Legislature(2015 - 2016)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

03/24/2016 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

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01:34:36 PM Start
01:35:17 PM Confirmation Hearings
02:07:54 PM SB203
02:21:13 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ SB 203 MEDI-VAC FLIGHT CREW OVERTIME PAY TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ Consideration of Governor's Appointees: TELECONFERENCED
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Board of Nursing
Board of Psychologists & Psychological Examiners
Board of Registration Architects, Engineers
& Land Surveyors
Board of Social Work Examiners
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
-- Public Testimony --
                   JALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
          SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                        
                         March 24, 2016                                                                                         
                           1:34 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Mia Costello, Chair                                                                                                     
Senator Cathy Giessel, Vice Chair                                                                                               
Senator Kevin Meyer                                                                                                             
Senator Johnny Ellis                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Gary Stevens                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Alaska Labor Relations Agency                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
          MATTHEW MCSORLEY - Anchorage                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Alaska Worker's Compensation Board                                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
          DAVID CLINTON ELLIS - Anchorage                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Board of Barbers and Hairdressers                                                                                      
                                                                                                                              
          KEVIN MILTON MCKINLEY                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Board of Chiropractic Examiners                                                                                        
                                                                                                                              
          JOHN WAYNE ADERHOLD                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Board of Nursing                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                              
          TINA GAY GILLIS                                                                                                       
          WENDY ELLEN THON                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Board of Psychologists & Psychological Examiners                                                                       
                                                                                                                              
          CHRISTIAN MUNTEAN                                                                                                     
          SARAH ELIZABETH ANGSTMAN                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Board of Registration Architects, Engineers, & Land                                                                    
     Surveyors                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
          KATHLEEN SCHEDLER                                                                                                     
          DAVE HALE                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Board of Social Work Examiners                                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
          ANGELA L. CHRISTIANSEN                                                                                                
          RACHEL OLSON                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board                                                                        
                                                                                                                              
          JAMES PARIETTI                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                              
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                              
     Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission                                                                               
                                                                                                                              
          MIKE NOTAR - labor seat - Juneau, Alaska                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 203                                                                                                             
"An Act  relating to  overtime pay  eligibility for  medical care                                                               
providers employed  by common  air carriers  or by  carriers that                                                               
transport mail by air for  the federal government and to overtime                                                               
pay  eligibility  for flight  crews  and  medical care  providers                                                               
employed by air ambulance service providers."                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 203                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: MEDI-VAC FLIGHT CREW OVERTIME PAY                                                                                  
SPONSOR(s): JUDICIARY                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
03/11/16       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/11/16       (S)       L&C                                                                                                    
03/24/16       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
WENDY ELLEN THON, RN and NP, Appointee                                                                                          
Board of Nursing                                                                                                                
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified as appointee to the Board of                                                                   
Nursing.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
TINA GAY GILLIS, RN, Appointee - registered nurse seat                                                                          
Board of Nursing                                                                                                                
Bethel, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified as appointee to the Board of                                                                   
Nursing.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
JAMES PARIETTI, Appointee                                                                                                       
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board                                                                                 
Chugiak, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified as appointee to the Physical                                                                   
Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MATTHEW MCSORLEY, Appointee - labor seat                                                                                        
Alaska Labor Relations Agency                                                                                                   
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified as appointee to the Alaska Labor                                                               
Relations Agency.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
DAVID CLINTON ELLIS, Appointee - industry seat                                                                                  
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board                                                                                              
Eagle River, Alaska,                                                                                                            
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified as appointee to the Alaska                                                                     
Workers' Compensation Board.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KEVIN MILTON MCKINLEY, Appointee - tattooist, body piercer,                                                                     
permanent cosmetic color seat                                                                                                   
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers                                                                                               
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as appointee  to  the Board  of                                                             
Barbers and Hairdressers.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
ROBERT TRACEY, Appointee - certified residential appraiser seat                                                                 
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers                                                                                       
Wasilla, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as appointee  to  the Board  of                                                             
Certified Real Estate Appraisers.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
JOHN WAYNE ADERHOLD, Appointee, public seat                                                                                     
Board of Chiropractic Examiners                                                                                                 
Homer, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as appointee  to  the Board  of                                                             
Chiropractic Examiners.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SARAH ELIZABETH ANGSTMAN, Appointee - psychologist seat                                                                         
Board of Psychologists & Psychological Examiners                                                                                
Bethel, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as appointee  to  the Board  of                                                             
Psychologists & Psychological Examiners.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
KATHLEEN SCHEDLER, Appointee - engineer at large seat                                                                           
Board  of   Registration  for   Architects,  Engineers,   &  Land                                                               
Surveyors Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                     
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as appointee  to  the Board  of                                                             
Registration for Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
ANGELA  L. CHRISTIANSEN,  Appointee  -  licensed clinical  social                                                               
worker seat                                                                                                                     
Board of Social Work Examiners                                                                                                  
Kodiak, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as appointee  to  the Board  of                                                             
Social Work Examiners                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
RACHEL OLSON, Appointee - public seat                                                                                           
Board of Social Work Examiners                                                                                                  
Wasilla, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as appointee  to  the Board  of                                                             
Social Work Examiners.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MICHAEL NOTAR, Appointee - labor seat                                                                                           
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska,                                                                                                                 
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as  appointee  to the  Workers'                                                             
Compensation Appeals Commission.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
DAVID HALE, Appointee                                                                                                           
Board  of   Registration  for  Architects,  Engineers   and  Land                                                               
Surveyors                                                                                                                       
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  as appointee  to  the Board  of                                                             
Registration for Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
ANTHONY BARNARD, Appointee                                                                                                      
Occupational Safety and Health Review Board                                                                                     
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified as appointee  to the Occupational                                                             
Safety and Health Review Board.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
FORREST WOLFE, Staff                                                                                                            
Senator Lesil McGuire                                                                                                           
Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska                                                                                         
POSITION STATEMENT:  Introduced SB 203 on behalf of the sponsor.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
GREY MITCHELL, Director                                                                                                         
Division of Labor Standards and Safety                                                                                          
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD)                                                                           
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions related to SB 203.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHRIS WEBB, Vice President                                                                                                      
Air Medical Resource Group (AMRG) operating                                                                                     
Alaska Regional Life Flight and Guardian Flight in Alaska                                                                       
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided information related to SB 203.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
1:34:36 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR MIA COSTELLO called the  Senate Labor and Commerce Standing                                                             
Committee meeting to  order at 1:34 p.m.  Present  at the call to                                                               
order were Senators Ellis, Giessel, Meyer, and Chair Costello.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
^Confirmation Hearings                                                                                                          
                     Confirmation Hearings                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:35:17 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO  announced the  first order  of business  would be                                                               
confirmation  hearings of  governor  appointments  to boards  and                                                               
commissions.  She advised  that all  the nominations  referred to                                                               
the  Senate  Labor  and  Commerce  Standing  Committee  would  be                                                               
forwarded  in one  batch at  a later  date. She  thanked all  the                                                               
nominees for their willingness to serve.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                        Board of Nursing                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:36:06 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  COSTELLO asked  Wendy Gillis  to express  her interest  in                                                               
serving on the Board of Nursing.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:36:25 PM                                                                                                                    
WENDY ELLEN  THON, RN and  NP, Appointee, Board of  Nursing, said                                                               
she received her  Registered Nursing (RN) degree in  1976 and her                                                               
Nurse Practitioner  (NP) degree  in 1981.  She has  been involved                                                               
with  the  Nurse  Practitioner Association  since  she  moved  to                                                               
Alaska in 1984 and with  other nursing organizations before then.                                                               
She also served  on the Academy of Nurse  Practitioners for about                                                               
21 years  working primarily on  developing an exam  for beginning                                                               
nurse practitioners. She  is honored to be nominated  to serve on                                                               
the Board of Nursing.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  COSTELLO  thanked  Ms.  Thon. She  asked  Tina  Gillis  to                                                               
express her interest in serving on the Board of Nursing.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:38:05 PM                                                                                                                    
TINA GAY GILLIS, RN, Appointee  - registered nurse seat, Board of                                                               
Nursing,  related that  she has  been a  nurse for  21 years  and                                                               
served as a  paramedic before that. She has  been deeply involved                                                               
in nursing in Alaska for eight  years. She works in the emergency                                                               
room  (ER)  at the  Yukon-Kuskokwim  Delta  Regional Hospital  in                                                               
Bethel.  Her  expertise is  in  rural  areas and  she  thoroughly                                                               
enjoys  what she  is doing.  She is  a certified  ER nurse  and a                                                               
sexual assault response team (SART)  nurse. This program has been                                                               
beneficial in  the area. She  is eager to  serve on the  Board of                                                               
Nursing and being  part of ensuring that the  community of Alaska                                                               
is receiving safe care for all.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked  Ms. Gillis for her  willingness to serve.                                                               
Finding no comments on the  nominees, she closed public testimony                                                               
on the Board of Nursing.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
        Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:40:30 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO asked  James Parietti to tell  the committee about                                                               
his interest  in [continuing  to] serve  on the  Physical Therapy                                                               
and Occupational Therapy Board.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
JAMES  PARIETTI,  Appointee,  Physical Therapy  and  Occupational                                                               
Therapy Board, said he has  been physical therapist for 25 years,                                                               
lived in  Alaska for 10 years,  and served on this  board for the                                                               
past four years.  He works with the Indian Health  Service at the                                                               
Valley Native  Primary Care Center  in Wasilla. He would  like to                                                               
be  reappointed  to  serve  the   state  and  his  profession  by                                                               
providing public  protection and  to keep  abreast of  the latest                                                               
national board information and trends.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked  Mr. Parietti his willingness  to serve on                                                               
the Physical  Therapy and Occupational Therapy  Board. Finding no                                                               
questions  or  testimony on  the  nomination,  she closed  public                                                               
testimony.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                 Alaska Labor Relations Agency                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:42:07 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  COSTELLO  asked Matthew  McSorley  to  tell the  committee                                                               
about  his interest  in serving  in the  labor seat  on the  six-                                                               
member Alaska Labor Relations Agency.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MATTHEW MCSORLEY, Appointee - labor  seat, Alaska Labor Relations                                                               
Agency, said he has served on  the board for five terms and looks                                                               
forward to a  sixth. He moved to Alaska in  1993 and got involved                                                               
in  labor after  he  became a  professional  firefighter for  the                                                               
Fairbanks  Firefighters Union.  That gave  him a  taste of  labor                                                               
unions   and  the   importance  of   their  interaction   with  a                                                               
productive,   strong  workforce.   He  also   helped  start   the                                                               
Professional Firefighters  Association. He enjoys serving  on the                                                               
board as a way to stay involved with the labor movement.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  COSTELLO  thanked Mr.  McSorley  for  his service  on  the                                                               
Alaska Labor Relations Agency. Finding  no questions or testimony                                                               
on the nomination, she closed public testimony.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
               Alaska Workers' Compensation Board                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:44:28 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO asked David Ellis  to tell the committee about his                                                               
interest   in   serving   on  the   18-member   Alaska   Worker's                                                               
Compensation Board.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
DAVID CLINTON  ELLIS, Appointee - industry  seat, Alaska Workers'                                                               
Compensation Board, said  he has been in Alaska for  56 years and                                                               
in  the  electrical  trade  for   43  years.  He  is  a  licensed                                                               
electrician and  electrical administrator.  He has  been involved                                                               
in  the IBW  Apprenticeship Board  and sometimes  works with  the                                                               
Medical   Indemnity  Corporations   of  Alaska   (MICA).  He   is                                                               
interested in the appointment to serve in a statewide capacity.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO  thanked Mr. Ellis  for being willing to  serve on                                                               
the Alaska  Workers' Compensation Board. Finding  no questions or                                                               
testimony on the nomination, she closed public testimony.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
               Board of Barbers and Hairdressers                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:45:56 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO asked  Kevin McKinley to tell  the committee about                                                               
his   interest  in   serving  on   the  Board   of  Barbers   and                                                               
Hairdressers.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
KEVIN  MILTON  MCKINLEY,  Appointee -  tattooist,  body  piercer,                                                               
permanent   cosmetic   color   seat,   Board   of   Barbers   and                                                               
Hairdressers, said  he has  lived in Alaska  since the  mid 1970s                                                               
and  owned a  tattoo  and body  piercing shop  for  25 years.  He                                                               
helped draft  the regulations when  the state  started regulating                                                               
tattooing  and body  piercing and  has enjoyed  assisting in  the                                                               
growth  of this  industry.  Responding to  a  question about  his                                                               
resume, he confirmed  that he is a Shriner and  next year will be                                                               
the potentate of all Shriners in the state.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Mr. McKinley  for his service on the Board                                                               
of Barbers  and Hairdressers. Finding  no questions  or testimony                                                               
on the nomination, she closed public testimony.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
           Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO  asked Robert Tracey  to tell the  committee about                                                               
his interest  in serving  on the Board  of Certified  Real Estate                                                               
Appraisers.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:48:33 PM                                                                                                                    
ROBERT TRACEY, Appointee -  certified residential appraiser seat,                                                               
Board of  Certified Real Estate  Appraisers, said he is  a second                                                               
generation appraiser and has worked  as a residential real estate                                                               
appraiser for  23 years. He  has experience working  for lenders,                                                               
banks and private  individuals. He has given  expert testimony in                                                               
court and worked  on behalf of the City of  Palmer. He would like                                                               
to  be  involved  in  the decisions  the  board  makes  regarding                                                               
residential appraisers and believes he would be a good addition.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked  Mr. Tracey for being willing  to serve on                                                               
the  Board  of  Certified  Real  Estate  Appraisers.  Finding  no                                                               
questions  or  testimony on  the  nomination,  she closed  public                                                               
testimony.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                Board of Chiropractic Examiners                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:50:37 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO asked  Wayne Aderhold to tell  the committee about                                                               
his interest in serving on  the five-member Board of Chiropractic                                                               
Examiners.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
JOHN   WAYNE  ADERHOLD,   Appointee,   public   seat,  Board   of                                                               
Chiropractic Examiners, said his  experience with chiropractic is                                                               
as  a patient.  His chiropractic  doctor believes  he would  be a                                                               
good fit  on the board and  suggested he make an  application. He                                                               
is trained as  a civil engineer, has worked in  construction as a                                                               
project manager, was an EMT for  a number of years, and served on                                                               
the local hospital board.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Mr. Aderhold  for his willingness to serve                                                               
on the Board  of Chiropractic Examiners. Finding  no questions or                                                               
testimony on the nomination, she closed public testimony.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
   Board of Psychologists & Psychological Associate Examiners                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:52:56 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO asked  Sarah Angstman to tell  the committee about                                                               
her   interest   in  serving   on   the   five-member  Board   of                                                               
Psychologists & Psychological Associate Examiners.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SARAH ELIZABETH  ANGSTMAN, Appointee  - psychologist  seat, Board                                                               
of  Psychologists  &  Psychological  Examiners,  said  she  is  a                                                               
clinical  psychologist who  has been  practicing in  Bethel since                                                               
2010.  Initially  she worked  in  the  tribal health  system  and                                                               
entered  private practice  last year.  She is  a lifelong  Bethel                                                               
resident. In addition  to the clinical practice, she  has had the                                                               
opportunity to  supervise psychologists  and other  mental health                                                               
professionals who  are completing  their training in  Bethel. She                                                               
is interested  in protection of  the public and bringing  a rural                                                               
perspective  on training  and licensure  of psychologists  to the                                                               
board.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO  thanked Ms. Angstman  for being willing  to serve                                                               
on the Board of  Psychologists & Psychological Examiners. Finding                                                               
no questions  or testimony on  the nomination, she  closed public                                                               
testimony.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
    Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, & Land                                                                 
                           Surveyors                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:54:06 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  COSTELLO asked  Kathleen  Schedler to  tell the  committee                                                               
about her  interest in serving  on the Board of  Registration for                                                               
Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
KATHLEEN SCHEDLER, Appointee  - engineer at large  seat, Board of                                                               
Registration Architects,  Engineers, &  Land Surveyors,  said she                                                               
resides  in Fairbanks  and  has been  working  in the  mechanical                                                               
engineering field  for more than  35 years. She was  appointed to                                                               
the  board four  years ago  and  serves as  secretary. She  would                                                               
appreciate reappointment.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked  Ms. Schedler for serving on  the Board of                                                               
Registration  for   Architects,  Engineers,  &   Land  Surveyors.                                                               
Finding no questions  or testimony on the  nomination, she closed                                                               
public testimony.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                 Board of Social Work Examiners                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:55:28 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO  asked Angela Christiansen  to tell  the committee                                                               
about her interest in serving  on the five-member Board of Social                                                               
Work Examiners.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
ANGELA  L. CHRISTIANSEN,  Appointee  -  licensed clinical  social                                                               
worker  seat, Board  of Social  Work  Examiners, said  she has  a                                                               
certificate  in Rural  Human Services,  an Associate's  Degree in                                                               
Human  Services,  a  Bachelor's  Degree in  Social  Work,  and  a                                                               
Master's Degree  in Social  Work. She  works in  Kodiak providing                                                               
trauma  treatment for  youths referred  through  the local  child                                                               
advocacy center. She  wants to serve on the board  to work toward                                                               
ensuring continuity of care among  clinicians in rural areas. She                                                               
is  also interested  in the  licensing process  and the  way that                                                               
people come to the state and provide services.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO commented on  Ms. Christiansen's impressive resume                                                               
and thanked her for her willingness to serve.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:57:16 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO  asked Rachel  Olson to  tell the  committee about                                                               
her interest in serving on the Board of Social Work Examiners.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
RACHEL  OLSON, Appointee  -  public seat,  Board  of Social  Work                                                               
Examiners,  said  she is  a  therapeutic  foster parent  and  the                                                               
founder and director  of Royal Family KIDS, a  camp and mentoring                                                               
program for  foster children  ages 6-12. She  also works  for the                                                               
Mat  Su  Health  Foundation  on   the  R.O.C.K.  Mat-Su  steering                                                               
committee and policy workgroup. She  hopes to be a bridge between                                                               
the board, the foundation, and the legislature.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Ms. Olson  for her willingness to serve on                                                               
the  Board of  Social  Work Examiners.  Finding  no questions  or                                                               
testimony on the nominations, she closed public testimony.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
            Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:58:53 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO  asked Michael Notar  to tell the  committee about                                                               
his interest in serving on  the five-member Workers' Compensation                                                               
Appeals Commission.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MICHAEL  NOTAR, Appointee  -  labor  seat, Workers'  Compensation                                                               
Appeals Commission, said he is  a lifelong Alaskan who retired in                                                               
2013. He  was a  member of the  board from 2007  to 2010  and was                                                               
stimulated by that service. He would  like to serve again and has                                                               
the ability to  ensure that the process is fair  and equitable to                                                               
all stakeholders.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Mr. Notar  for his willingness to serve on                                                               
the   Workers'  Compensation   Appeals  Commission.   Finding  no                                                               
questions  or  testimony on  the  nomination,  she closed  public                                                               
testimony.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
    Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers and Land                                                                
                           Surveyors                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  COSTELLO  asked David  Hale  to  express his  interest  in                                                               
serving on  the Board of  Registration for  Architects, Engineers                                                               
and Land Surveyors.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
DAVID  HALE, Appointee,  Board  of  Registration for  Architects,                                                               
Engineers and  Land Surveyors,  said he has  served on  the board                                                               
for  the  past  four  years  and feels  he's  learned  enough  to                                                               
contribute to the process and would like reappointment.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked  Mr. Hale for his service on  the Board of                                                               
Registration  for  Architects,   Engineers  and  Land  Surveyors.                                                               
Finding no questions  or testimony on the  nomination, she closed                                                               
public testimony.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:04:15 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
          Occupational Safety and Health Review Board                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:04:31 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO  reconvened the meeting and  asked Anthony Barnard                                                               
to express  his interest  in serving  on the  Occupational Safety                                                               
and Health Review Board.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
ANTHONY  BARNARD,  Appointee,   Occupational  Safety  and  Health                                                               
Review Board, said he had been in  Alaska for 16 years and in the                                                               
safety and health  profession since 1987. He is  president of the                                                               
American  Industrial Hygiene  Association, has  presented at  the                                                               
Governor's  conference,  and  has worked  consistently  with  the                                                               
Occupational Safety  and Health  Administration (OSHA).  He feels                                                               
he can contribute to the board and looks forward to the service.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  COSTELLO commented  on his  impressive resume  and thanked                                                               
Mr.  Barnard for  his willingness  to serve  on the  Occupational                                                               
Safety  and   Health  Review  Board.  Finding   no  questions  or                                                               
testimony on the nomination, she closed public testimony.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  COSTELLO thanked  all  of the  appointees  and stated  she                                                               
would hold  all the names  and forward them  to the full  body in                                                               
one batch. [The names were forwarded on 4/5/2016.]                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:07:09 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
            SB 203-MEDI-VAC FLIGHT CREW OVERTIME PAY                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:07:54 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO  announced the consideration of  SB 203. She noted                                                               
this is the first hearing.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
FORREST  WOLFE,  Staff,  Senator   Lesil  McGuire,  Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature Juneau,  Alaska, introduced SB  203 on behalf  of the                                                               
sponsor speaking to the following sponsor statement:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Air  ambulance air  carriers have  become a  common and                                                                    
     essential life line for Alaskans.  The service is vital                                                                    
     to the  well-being of Alaskans  across our  vast state.                                                                    
     To  provide  this  life-saving  service,  flight  crews                                                                    
     regularly  included  medical  providers  to  administer                                                                    
     appropriate  medical care  during the  flight and  in a                                                                    
     flight  emergency  provide  the  same  assistance  that                                                                    
     flight attendants do on passenger service carriers.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Current  law  exempts  air  ambulance  crews  from  the                                                                    
     overtime requirements  in Alaska. This is  in line with                                                                    
     the  federal Railway  Labor Act  which exempts  flights                                                                    
     crews from overtime requirements  because of the nature                                                                    
     of the air business. When  the state law was originally                                                                    
     passed it defined air crews  as pilot, co-pilot, flight                                                                    
     engineer,  and flight  attendants; however  today's air                                                                    
     crews  also include  these  medical  care providers  as                                                                    
     part  of their  regular crew.  Senate Bill  203 updates                                                                    
     current  statute   by  exempting  these   medical  care                                                                    
     providers from overtime  requirements, thus bringing it                                                                    
     in  line  with modern  practice  in  the air  ambulance                                                                    
     business.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WOLFE  advised that  the  bill  states  that it  applies  to                                                               
contracts entered into on or  after the effective date. He listed                                                               
the  individuals  available  to   provide  testimony  and  answer                                                               
questions.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO asked what practical concern the bill alleviates.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. WOLFE  offered his understanding that  most medical personnel                                                               
on these  flight crews  are on a  salary-based payment  scale. SB
203 will bring  personnel that are not on  a salary-based payment                                                               
scale in line with other crew members on these planes.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:10:45 PM                                                                                                                    
GREY MITCHELL, Director, Division  of Labor Standards and Safety,                                                               
Department of  Labor and  Workforce Development  (DOLWD), offered                                                               
to  answer questions  related to  SB 203.  Speaking to  the issue                                                               
that was  just raised, he  said current  law is very  clear about                                                               
what  constitutes  members  of  a flight  crew,  and  it  doesn't                                                               
include medical personnel who might  be acting in the capacity of                                                               
a flight  attendant. There has  been some question  about whether                                                               
they would be considered under  the flight attendant category and                                                               
thus exempt  from overtime.  The plain reading  is that  they are                                                               
not  a  flight attendant.  The  bill  adds clarification  to  the                                                               
current statutory  definition of what constitutes  a flight crew,                                                               
which would eliminate  any question about whether or  not crew on                                                               
air ambulances and medivac  operations providing medical services                                                               
are exempt from overtime.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO  asked if the  fact that they haven't  been exempt                                                               
translates to higher costs for the consumer.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MITCHELL said he didn't know.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if these individuals  are on call and on the                                                               
clock waiting for a potential call.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. MITCHELL  said he isn't  sure how the industry  handles that,                                                               
but if they  are required to remain  at or close to  the place of                                                               
employment while they're  on call, that time  would be considered                                                               
on  the  clock.  If  they  are  able  to  pursue  their  personal                                                               
interests  while on  call, they  wouldn't be  on the  clock until                                                               
they're called.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MEYER asked if air ambulance employees support the bill.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. MITCHELL  replied the  division hasn't  had any  contact with                                                               
air ambulance employees and there  isn't a significant history of                                                               
wage claims.  His research  shows that one  company filed  a wage                                                               
claim in 2007 and another claim in 2013.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MEYER asked if SB  203 mirrors other states' treatment of                                                               
air ambulance employees.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. MITCHELL said he didn't know.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Webb to address the previous questions.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:15:03 PM                                                                                                                    
CHRIS WEBB,  Vice President, Air  Medical Resource  Group (AMRG),                                                               
said  his  company  operates  Alaska  Regional  Life  Flight  and                                                               
Guardian Flight in Alaska. They  are interested in SB 203 because                                                               
it  provides needed  clarification. He  related that  flight crew                                                               
members in  all states  are exempt because  of the  Railway Labor                                                               
Act.  However, Alaska's  definition of  a flight  crew puts  into                                                               
question whether or not those serving  as a flight crew on an air                                                               
medical  flight,  including  medical  attendees,  are  considered                                                               
flight crew.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
He noted  that members  of a  flight crew  are basically  on call                                                               
24/7 during  their 7-  or 14-day shift,  although there  are some                                                               
restrictions to  proximity. In most  cases they are paid  a daily                                                               
rate  whether  they fly  or  not.  He  opined  that it  would  be                                                               
difficult  to create  a pay  structure that  takes overtime  into                                                               
account; what's  more important  is to  make sure  the pay  is in                                                               
line with the industry nationwide.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO summarized  that flight crews on  a medical flight                                                               
currently  are being  treated as  if  they are  not eligible  for                                                               
overtime. SB 203 puts the current practice into law.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WEBB responded  saying that  when  this issue  came up,  his                                                               
company adjusted  the pay structure  for crews on an  air medical                                                               
flight. His  preference is for the  pay structure to be  the same                                                               
as for all other crew members.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO  asked if  this will  result in  less cost  to the                                                               
consumer.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WEBB replied  it  should be  a wash  to  the consumer.  This                                                               
clarification puts the entire crew  on the same pay structure, as                                                               
is the case in other states.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:20:17 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO  asked Mr.  Mitchell if  the administration  has a                                                               
position on the bill.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. MITCHELL replied the department is neutral on SB 203.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COSTELLO found no questions or public testimony.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:20:51 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:20:56 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR COSTELLO  reconvened the  meeting, closed  public testimony                                                               
on SB 203, and held the bill in committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:21:13 PM                                                                                                                    
There being  no further  business to  come before  the committee,                                                               
Chair Costello  adjourned the Senate Labor  and Commerce Standing                                                               
Committee meeting at 2:21 p.m.                                                                                                  

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
Labor Relations Agency Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
2 - Labor Relations Agency.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Labor Relations Agency - McSorley #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Workers' Compensation Board Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Workers' Comp Board - Ellis #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
3 - Workers' Compensation Board.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Barbers and Hairdressers Fact Sheets.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
6 - Barbers & Hairdressers.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Barbers - McKinley #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Board of Chiropractic Examiners Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
8 - Chiropractic Examiners.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Chiropractic - Aderhold #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Board of Nursing Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Nursing
13 - Nursing.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Nursing
Nursing - Gillis #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Nursing
Nursing - Thon #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Nursing
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Psychologists & Psychological Examiners
15 - Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners Roster.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Psychologists & Psychological Examiners
Psychologists and Psychological - Angstman #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Psychologists & Psychological Examiners
Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Registration Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors
17 - Architects, Engineers, Land Surveyors.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Registration Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors
Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors - Hale #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Registration Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors
Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors - Schedler #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Registration Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors
Board of Social Work Examiners Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Social Work Examiners
18 - Social Work Examiners.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Social Work Examiners
Social Workers - Christiansen #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Social Work Examiners
Social Workers - Olson #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Social Work Examiners
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
23 - Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Physical Therapy and Occ Therapy Bd - Parietti #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission Fact Sheet.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
25 - Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission Roster.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Workers' Comp Appeals - Notar #1.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
8 - Real Estate Appraisers Roster.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
Real Estate Appraisers - Tracy.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
SB 203 - Fiscal Note.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
SB 203
SB 203 - Sponsor Statement.pdf SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
SB 203
SB 203 ver. A.PDF SL&C 3/24/2016 1:30:00 PM
SB 203