03/26/2013 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| HB26 | |
| SB65 | |
| SB4 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 26, 2013
1:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Dunleavy, Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice Chair
Senator Donald Olson
Senator Bert Stedman
Senator Johnny Ellis
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Craig Chapman
Donovan Rulien II
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Robert (Bobby) Evans
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and
Land Surveyors
Eric Eriksen
John Kerr
Jeffrey Koonce
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Michael Bolivar
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Dr. Edward Barrington
Dr. Daniel Holt
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Dental Examiners
Robyn Chaney
Dr. Mary Anne Navitsky
Dr. Steven Scheller
Gail Walden
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Mark Saldi
Donald Stiles
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Gary Bader
Daniel Repasky
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Linda King
Kennith McCarty
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
State Medical Board
Kevin Luppen
Kathleen (Casey) Millar
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Sarah Taygan
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Nursing
Hannah Espera
Thomas Hendrix
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Occupational Safety and Health Review Board
Thomas Trosvig
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Dr. Grant Humphreys
Immanuel Lewis
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Pharmacy
John Cotter
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
Dr. Darin Bell
Ruth Kostik
Valerie Phelps
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Professional Counselors
Anne Marie Brainerd
Debra Hamilton
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners
Dr. Kristi Fuller
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
James Picard
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Real Estate Commission
Eric Bushnell
Nancy Davis
Stacy Risner
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Norman Rokeberg
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Social Work Examiners
Zachary Paulson
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Veterinary Examiners
DeeDee Jonrowe
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Stacy Allen
Bradley Austin
Pamela Cline
Jace Digel
Sarah Lefebvre
Amy Steele
Mark Talbert
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
David Richards
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 26
"An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Public
Accountancy; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 26 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 65
"An Act relating to property exemptions for retirement plans,
individual retirement amending Rule 64, Alaska Rules of Civil
Procedure, and Rule 301(a), Alaska Rules of accounts, and Roth
IRAs; relating to transfers of individual retirement plans;
relating to Evidence." the rights of judgment creditors of
members of limited liability companies and partners of limited
liability partnerships; relating to the Uniform Probate Code,
including pleadings, orders, liability, and notices under the
Uniform Probate Code and the Alaska Principal and Income Act,
the appointment of trust property, the Alaska Uniform Prudent
Investor Act, co-trustees, trust protectors, and trust advisors;
relating to the Alaska Principal and Income Act; relating to the
Alaska Uniform Transfers to Minors Act; relating to the
disposition of human remains; relating to the tax on insurers
for life insurance policies; relating to insurable interests for
certain insurance policies; relating to restrictions on
transfers of trust interests; relating to discretionary
interests in irrevocable trusts; relating to the community
property of married persons; and
- MOVED CSSB 65(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 4
"An Act relating to applying military education, training, and
service credit to occupational licensing and certain
postsecondary education and employment training requirements;
providing for a temporary occupational license for qualified
military service members; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 26
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HAWKER, THOMPSON
01/16/13 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/13
01/16/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/13 (H) L&C, FIN
01/28/13 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
01/28/13 (H) Moved Out of Committee
01/28/13 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
01/30/13 (H) L&C RPT 7DP
01/30/13 (H) DP: CHENAULT, HERRON, REINBOLD,
SADDLER, MILLETT, JOSEPHSON, OLSON
02/12/13 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/12/13 (H) Moved Out of Committee
02/12/13 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
02/13/13 (H) FIN RPT 8DP 1NR 1AM
02/13/13 (H) DP: NEUMAN, COSTELLO, EDGMON, HOLMES,
MUNOZ, THOMPSON, T.WILSON, STOLTZE
02/13/13 (H) NR: KAWASAKI
02/13/13 (H) AM: GARA
02/15/13 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
02/15/13 (H) VERSION: HB 26
02/19/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/13 (S) L&C, FIN
02/28/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/28/13 (S) -- Meeting Postponed to 3/19/13 --
03/19/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/19/13 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/21/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/21/13 (S) Heard & Held
03/21/13 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/26/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 65
SHORT TITLE: RETIREMENT PLANS; ROTH IRAS; PROBATE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) COGHILL
02/27/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/27/13 (S) L&C, JUD
03/21/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/21/13 (S) Heard & Held
03/21/13 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/26/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 4
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY TRAINING CREDIT
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI
01/16/13 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/13
01/16/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/13 (S) STA, L&C, FIN
02/12/13 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/12/13 (S) Moved CSSB 4(STA) Out of Committee
02/12/13 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/13/13 (S) STA RPT CS 3DP 1NR SAME TITLE
02/13/13 (S) DP: DYSON, WIELECHOWSKI, GIESSEL
02/13/13 (S) NR: COGHILL
02/28/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/28/13 (S) -- Meeting Postponed to 3/19/13 --
03/19/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/19/13 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/26/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
ROBERT EVANS, Appointee
Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information regarding his
confirmation hearing.
NORMAN ROKEBERG, Appointee
Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information regarding his
confirmation hearing.
CECILE ELLIOTT, Staff
Representative Mike Hawker
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered to answer questions related to HB 26
on behalf of the sponsor.
DON HABEGER, Director
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to HB 26.
CHAD HUTCHISON, Staff
Senator John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained version N of SB 65 on behalf of
the sponsor.
DAVID SHAFTEL, Attorney
Shaftel Law Offices
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Described changes in version N of SB 65.
KENDRA KLOSTER, Staff
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 4 on
behalf of the sponsor.
MARC SAN SOUCI, Northwest Regional Liaison
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Tacoma, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided supporting information related to
SB 4.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:32:36 PM
CHAIR MIKE DUNLEAVY called the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Micciche, Ellis, and Chair Dunleavy.
^Confirmation Hearings
Confirmation Hearings
1:33:19 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that the first order of business would
be confirmation hearings. He noted that two of the appointees
wanted to testify.
1:34:13 PM
At ease
1:34:28 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY began to read the list of appointees:
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Craig Chapman - Soldotna, AK
Donovan Rulien II - Anchorage, AK
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Robert (Bobby) Evans - Nome
He noted Mr. Evans wanted to testify.
ROBERT EVANS, Appointee, Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board,
introduced himself.
SENATOR ELLIS asked Mr. Evans what his goals would be on the ABC
Board and his ideas on protecting the publics' interest.
1:36:28 PM
MR. EVANS stated that in 2009 he retired from the Department of
Corrections after 21 years of service. He described his work
history and experience with drug and alcohol abuse issues. He
related his experience that about 60 percent of the people who
went to jail and those that were remanded were either alcohol or
drug related. He discussed prevention strategies.
SENATOR MICCICHE thanked Mr. Evans for serving on the ABC Board.
1:41:30 PM
SENATOR ELLIS voiced appreciation for Mr. Evans' work and the
perspective he brings. He expressed interest in hearing more
about the specific role the ABC Board could play in substance
abuse issues. He also asked how to balance the interest of a
community impacted by out of control addictions with the private
property rights of an owner of a liquor license or bar.
MR. EVANS expressed the belief that liquor stores should abide
by the rules and be accountable. He said he has seen a lot of
crime and abuse of alcohol in Nome and businesses must be held
accountable.
SENATOR ELLIS stated support for the confirmation of Mr. Evans
in the hope and belief that he would support the following of
rules.
1:46:24 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY continued to read the nominees for the following
boards:
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers,
and Land Surveyors
Eric Eriksen - Juneau, AK
John Kerr - Anchorage, AK
Jeffrey Koonce - Anchorage, AK
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Michael Bolivar - Anchorage, AK
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Dr. Edward Barrington - Anchorage, AK
Dr. Daniel Holt - Juneau, AK
Board of Dental Examiners
Robyn Chaney - Dillingham, AK
Dr. Mary Anne Navitsky - Sitka, AK
Dr. Steven Scheller - Fairbanks, AK
Gail Walden - Wasilla, AK
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Mark Saldi - Skagway, AK
Donald Stiles - Nome, AK
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Gary Bader - Anchorage, AK
Daniel Repasky - Anchorage, AK
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Linda King - Anchorage, AK
Kennith McCarty - Eagle River, AK
State Medical Board
Kevin Luppen - Wasilla, AK
Kathleen (Casey) Millar - Anchorage, AK
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Sarah Taygan - Chugiak, AK
Board of Nursing
Hannah Espera - Anchorage, AK
Thomas Hendrix - Eagle River, AK
Occupational Safety and Health Review Board
Thomas Trosvig - Kodiak, AK
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Dr. Grant Humphreys - Anchorage, AK
Immanuel Lewis - Anchorage, AK
Board of Pharmacy
John Cotter - Fairbanks, AK
State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
Dr. Darin Bell - Seward, AK
Ruth Kostik - Juneau, AK
Valerie Phelps - Anchorage, AK
Board of Professional Counselors
Anne Marie Brainerd - Fairbanks, AK
Debra Hamilton - Soldotna, AK
Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate
Examiners
Dr. Kristi Fuller - Anchorage, AK
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
James Picard - Anchorage, AK
Real Estate Commission
Eric Bushnell - Wasilla, AK
Nancy Davis - Sitka, AK
Stacy Risner - Fairbanks, AK
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Norman Rokeberg - Anchorage, AK
He noted the arrival of Senator Olson.
1:48:44 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked Mr. Rokeberg if he wanted to testify.
SENATOR ELLIS thanked Mr. Rokeberg for his willingness to serve.
He requested his guiding philosophy and goals for the
commission.
NORMAN ROKEBERG, Appointee, Regulatory Commission of Alaska
(RCA), said his primary goal was to contribute through his
experience in both the private and public sectors and his
conduct and reputation as a lifelong Alaskan. He related that
the purpose of regulation is to align the private and public
utility sectors with the public interest, and that would be his
on-going guide.
1:51:13 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY continued to read the list of appointees.
Board of Social Work Examiners, AK
Zachary Paulson - Palmer, AK
Board of Veterinary Examiners
DeeDee Jonrowe - Willow, AK
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Stacy Allen - Palmer, AK
Bradley Austin - Auke Bay, AK
Pamela Cline - Anchorage, AK
Jace Digel - Anchorage, AK
Sarah Lefebvre - Fairbanks, AK
Amy Steele - Anchorage, AK
Mark Talbert - Wasilla, AK
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
David Richards - Eagle River, AK
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to forward the foregoing names of the
appointees to the full body for consideration. He issued the
reminder that this motion does not reflect intent by any of the
members to vote for or against the confirmation of the
individuals during any further session.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection, the names would
be forwarded to the full body for consideration.
1:52:19 PM
At ease
HB 26-EXTEND BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY
1:53:29 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of HB 26, "An Act
extending the termination date of the Board of Public
Accountancy and providing for an effective date." He noted this
was the second hearing of the bill.
CECILE ELLIOTT, Staff, Representative Mike Hawker, sponsor of HB
26, offered to answer questions related to HB 26.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if the fiscal note reflects the same
annual costs as it would if it were a three-year extension.
MS. ELLIOT explained that the costs of the board are covered by
licensing fees, which can fluctuate depending on the number of
investigations done. She deferred further explanation to Mr.
Habeger.
DON HABEGER, Director, Division of Corporations, Business, and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development (DCCED), Juneau, Alaska, introduced
himself.
SENATOR MICCICHE restated the question.
MR. HABEGER agreed that the estimated costs were the same each
year. He added that the department has the ability to set fees
to recoup costs as they fluctuate. Labor costs, for example, may
increase. The fiscal note was determined by taking an average,
based on the last two years of expenses.
1:56:04 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY closed public testimony.
1:56:39 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report HB 26, labeled 28-LS0154\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection HB 26 moved from
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee Standing
Committee.
1:56:57 PM
At ease
SB 65-RETIREMENT PLANS; ROTH IRAS; PROBATE
1:58:52 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SB 65, a bill sponsored by Senator Coghill
which deals with retirement plans, Roth IRAs and probate. He
said this was the second hearing and his intention was to move
the bill from committee. He requested a motion to adopt the
committee substitute (CS).
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to adopt the CS for SB 65, labeled 28-
LS0473\N, as the working document.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY objected for discussion purposes.
1:59:35 PM
CHAD HUTCHISON, Staff, Senator John Coghill, sponsor, explained
that the CS eliminates the previous Section 38.
DAVID SHAFTEL, Attorney, Shaftel Law Offices, Anchorage, Alaska,
described the changes in version N. He explained that upon
review of the companion House version of the bill, it was
determined that Section 38 was unnecessary. One other change, a
typographical error in the original bill, was corrected.
2:01:25 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if the entire insurable interest section
was removed.
MR. SHAFTEL replied that the original SB 65 added the phrase "or
immediately after the contract was made," to AS 21.42.020(a) but
upon review it was decided that it was unnecessary.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY withdrew his objection and version N was before
the committee.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if the bill was referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said yes. Finding no further questions or
comments, he solicited a motion.
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report CS for SB 65, labeled 28-
LS0473\N, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal notes.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection CSSB 65(L&C)
moved from Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
2:03:37 PM
At ease
SB 4-MILITARY TRAINING CREDIT
2:05:21 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting and noted the arrival of
Senator Stedman.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that the final order of business would
be SB 4. "An Act relating to applying military education,
training, and service credit to occupational licensing and
certain postsecondary education and employment training
requirements; providing for a temporary occupational license for
qualified military service members; and providing for an
effective date."
2:06:09 PM
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, sponsor of SB 4, explained that the
bill directs state boards to accept relevant military education
training and service as equivalent to some or all qualifications
for applying for licenses or certificates. It also directs the
University of Alaska and the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary
Education to implement policies and procedures to accept
relevant military education as credit toward a degree or
technical certificate. The bill is an effort to stem the high
unemployment rates for veterans. This is particularly important
for Alaska because it has the highest percentage of veterans in
the country. He related that a number of states have this
legislation and it's the number one priority for the U.S.
Department of Defense. He noted that he introduced an identical
bill last year.
2:08:22 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked what happened to the bill last year.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI explained that companion bills were
introduced in the House and Senate and the House bill became the
vehicle, but it died on the last night of the session.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if this bill was identical.
KENDRA KLOSTER, Staff, Senator Bill Wielechowski, said this bill
is substantially the same, but the previous committee removed
language that allowed a temporary license to be extended for 180
days.
2:09:45 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked why the 180-day provision was removed.
MS. KLOSTER said a member of that committee was concerned about
such an extension for the medical profession. It was a policy
call and the sponsor accepted the change.
MARC SAN SOUCI, Northwest Regional Liaison, U.S. Department of
Defense (DOD), Tacoma, Washington, provided information related
to SB 4. He highlighted that 28 states have passed similar
legislation granting veterans credit toward either occupational
licensing and/or academic credit. He emphasized that the request
is not for direct licensure if it is not equivalent. It's only
credit where credit is due. He pointed out that the public has
already paid for veterans' training by paying taxes.
MR. SAN SOUCI reported that the Department of Defense recently
released a new Joint Service Transcript (JST) that is generic to
all branches of the military. The goal is to make it easier to
evaluate course descriptions and training among the different
branches.
2:14:21 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked how the military grades its students.
MR. SAN SOUCI said it varies based on the length and type of
program, and sometimes there is variation between the branches
of the service. The new JST is intended to make it easier to
evaluate the courses for credit.
SENATOR OLSON asked what categories of training besides medicine
are available and have benefitted by these training credits.
MR. SAN SOUCI said many job categories have benefitted, among
these are cosmetology and engineering.
SENATOR OLSON asked about firefighters and pilots.
MR. SAN SOUCI responded that licenses that are federally
regulated, such as for pilots and aircraft maintenance
technicians, probably wouldn't be included, but licenses for
firefighters, engineering technicians, landscapers, and
surveyors would be.
2:17:57 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if the $137,600 fiscal note was a "one
timer" for travel costs for the various occupational boards to
get together, plus $30,000 for staff costs for regulation
changes.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said yes. He explained that the Senate Bill
last year had a delayed effective date and that eliminated the
fiscal note. The House bill had an immediate effective date and
it had a fiscal impact. Senator Huggins preferred an immediate
effective date, and that's what SB 4 has; thus, the fiscal note.
2:19:02 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY stated he would hold SB 4 in committee and take
public testimony at the next hearing.
2:19:57 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Dunleavy adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee
at 2:19 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation Documents Governor's Appointees.doc |
SL&C 3/26/2013 1:30:00 PM |
Boards & Commission Confirmations - Governor's Appointments |