03/15/2021 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| SB27 | |
| SB21 | |
| SJR9 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 15, 2021
1:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Roger Holland, Vice Chair
Senator Joshua Revak
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Mia Costello, Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Holly Andrews - Wasilla
Michelle McMullin - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
David Talerico - Healy
Micheal Dennis - Wasilla
Bronson Frye - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 27
"An Act relating to industrial hemp; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 27(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 21
"An Act relating to mobile intensive care paramedics; relating
to duties of the State Medical Board and the Department of
Health and Social Services; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED SB 21 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9
Urging the United States Congress to exempt cruise ships from
certain provisions of the Passenger Vessel Services Act and
other applicable provisions of federal law for the period during
which Canadian ports are closed to cruise ships carrying more
than 100 people; and urging the President of the United States
not to fine or take actions against cruise ships sailing to the
state.
- MOVED CSSJR 9(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 27
SHORT TITLE: INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM;MANUFACTURING
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) HUGHES
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) L&C, RES
03/08/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/08/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/08/21 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/15/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 21
SHORT TITLE: LICENSE MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE PARAMEDICS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) REVAK
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) HSS, L&C
03/02/21 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/02/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/02/21 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/04/21 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/04/21 (S) Moved SB 21 Out of Committee
03/04/21 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/05/21 (S) HSS RPT 3DP 1NR
03/05/21 (S) DP: WILSON, COSTELLO, HUGHES
03/05/21 (S) NR: BEGICH
03/15/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SJR 9
SHORT TITLE: URGE EXEMPTION FOR CRUISE SHIPS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KIEHL
02/10/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/10/21 (S) TRA, L&C
02/18/21 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/18/21 (S) Moved SJR 9 Out of Committee
02/18/21 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
02/19/21 (S) TRA RPT 2DP 1NR
02/19/21 (S) DP: MYERS, KIEHL
02/19/21 (S) NR: SHOWER
03/03/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/03/21 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/05/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/05/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/05/21 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/15/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
HOLLY ANDREWS, Appointee
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the industry seat
on the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.
MICHELLE MCMULLIN, Appointee
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the Board of
Barbers and Hairdressers.
DAVID TALERICO, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD)
Healy, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board.
MICHEAL DENNIS, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD)
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board.
BRONSON FRYE, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board.
BUDDY WHITT, Staff
Senator Shelley Hughes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information and answered questions
related to SB 27 on behalf of the sponsor.
EMBER HAYNES, Co-owner
Denali Hemp Co
Talkeetna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 27.
SENATOR JESSE KIEHL
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SJR 9.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:31:00 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS called the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Revak, Holland, Gray-Jackson, and
Acting Chair Stevens.
He reviewed the agenda.
^Confirmation Hearing(s)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
1:32:31 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of Governor
Appointees to the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. He asked
Ms. Andrews to tell the committee about her professional
experience and interest in serving on the board.
1:32:54 PM
HOLLY ANDREWS, Appointee, Board of Barbers and Hairdressers,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), Wasilla, Alaska, stated that she received her license
about four years. Her interest in serving on this relatively new
board is to help advance the growing industry. She supports
licensees being aware of and educated in all areas of the
profession whether they practice in the areas or not.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS asked for the name and location of her
shop.
MS. ANDREWS answered that her business is Holly Danielle
Esthetics, and she is located in Wasilla. She added that her
long-term goal is to open a school to advance the profession.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no questions and thanked Ms. Andrews.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS asked Michelle McMullin to tell the
committee about her interest in serving on the Board of Barbers
and Hairdressers.
1:35:11 PM
MICHELLE MCMULLIN, Appointee, Board of Barbers and Hairdressers,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that she is testifying for
reappointment to the board. She related that she has been a nail
technician for more than 25 years and a licensed esthetician for
more than 10 years. She has been working to ensure the growth of
the beauty industry in Alaska. She has enjoyed serving on the
board and helping fellow Alaskans through the pandemic-related
economic slump.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS asked how long she had served on the board.
MS. MCMULLIN answered that her first appointment was in 2017.
SENATOR HOLLAND asked where her shop was located.
MS. MCMULLLIN answered that she owns Polished Charisma in
midtown Anchorage.
SENATOR HOLLAND asked how business has been in midtown and if
she sees light at the end of the tunnel.
MS. MCMULLIN replied, it has been a slow process for
estheticians in Anchorage.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked her for having a business in her
district. She asked for the exact location.
MS. MCMULLIN answered that she is on 36th Avenue close to Arctic
and International.
1:38:27 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS thanked her for her interest and past
service.
1:38:54 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS opened public testimony on the appointments
to the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. Finding nobody who
wished to comment, he closed public testimony on the
appointments of Ms. Andrews and Ms. McMullin.
1:39:05 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee reviewed the
following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a
joint session for consideration:
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Holly Andrews - Wasilla
Michelle McMullin - Anchorage
Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no objection and the names were
forwarded for consideration by the full legislature.
1:39:43 PM
At ease
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
1:40:44 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS reconvened the meeting and announced
consideration of Governor Appointees to the Alaska Workers'
Compensation Board. He asked Mr. Talerico to tell the committee
about his interest in the appointment to the board.
1:41:07 PM
DAVID TALERICO, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), Healy,
Alaska, stated that he has worked as a laborer and heavy
equipment operator in the mining industry and is a former
business owner. Thus, he is very familiar with the workers'
compensation insurance from both the owner and laborer sides. He
has worked as a mine supervisor and is a retired Teamster. He
listed the boards he has served on in the past.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS thanked him for his past service and
continuing interest in serving the public.
SENATOR REVAK echoed the chair's comments.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no further comments. He asked Michael
Dennis to provide a brief history and his interest in serving on
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board.
1:43:05 PM
MICHEAL DENNIS, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), Wasilla,
Alaska, stated that he has been in the insurance industry for 30
years and is a partner at Conrad-Houston Insurance in Anchorage.
He related that 50 percent of their revenue comes from workers'
compensation. He views serving on the board as an opportunity to
provide insight on how workers' compensations affects businesses
and a way to give back to the industry.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no questions and thanked him for his
interest in serving. He asked Bronson Frye to tell the committee
about his experience and interest in serving on the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board.
1:44:30 PM
BRONSON FRYE, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD),
Anchorage, Alaska, stated that he has served on the board for
last three years. He related his interest in continuing to serve
to ensure the fair treatment of injured workers and to help
lower the worker's compensation rates in Alaska, thereby helping
small businesses and the overall economy. To attain these goals
he works as a labor representative with the industry
representatives and the hearing officers to find consensus. This
approach has been successful and is indicative of a board that
is doing good work and works well together, he said.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS thanked him for his service.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON noted that Mr. Frye was a friend and
thanked him for his service.
1:47:12 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS opened public testimony on the appointments
to the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board. Finding none, he
closed public testimony on the appointments of David Talerico,
Micheal Dennis, and Bronson Frye to the Alaska Workers'
Compensation Board.
1:47:40 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee reviewed the
following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a
joint session for consideration:
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
David Talerico - Healy
Micheal Dennis - Wasilla
Bronson Frye - Anchorage
Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no objection and stated that the
names would be forwarded to the full legislature.
1:48:13 PM
At ease
SB 27-INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM; MANUFACTURING
1:49:07 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 27, "An Act relating to
industrial hemp; and providing for an effective date."
He asked Mr. Whitt to provide any additional comments on SB 27.
1:49:41 PM
BUDDY WHITT, Staff, Senator Shelley Hughes, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated that the sponsor asked him
to speak to two items that came up during the initial hearing.
The first related to the prohibition for individuals with
controlled substance felonies to be part of the program. He read
the following federal prohibition:
The federal government requires that each United
States department of agriculture approved USDA state
plan contain provisions related to felonies. In part,
the provisions are required to state that a person
with a state or federal felony conviction related to a
controlled substance is subject to a 10-year
ineligibility restriction on participating in the plan
and producing hemp under the state or tribal plan from
the date of the conviction.
MR. WHITT said the second item was about a tax on hemp. He
emphasized that SB 27 does not recommend a tax of any kind on
individuals who decide to grow industrial hemp. There is a fee
to grow, manufacture, or retail industrial hemp, but no tax.
1:52:55 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS opened public testimony on SB 27.
1:53:39 PM
EMBER HAYNES, Denali Hemp Co, Talkeetna, Alaska, stated that
this is the second year that she and her husband have been
registered growers in the Alaska Hemp Program. For the last six
years, they have represented small acreage producers interested
in incorporating industrial hemp as a sustainable crop to
provide food, nutrition, and improved soil health. Landowners
regularly contact her to ask about growing hemp as feed, for
crop rotation, or green manure. She encouraged the passage of SB
27 and the many uses of the hemp plant as an agricultural crop
and products not currently considered in the language of the
hemp program.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS noted who was available to answer
questions.
1:55:41 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS closed public testimony on SB 27 and
solicited a motion.
1:55:50 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND moved to report SB 27, work order 32-LS0249\A as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no objection and CSSB 27(L&C) passed
from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
1:56:17 PM
At ease
SB 21-LICENSE MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE PARAMEDICS
1:57:44 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 21, "An Act relating to mobile
intensive care paramedics; relating to duties of the State
Medical Board and the Department of Health and Social Services;
and providing for an effective date."
1:58:09 PM
SENATOR JOSH REVAK, speaking as sponsor, introduced SB 21 with
the following statement:
SB 21 seeks to consolidate oversight of the Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) system under a single agency to
improve peer and professional oversight. This has been
years in the making through a deliberative process
that involved hundreds of stakeholders throughout the
EMS community. It has been unanimously supported by
the State Medical Board and has broad support from
paramedics around the state.
Currently EMS oversight is split between the State
Medical Board within the Department of Commerce and
the EMS section within the Department of Health and
Social Services (DHSS). This bill will transfer all
paramedic licensure to the Alaska Emergency Medical
Services in DHSS, which currently is responsible for
certifying EMTs, EMT instructors, EMT training, ground
ambulance, medevac services, paramedic instructors,
and paramedic training. All the other EMS services
except for paramedics.
This split arose because paramedics did not exist in
Alaska before 1974. After 1974, the term mobile
intensive care paramedic was created for the new scope
of practice in the Anchorage and Fairbanks fire
departments. The emergency medical services within
DHSS did not exist in Alaska code until 1981 when the
responsibility to license and credential paramedics
was placed under the State Medical Board. In 1984, the
EMS section became fully functional; however, the
paramedic licensure still stayed under the State
Medical Board.
SB 21 will not change the scope of practice, license
requirements, or fee structure for the approximately
600 paramedic licenses in Alaska. The medical
direction will be provided by the existing DHSS chief
medical officer and the EMS medical director's
committee comprised of 10 members specializing in
emergency medicine, five of whom are required to have
paramedic experience. The existing data systems are
able to incorporate paramedic licensure, making the
move a seamless transition.
Transferring oversight and licensure of mobile
intensive care paramedics from the State Medical Board
to DHSS will fully integrate the EMS system and ensure
it is robust, sustainable, and resilient so that it
functions optimally. Aligning all EMS services under a
single agency promotes public health and safety while
also providing efficiencies through peer and
professional oversight.
SENATOR REVAK summarized that SB 21 has the same language as the
bill the committee heard last year. It moves paramedics under
the structure with the rest of the emergency medical services.
He said he is unaware of any opposition to the legislation.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS polled the members and determined it was
not necessary to go through the sectional analysis.
2:02:30 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS opened public testimony on SB 21. Finding
nobody who wished to comment, he closed public testimony and
solicited the will of the committee.
2:03:02 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND moved to report SB 21, work order 32-LS0207\B,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note(s).
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no objection and SB 21 passed from
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
2:03:52 PM
At ease
SJR 9-URGE EXEMPTION FOR CRUISE SHIPS
2:03:57 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9, Urging the
United States Congress to exempt cruise ships from certain
provisions of the Passenger Vessel Services Act and other
applicable provisions of federal law for the period during which
Canadian ports are closed to cruise ships carrying more than 100
people; and urging the President of the United States not to
fine or take actions against cruise ships sailing to the state.
[The committee adopted Amendment 1, work order 32-LS0503\B.1, on
3/5/21.]
2:05:38 PM
SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SJR 9, stated that since the committee heard the
legislation last, Congress learned that the reconciliation
package it was considering was not an acceptable vehicle for
this legislation. He said the Alaska delegation is working to
find another vehicle and he would encourage committee to move
SJR 9 forward to get it to the delegation as soon as possible.
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no questions or comments and
solicited the will of the committee.
2:06:59 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND moved to report SJR 9, work order 32-LS0503\B as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
2:07:18 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no objection and CSSJR 9(L&C) passed
from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
2:07:28 PM
At ease
2:09:16 PM
ACTING CHAIR STEVENS reconvened the meeting and stated that
without further business to come before the committee, the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting at 2:09
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SLAC GOV Appointee Holly Andrews Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE BBH HOLLY ANDREWS |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Michelle McMullin Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE BBH MICHELLE MCMULLIN |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Michelle McMullin Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE BBH MICHELLE MCMULLIN |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Dave Talerico Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE AWCB DAVE TALERICO |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Micheal Dennis Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE AWCB MICHEAL DENNIS |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Bronson Frye Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE AWCB BRONSON FRYE |
| SB 21 v. B.pdf |
HHSS 4/13/2021 3:00:00 PM SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 v. B Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HHSS 4/13/2021 3:00:00 PM SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support University Fire Dept..pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support Steese Fire Dept..pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support Joseph Livengood.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support Jenny Brown.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support Interior Fire Chiefs Assn..pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support Glori Strickler.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support David Cadogan.pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support Chugiak Fire Dept..pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |
| SB 21 Letter of Support Anchorage Fire Dept..pdf |
SL&C 3/15/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |