Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/13/2024 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB243 | |
| SB116 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 243 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 13, 2024
9:06 a.m.
9:06:12 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Olson called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 9:06 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator David Wilson
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Cathy Giessel, Sponsor; Angela Rodell, Staff,
Senator Giessel; Curtis Thayer, Executive Director, Alaska
Energy Authority; Jane Conway, Staff, Senator Giessel;
Sylvan Robb, Director, Division of Corporations and
Business Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development; Renee Gayhart, Director, Division of
Healthcare Services, Department of Health; Tracy Dompeling,
Director, Division of Behavioral Health, Department of
Health.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Rachel Buddin Young, Board Member, Alaska Board of
Professional Counselors, Eagle River; Elaine Border, Border
Counseling Services, Anchorage; Josh Arvidson, Chief
Operating Officer, Alaska Behavioral Health; Brittany Pope,
Self, Ketchikan; Mary Fitzgerald, Owner, Deeper Light
Psychotherapy, Juneau.
SUMMARY
SB 116 ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS
SB 116 was heard and HELD in Committee for
further consideration.
SB 243 ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE
SB 243 was heard and HELD in Committee for
further consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 243
"An Act relating to the board of directors of the
Alaska Energy Authority."
9:06:58 AM
Co-Chair Olson relayed that it was the first hearing of SB
243.
9:07:13 AM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, SPONSOR, relayed that the bill would
create a separate board for the Alaska Energy Authority
(AEA). She stated that AEA had a greater number of complex
issues than previously administered, and managed a great
deal of money. The bill would place two commissioners on
the board, the commissioner of Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development (CED) and the
commissioner of the Department of Revenue (DOR).
Senator Giessel continued that each of the six public
members would have three-year terms. The bill was amended
in the Senate Resources Committee, which she thought had
stipulated that board members would have tiered terms with
members rotating out.
Co-Chair Olson asked why the boards were combined
initially.
Senator Giessel thought the AEA director could best answer
the question.
Senator Merrick asked if there was a difference between the
bill and the associated executive order offered by the
governor.
Senator Giessel answered affirmatively.
9:10:56 AM
ANGELA RODELL, STAFF, SENATOR GIESSEL, spoke to a
Sectional Analysis for the CSSB 243 (RES) (copy on file):
The Committee Substitute adopts the following changes:
1. Section 4, page 3, lines 2-5:
a. Adds language to state the AIDEA board would
no longer be the board of AEA as of the effective
date and to provide specific terms to specified
qualified board members.
b. Removes the transition that required the
Governor to appoint two public members of the
initial
Alaska Energy Authority board of directors to
one-year terms, two public members to two-year
terms, and two public members to three-year terms
and added language requiring:
(b) the member appointed to fulfill the role of
expertise or experience in managing or operating
an electric utility not connected to an
interconnected transmission system and one of the
two members appointed to fulfill the role of
expertise or experience in finance, energy
policy, engineering, law, or economics are
appointed to an initial 7-month term, expiring
March 1, 2025
(c) the member appointed to fulfill the role of
expertise or experience in developing energy
projects in rural communities and the second of
the two members appointed to fulfill the role of
expertise or experience in finance, energy
policy, engineering, law, or economics are
appointed to an initial 19-month term, expiring
March 1, 2026.
(d) the member appointed to fulfill the role of
expertise or experience in managing or operating
an electric utility connected to an
interconnected transmission system and the member
appointed to fulfill the role of financial
expertise in large-scale energy project
development are appointed to an initial 31-month
term, expiring March 1, 2027.
2. Section 5, page 3, line 21 to include an effective
date of July 1, 2024.
9:14:45 AM
Co-Chair Stedman referenced page 2, line 4, which
referenced the interconnected electric energy transmission
network, and asked for that definition.
Ms. Rodell explained that the language referenced the
intertie that ran from the Kenai Peninsula through
Anchorage and through Fairbanks.
Co-Chair Stedman assumed that the intertie would exclude
the interconnection between Ketchikan, Wrangell, and
Petersburg.
Ms. Rodell relayed that the language had been taken from
the executive order.
Senator Giessel pointed out that the definition on page 1,
line 10, could include communities in Southeast Alaska.
Co-Chair Olson asked if all the board members would be
voting members and asked about the eventuality of a tie.
Ms. Rodell explained that an affirmative vote of five
members was a requirement for any action.
Senator Bishop referenced voting rights and asked if the
designee for a commissioner's office would have voting
authority.
Ms. Rodell affirmed that a commissioner designee would have
voting authority.
9:18:40 AM
CURTIS THAYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY,
discussed a presentation entitled "SENATE BILL 243: AEA
GOVERNANCE" (copy on file). He showed slide 2, "About AEA,"
and highlighted that AEA had six board members. He
discussed rural energy elements such as, and mentioned
travel to rural parts of the state where AEA conducted
trainings. He mentioned grants and loans offered by AEA and
discussed the Renewable Energy Fund.
Mr. Thayer referenced slide 2, "AEA Active Projects and
Services," which showed a map of the state depicting active
projects and services.
Mr. Thayer reviewed slide 3, "The "Why"":
"As governor, I find that it is in the best interests
of efficient administration to separate the membership
of the board of directors of the Alaska Energy
Authority from the membership of the board of
directors of the Alaska Industrial Development and
Export Authority." Executive Order 128
• Historical: From 1976 until 1993, AEA was
governed by its own board of directors.
• Distinct Purpose: The underlying purposes of
AIDEA and AEA are fundamentally different.
• Unique Mission: Reduce the cost of energy in
Alaska, diversify Alaska's energy portfolio,
and increase resiliency, reliability, and
redundancy and our mission is growing (owned
assets, energy data department).
• Exponential Growth: AEA's capital budget has
increased over 1,000% in the last four years.
• Distinct Expertise: A distinctive set of skills
and expertise is required for optimal
governance. It is common and appropriate for a
single-purpose entity to have a governing board
made up of experts in the topic area.
9:25:42 AM
Mr. Thayer discussed slide 5, "AEA's Exponential Growth":
.notdef AEA has received and anticipates a substantial
increase in federal funding from the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and others, over the
next several years.
.notdef Pipeline of federal funding:
- $84 million awarded (Energy Efficiency Conservation
Block Grant, Department of Defense Grant, State
Energy Planning Grant, National Electric Vehicle
Infrastructure grant, and Grid Resilience 40101(d)
Grant)
- $573.5 million conditionally awarded (Grid
Resilience and Innovation Partnerships, Energy
Efficiency
Reconciliation Loan Capitalization Program, and Home
Efficiency and Appliance Rebates)
- $104 million competitive applications pending
decision (Solar for All, Wood Innovations Grant, and
Energy Future Grant, and High-Energy Cost Grant)
.notdef Availability of tax incentives for clean energy
projects and direct pay reimbursement available for
tax
exempt entities for the first time.
.notdef In addition to AEA's netbook value of $1.3 billion,
several large projects are underway:
- $413 million to build an undersea High Voltage
Direct Current from the Kenai Peninsula to Anchorage
- $342 million for the Dixon Diversion Project to
increase the annual energy production of Bradley Lake
by 50 percent (Estimated to offset 1.5 billion cubic
feet of natural gas per year in Railbelt power
generation)
- $90 million for Railbelt transmission upgrades
(Sterling Substation and Quartz Creek transmission
line)
Mr. Thayer turned to slide 6, "AEA's Statutory Programs."
9:30:06 AM
Co-Chair Stedman asked for a brief synopsis of the AEA
board 30 years previously.
Mr. Thayer detailed that the history of the AEA.
Co-Chair Olson asked for an idea of why the boards were
initially combined. He
Mr. Thayer understood that a former Speaker of the House
had issues with the board at the time and the AEA Executive
Director, and had made substantial changes. He noted that
AEA employees were actually AIDEA employees. The two
corporations shared some services.
9:32:43 AM
Co-Chair Olson asked Mr. Thayer to comment on Co-Chair
Stedman's mention of the intertie between Ketchikan and
Petersburg.
Mr. Thayer noted that the two interties were distinct.
Co-Chair Stedman did not have a concern about Railbelt
representation.
Co-Chair Olson asked how the municipalities were chosen.
Mr. Thayer referenced information from the Department of
Energy, and noted that AEA had helped with some of the
applications. He referenced Angoon and a project that had
been on the books for some time. He noted that AEA was
still working with the community on the project. He
mentioned Kotzebue had also received some of the funding.
He agreed to provide a complete list of the communities.
9:36:04 AM
Co-Chair Olson asked Mr. Thayer to address FN 1 from CED.
Mr. Thayer relayed that the fiscal note was derived from
the board cost for travel.
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
SB 243 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 116
"An Act relating to the Board of Professional
Counselors; relating to licensing of associate
counselors; and providing for an effective date."
9:37:24 AM
Co-Chair Olson relayed that it was the first hearing for SB
116.
9:37:42 AM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, SPONSOR, explained that the purpose
of the bill was to allow graduates to begin in the
profession and, and emphasized that the state needed more
LPCs and needed to retain them, and that the bill would
lead in that direction.
9:41:29 AM
JANE CONWAY, STAFF, SENATOR GIESSEL, discussed a Sectional
Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1. (Page 1) Amends AS 08.02.110 Professional
designation requirements (a) to include Associate
Counselors in the same chapter as other professions
and requires them to use appropriate professional
title designation that represents their field of
practice
Section 2. (Page 2) Amends AS 08.29.020 Duties of the
Board (a) to include Associate Counselors to be
licensed by the Board of Professional Counselors.
Section 3. (Page 2) Amends AS 08.29.100 Unlicensed use
of title prohibited (a)to prohibit those without
licenses to declare themselves an Associate
Counselors, use language that may be confused with the
title of "Associate Counselor."
Section 4. (Page 3) Amends AS 08.29.110 Qualifications
for Licensure (a) to establish that the board shall
issue a professional counselor license if the
applicant has successfully completed an associate
counselor program authorized by the board and meets
all other requirements of the board, including the
supervision of a supervisor approved under regulations
of the board. Furthermore, at least 100 hours of face-
to-face supervision are required.
Section 5. (Page 4) Amends AS 08.29.120 Licensure by
credentials (a) to establish that the board may issue
a license for professional or associate counselor to
practice if they are licensed in another jurisdiction
and if the board finds the other jurisdiction has an
equal or higher licensure requirement as those in this
state.
Section 6. (Page 4) Amends AS 08.29.220 Disclosure
Statement Requires an Associate Counselor to furnish a
disclosure statement including the name, title,
business address and business telephone number to
clients before providing services. The disclosure
statement must include the Associate Counselor's
educational description, areas of specialization,
services available, and fee schedule listed by type of
service or hourly rate. It also must include that the
information provided is required by the Board of
Professional Counselors which regulates their
activities.
Section 7. (Page 5) Amends 08.29.400 Grounds for
denial of license or for disciplinary sanctions (a) to
include that Associate Counselors may be subject to
disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Board of
Professional Counselors if they are incompetent, or
have committed misconduct, fraud, misrepresentation,
or dishonesty in the functions of a licensed Associate
Counselor.
A licensed Associate Counselor is also subject to
disciplinary sanctions if they assist another person
who is not licensed under this chapter in an attempt
to represent the person to the public as a licensed
Associate Counselor.
Section 8. (Page 6) Repeals 08.29.210 Supervisor
certification
Section 9. (Page 6) Creates transitional language to
allow the board to promulgate and adopt regulations.
Section 10. (Page 6) Allows Section 9 to be conducted
immediately.
Section 11. (Page 6) Provides for overall effective
date of the bill to be July 1, 2025.
9:45:59 AM
Senator Kiehl asked why there was a deletion of the
statutory requirements for a supervisor.
Ms. Conway understood that the provisions would determine
supervision criteria to be under regulation rather than
statute.
Senator Kiehl asked if there was any need to include
associate counselors in the definition of health care
providers in other statutes.
Ms. Conway affirmed that the issue had come up during
consideration of the companion bill in the House.
Senator Bishop understood that currently the group could
not bill for services because of lacking a designation, and
that the bill would rectify the matter.
Senator Giessel relayed that the committee would hear from
testifiers that could utilize the designee.
9:49:53 AM
Co-Chair Olson asked if there were programs in the state to
fulfill the requirements.
Senator Giessel replied in the affirmative.
Co-Chair Olson asked about reciprocity and other states,
and whether the requirements could move between states.
Senator Giesel replied in the affirmative.
9:51:10 AM
RACHEL BUDDIN YOUNG, BOARD MEMBER, ALASKA BOARD OF
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
spoke in favor of the bill, and discussed the presentation,
"Associate Counselor License, House Bill 126 and Senate
Bill 116" (copy on file). She looked at slide 2, "National
Trends":
More states are regulating the process for becoming
fully licensed through a transparent "pre-licensing"
status.
Titles may include associate, trainee, provisional,
intern, and conditional.
Ms. Buddin Young pointed to slide 3, "Pre-Licensure is a
Beneficial Trend":
Practicing professional counseling under a license is
good for Alaska because:
• Ensures professional trained and supervised
counselors are assisting the needs of Alaska
residents.
• Creates standard of practice for the state.
• Maintains national standards.
• Provides guidance and accountability for new
counselors
Ms. Buddin Young showed slide 5, "Associate Counselor
Requirements":
All documents must be submitted for approval to become
an Associate Counselor:
• Two letters of recommendation from professional
counselors
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Is not under investigation in any jurisdiction
• No previous license suspended, revoked, surrendered
in lieu of discipline
• Completed all education requirements Doctoral degree
in counseling or related professional field Master's
degree in counseling or related professional field
Ms. Buddin Young addressed slide 5, "Streamline Process":
Once the following has been completed, the Associate
Counselor may apply for a full Professional Counselor
License:
• Pass the NCE or NCMHCE and submit scores
• 3,000 hours of supervised experience
• 1,000 hours of these must be direct counseling
• 100 hours face-to-face supervision by approved
supervisor
• Submit letter of reference from approved supervisor
and documentation of hours
Ms. Buddin Young looked at slide 7, "Befits for Alaska":
• Professional Streamlined Process
• Clear Guidelines
• Regular Reporting Measures
• Support with Supervisor Changes (important for
Military)
• State Recognized Level of Care
• Enhanced Professionalism
• Maintaining National Standards
• Better Care for All Alaskans
9:57:03 AM
Senator Bishop asked if the University of Alaska system had
the programs for a person to be a professional in the
industry.
Ms. Buddin Young replied in the affirmative.
Senator Bishop pondered that the University could have a
better relationship with the world of work to ensure that
graduates could be closer to the industry.
Ms. Buddin Young explained that it was standard practice
that the hours of experience did not accumulate until after
graduation under a supervisor beyond the university, which
was a national standard.
9:59:00 AM
Senator Kiehl considered a letter from a board member (copy
on file), which suggested more rules for the supervision
process. He noted, however, that bill deleted the only
standard for the supervisor. He queried the board's vision
for that removal of the five-year requirement for the
supervisor.
Ms. Buddin Young replied that it was advised to make the
change within regulations rather than statutes.
Senator Kiehl would follow up with the sponsor on the
issue.
Co-Chair Olson asked how many counselors were licensed in
the state.
Ms. Buddin Young estimated that there were 1,200 to 1,300
counsellors licensed in the state.
Co-Chair Olson asked whether the new associate title would
be under the board.
Ms. Buddin Young replied in the affirmative.
Co-Chair Olson surmised that the associate would be subject
to disciplinary action under the board.
Ms. Buddin Young agreed.
Co-Chair Olson asked if the two-year period allowed for
enough time to achieve the required 3000 hours.
Ms. Buddin Young relayed that it could take between two to
five years to complete the hours.
10:02:27 AM
ELAINE BORDER, BORDER COUNSELING SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of the bill.
10:08:04 AM
JOSH ARVIDSON, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, ALASKA BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH (via teleconference), introduced himself and noted
that the various benefits of the legislation.
10:13:14 AM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
10:13:23 AM
BRITTANY POPE, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in favor of the bill.
10:22:02 AM
MARY FITZGERALD, OWNER, DEEPER LIGHT PSYCHOTHERAPY, JUNEAU
(via teleconference), testified in support of the bill.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
10:27:02 AM
SYLVAN ROBB, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS AND
BUSINESS LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, spoke to a new fiscal note from CED.
10:28:41 AM
RENEE GAYHART, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, spoke to fiscal notes from the
Department of Health.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether there was no charge for the
associate license that added to the fiscal note.
Ms. Gayhart answered affirmatively.
10:30:38 AM
TRACY DOMPELING, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, addressed a fiscal note from DOH.
Senator Kiehl wondered about removing the board's ability
to allow telephonic supervision.
Ms. Dompeling agreed to provide more information.
SB 116 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
10:32:39 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 243 (RES) Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 243 |
| SB 243 (RES) Explanation of Changes.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 243 |
| SB 243 (RES) Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 243 |
| SB 243 2024.03.12 AEA Senate Bill 243 AEA Governance Presentation (Final).pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 243 |
| SB 116 Sectional Analysis 04.17.23.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM |
SB 116 |
| SB 116 Sponsor Statement 04.17.23.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM |
SB 116 |
| SB 116 DOH MS 010924.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 116 |
| SB 116 DOH MAA 010924.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 116 |
| SB 116 DOH BHA 020524.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 116 |
| SB 116 Presentation 03-13-24.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 116 |
| SB 116 Letters of Support (batch of 10) 3-12-24.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 116 |
| SB 116 DCCED CBPL 011124.pdf |
SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM |
SB 116 |