
| HB 148 - Sectional Analysis v.N.pdf |
HL&C 4/23/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 148 |