Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/07/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB231 | |
| HB319 | |
| HB419 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 231 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 419 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 319 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 7, 2008
9:17 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 9:17:40 AM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Kim Elton
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
Senator Fred Dyson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Jeff Jesse, Executive Director, Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority, Department of Revenue; Jane Pierson, Staff,
Representative Jay Ramras; Representative Jay Ramras; Tom
Wright, Staff, Representative Mike Chenault; Mark Romick,
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Revenue;
Tom Wright, Staff, Representative Mike Chenault; Remond
Henderson, Deputy Director, Division of General Services,
Department of Administration
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Pat Luby, Advocacy Director, Alaska Association of Retired
Persons (AARP), Anchorage; Pete Higgins, President, Alaska
Dental Society; Royann Royer, Chugiak; Gail Walden, Dental
Hygienist, Wasilla; David Logan, Dentist, Legislative Chair,
Alaska Dental Society; Jim Lynch, Associate Vice President
of Finance, University of Alaska; Mark Romick, Director,
Planning Department, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation,
Department of Revenue
SUMMARY
SB 231 "An Act relating to the Alaska housing trust fund
and to the Alaska Council on the Homeless; and
providing for an effective date."
CSSB 321 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with three previous
published zero fiscal notes by the Department of
Public Safety, the Department of Health and Social
Services, and the Department of Corrections, and
with a new fiscal note by the Department of
Revenue.
CSHB 419(FIN)
"An Act relating to state lease-purchases of
equipment and other personal property; and
providing for an effective date."
CSHB 419(FIN) was heard and HELD in Committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 319(L&C)
"An Act relating to the practice of dentistry, to
dental assistants, and to dental hygienists."
SCS CSHB 319(HES) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and with
indeterminate fiscal note #2 by the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
9:17:59 AM
SENATE BILL NO. 231
"An Act relating to the Alaska housing trust fund and
to the Alaska Council on the Homeless; and providing
for an effective date."
JEFF JESSE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH TRUST
AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, acknowledged the issues
raised by the Committee in previous meetings regarding this
bill.
Co-Chair Stedman noted an email from Mark Romick, AHFC,
(copy on file), which answers some of the Committee's
concerns. He reported on a $10 million capital expenditure
from the Department of Revenue for this legislation. The
appropriation is in SB 221. $2.5 million comes from each of
four sources: general fund, AHFC, Mental Health Trust
Authority, and private sources. He requested to know the
position of the Mental Health Trust Board.
Mr. Jesse reported that the trustees have worked diligently
on low-income housing issues for a number of years. They
have invested $3 million to $4 million over the last few
years. The Mental Health Trust recognizes a concern that it
needs to provide more on-going support for projects. He
stated that the Trust is willing to commit to this project
for at least five years at the $2.5 million level per year.
To date, that is the largest commitment the Mental Health
Trust has made.
9:22:24 AM
PAT LUBY, ADVOCACY DIRECTOR, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED
PERSONS (AARP), ANCHORAGE, testified in support of SB 231.
He disavowed the stereotype of homeless people. He reported
that AARP has tracked the number of grandparents raising
grandchildren in Alaska and the corresponding financial
ramifications. He discussed the circumstances faced by
homeless children.
9:24:05 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT CSSB 231(FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSSB 321 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with three previous published zero
fiscal notes by the Department of Public Safety, the
Department of Health and Social Services, and the Department
of Corrections, and with a new fiscal note by the Department
of Revenue.
9:25:34 AM
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 319(L&C)
"An Act relating to the practice of dentistry, to
dental assistants, and to dental hygienists."
REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, Sponsor, explained that HB 319
continues the responsible exporting of dentistry across
Alaska, particularly in the rural areas. Oral hygiene is
critical and contributes to the health and nutritional
benefits of an individual.
JANE PIERSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, related the
details of the bill:
· Oral health plays a key role in overall health.
Unfortunately not all Alaskan's enjoy good dental
health due to geographical barriers, cost of dental
care and limitations on dental personnel.
· HB 319 follows the provisions allowing for expanded
duties of dental hygienist and dental assistants
improving access to dental care and reducing costs
for dental care.
· With expanded duties, dental hygienist, dental
assistants and dentists can provide greater access
and more costs effective care.
· This bill specifically lays the framework for
expanding dental assistant's duties for two specific
procedures. It would allow a certified dental
assistant, under a dentist's direct supervision to
place fillings into a cavity prepared by a licensed
dentist. And allows a certified dental assistant,
under a dentist's direct supervision, to polish teeth
that are already clean of tarter. These expanded
duties are already permitted in 36 other states.
· Includes under a dental hygienists' scope of practice
the ability to obtain a restorative function
endorsement permitting placement of a filling into a
cavity prepared by a licensed dentist and perform the
activities authorized under a collaborative agreement
with licensed dentist.
· Authorizes a licensed dental hygienist to administer
local anesthetic agents under the general supervision
of a licensed dentist. Sixteen other states have
variations of these provisions in place.
· Authorizes the Dental Board to approve a
collaborative agreement between a licensed dentist
and a licensed dental hygienist and specifies the
services and procedures allowed under a collaborative
agreement.
· Applies supervision requirements to a dental
hygienist operation in conjunction with a licensed
dentist under a collaborative agreement.
· Dental assistants who perform expanded duties of
packing cavities or polishing teeth will have to pass
a training program and an exam prior to becoming
eligible for certification by the Alaska Dental
Board. Furthermore, the supervising dentist must
personally authorize the procedure and examine the
patient afterwards.
· This bill is supported by the Alaska Dental Society,
Alaska Board of Dental Examiners, Alaska State Dental
Hygienist Association, Alaska Dental Outreach
Consortium and the Alaska Native Tribal Health
Consortium.
· Oral health plays a key role in overall health.
Untreated dental problems can cause pain, effect
nutrition, and influence quality of life. This bill
will increase the efficiency of delivering dental
while upholding the quality of that care.
9:29:40 AM
Co-Chair Stedman summarized that the bill would improve the
lack of dental services in rural areas. Ms. Pierson said it
would have a positive effect in both rural and urban Alaska
because it would expand the practices done by both
assistants and hygienists. Co-Chair Stedman asked if any
groups oppose the bill. Ms. Pierson said none that she knew
of.
Senator Thomas praised the combining of two bills into one
and suggested that the bill would also provide a career
track for dental assistants. He reported that there was not
opposition to the bill in previous committees.
Senator Huggins pointed out that the bill talks about
"direct supervision" and "indirect supervision", but not
about "general supervision". Ms. Pierson explained that
general supervision would be supervision where a dentist
would not have to be present to directly oversee the
procedure.
9:31:20 AM
Senator Olson asked how many dental hygienists there are in
rural Alaska. Ms. Pierson deferred to the Alaska Dental
Society to answer. Co-Chair Stedman said he had a list that
shows that information.
Senator Olson questioned if "direct supervision" means that
the dentist is present and supervising injections. Ms.
Pierson said that is correct. Senator Olson asked if there
had been any problems with local anesthesia in the past.
Ms. Pierson deferred to others to answer.
9:33:11 AM
PETE HIGGINS, PRESIDENT, ALASKA DENTAL SOCIETY, testified in
support of HB 319. He pointed out that the legislation
would help dentists in urban areas take on more Medicaid
patients. He addressed the question about hygienists
administering anesthetics. He said they are currently able
to if they pass the test, but dental assistants would not be
able to. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that more
patients receive dental services. Other states already have
this in place.
9:35:26 AM
ROYANN ROYER, CHUGIAK, testified in support of HB 319. She
listed her vast experience in the dental field. She
advocated for the legislation based on personal experience
delivering dental care in rural areas. She maintained that
the legislation would lead to more people being treated.
She noted this service is practiced in many other states.
9:37:28 AM
GAIL WALDEN, DENTAL HYGIENIST, WASILLA, testified in support
of HB 319. She pointed out that hygienists have been
administering anesthesia in Alaska since 1981. She reported
that there have never been any disciplinary actions against
the hygienists.
9:39:06 AM
DAVID LOGAN, DENTIST, LEGISLATIVE CHAIR, ALASKA DENTAL
SOCIETY, spoke in support of HB 319. It will help provide
more services in rural and underserved areas of Alaska. He
clarified the three different types of supervision.
"Direct" means that the dentist is in the facility and sees
the patient before and after the procedure. "Indirect"
means the dentist has seen the patient before the procedure,
but does not necessarily see them afterwards. "General"
means that dentist has diagnosed the condition and is not in
the facility at the time.
Co-Chair Stedman noted one fiscal note by the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
Representative Ramras reported that the intent of the bill
is to do no harm. The work would be done under appropriate
supervision.
Senator Olson MOVED to REPORT SCS CSHB 319(HES) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
SCS CSHB 319(HES) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with indeterminate fiscal note #2
by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
9:42:41 AM
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 419(FIN)
"An Act relating to state lease-purchases of equipment
and other personal property; and providing for an
effective date."
Senator Huggins MOVED to ADOPT SCS CSHB 419(FIN), labeled
25-LS1567\O, Cook, 4/3/08.
Senator Dyson OBJECTED. He requested an explanation of the
changes in the new CS.
9:43:48 AM
TOM WRIGHT, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CHENAULT, explained
that the new CS is the bill that was originally introduced
in House Finance. It does not allow any agency to do state
lease purchases.
Senator Dyson WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Mr. Wright explained that there were concerns about the
usage of the master lease line of credit. One of the items
used for lease purchase was Governor Murkowski's jet. There
have been 29 separate lease purchases. The legislature last
year authorized $16 million for the master lease line of
credit. This was problematic because there was no fund
source for it. There were a number of items that avoided
the appropriation process.
Mr. Wright related that the other concern was that some
payments were not showing up in the detail book. There was
lack of information about the source of funding and who
controlled the dollar amounts. The original intent of the
bill was to stop the master lease line of credit.
Co-Chair Stedman suggested that Mr. Wright provide more
information.
Mr. Wright reiterated that the bill does apply to all lease
purchase agreements. One of the problems was that AS
36.30.085 was too broad and lacked a definition of what a
lease purchase agreement was or how the departments were to
use it. There were only four agencies that were entitled to
use it. A 1987 Attorney General's opinion opened the door
to departmental abuse due to the broadness of the statute.
Mr. Wright reported that one of the goals of the bill is to
have a reporting mechanism regarding lease purchases. Any
agency that enters into a lease purchase contract over
$100,000 must provide written notice within 10 days to the
House and Senate presiding officers and the Finance
Committee chairs. It also requires OMB to compile a list of
every lease purchase item a department enters into. This
information would be used when drafting the operating
budget.
9:49:47 AM
Senator Dyson termed the bill draconian. He asked which
organizations would be included. Mr. Wright said the
organizations could still lease equipment, but they cannot
enter into a lease purchase agreement. Senator Dyson asked
if the problems occur when the leases end up as purchases.
Mr. Wright said that was correct. The biggest objection the
House Finance Committee had was the lack of limitations with
the use of the master lease line of credit.
Senator Dyson summarized that the intent of the bill is to
prevent departments from purchasing equipment through the
subterfuge of a lease purchase and bypassing the budgeting
process. Mr. Wright said that was correct.
Co-Chair Stedman noted that there was language in the
capital budget to deal with this issue. It was decided to
follow the House's lead on this matter.
9:52:56 AM
Senator Thomas asked for clarification of the departments'
responsibility regarding leases. Mr. Wright said that under
the CS there would be no lease purchase agreements. Mr.
Wright clarified that one could not enter into a lease of
personal property. It does not apply to real property.
Co-Chair Stedman asked who controls the dollar amount
available. Mr. Wright reiterated that there is no dollar
amount listed under the master lease line of credit. Co-
Chair Stedman inquired how the payments show up in the
budgets that are presented. Mr. Wright said that was one of
the questions that the House Finance Committee had. Some
agencies do report in the detail books and some don't. Co-
Chair Stedman thought that would create concern. Mr. Wright
agreed.
9:55:04 AM
Senator Dyson requested an example about how the building
improvements were abused. Mr. Wright did not know if that
had happened. He gave an example of a purchase for
carpeting for the State Office Building.
Senator Dyson noted that the agencies may be using the
process to subvert the capital projects process. He gave an
example. He agreed with the intent of the bill, but
emphasized that the legislature must be responsible in
providing needed equipment.
9:57:57 AM
Co-Chair Stedman said when looking back at this year's
capital budget, the Administration reduced departmental
requests by $1 billion before the Committee received it.
The Senate Finance Committee reduced the legislators'
requests by about $1.1 billion.
9:58:14 AM
JIM LYNCH, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE, UNIVERSITY
OF ALASKA, voiced concern about the lack of a floor when
reporting to the Office of Management and Budget. He spoke
in favor of the accountability aspect of the bill and
against removing the ability to lease purchase.
10:01:53 AM
REMOND HENDERSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF GENERAL
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, commented that if
the CS prohibits the leasing of equipment or other personal
property when necessary, the Department of Administration
objects to the bill. He spoke in favor of the bill version
which was amended in the House and contains reporting
requirements.
Co-Chair Stedman noted two zero fiscal notes.
HB 419 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 AM.
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