Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/17/2023 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB83 | |
| HB56 | |
| SB94 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 94 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 17, 2023
1:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Chair
Senator Click Bishop, Vice Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Kelly Merrick
Senator Forrest Dunbar
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 83
"An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to
temporary licenses for some professions; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 83(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 56
"An Act exempting controlled substances prescribed or dispensed
by a veterinarian to treat an animal from the requirements of
the controlled substance prescription database."
- MOVED SCS HB 56(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 94
"An Act relating to the Board of Pharmacy; relating to the
practice of pharmacy; relating to pharmacies; relating to
prescription drug manufacturers; relating to prescriptions for
epinephrine; relating to the administration of epinephrine; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 83
SHORT TITLE: PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/24/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/24/23 (S) L&C, FIN
03/06/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/06/23 (S) Heard & Held
03/06/23 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/29/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/29/23 (S) Heard & Held
03/29/23 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/31/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/31/23 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/05/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/05/23 (S) Heard & Held
04/05/23 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/12/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/12/23 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/17/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 56
SHORT TITLE: CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT ANIMAL RX
SPONSOR(s): RUFFRIDGE
02/03/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/03/23 (H) HSS, L&C
02/18/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
02/18/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/02/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/02/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/02/23 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/11/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/11/23 (H) Moved HB 56 Out of Committee
03/11/23 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/15/23 (H) HSS RPT 6DP
03/15/23 (H) DP: SUMNER, RUFFRIDGE, MCCORMICK,
SADDLER, MINA, PRAX
03/20/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/20/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/20/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/24/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/24/23 (H) Moved HB 56 Out of Committee
03/24/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/27/23 (H) L&C RPT 4DP
03/27/23 (H) DP: PRAX, CARRICK, SADDLER, RUFFRIDGE
03/29/23 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/29/23 (H) VERSION: HB 56
03/31/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/31/23 (S) L&C
04/10/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/10/23 (S) Heard & Held
04/10/23 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/17/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 94
SHORT TITLE: PROFESSION OF PHARMACY
SPONSOR(s): GIESSEL BY REQUEST
03/08/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/08/23 (S) L&C, FIN
04/03/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/03/23 (S) Heard & Held
04/03/23 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/12/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/12/23 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/17/23 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
SYLVAN ROBB, Director
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a recap of SB 83.
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff
Senator Jesse Bjorkman
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes Amendment 1 makes to
SB 83, version S.
HEATHER WILLIS, DMD, Governmental Affairs Chair
Alaska Dental Society
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of SB 83.
JAMES SEXTON, Staff
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a recap of HB 56.
LAURA ACHEE, Staff
Senator Jesse Bjorkman
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the explanation of changes to the
Senate committee substitute for HB 56.
JANE CONWAY, Staff
Senator Cathy Giessel
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a recap of SB 94.
EMILY KNOWLES, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 94.
MARGARET SODEN, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 94.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:33:22 PM
CHAIR JESSE BJORKMAN called the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Dunbar, Gray-Jackson, and Chair
Bjorkman. Senators Bishop and Merrick arrived during the
meeting.
SB 83-PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS
1:34:40 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 83
"An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to
temporary licenses for some professions; and providing for an
effective date."
[CSSB 83 was adopted April 5 and is before the committee.] He
asked Sylvan Robb to provide a recap of the bill.
1:35:18 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations, Business and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development, Juneau, Alaska, gave a recap of SB 83. She
reminded the committee that the universal temporary licensure
bill allows the department to issue temporary licenses for 180
days for members of 40 of the 43 professional areas it
supervises; those excluded require Alaska-specific information.
To obtain a temporary license, an individual needs to have a
license in good standing in another jurisdiction of the United
States or Canada, they cannot have any discipline on their
license, and they cannot have committed an act in the last ten
years that would disqualify them from obtaining a license in
Alaska. Their existing license must have substantially similar
requirements as an Alaskan license. If the profession requires a
criminal background check in Alaska, then it must be completed
first.
1:36:54 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN said the committee previously adopted a committee
substitute to ensure the Division of Corporations, Business and
Professional Licensing had the ability to provide military
courtesy licenses that would comply with new federal
regulations. Members have a draft proposed amendment to address
this issue. He noted that there was an amendment that further
clarified certain temporary licenses.
1:37:16 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 33-
GS1614\S.2, for CSSB 83.
33-GS1614\S.2
Bergerud
4/6/23
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE
TO: CSSB 83(L&C), Draft Version "S"
Page 2, line 3:
Delete "or"
Page 2, line 8, following "AS 08.01.064(a)(2);":
Insert "or"
Page 2, following line 8:
Insert a new subparagraph to read:
"(C) is applying for a temporary license to
practice
(i) dentistry, has graduated from an accredited
dental program in the United States, and has passed
written and clinical examinations approved by the
Board of Dental Examiners; or
(ii) dental hygiene, has graduated from an
accredited dental hygiene program in the United
States, and has passed written and clinical
examinations approved by the Board of Dental
Examiners;"
SENATOR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of an explanation.
1:37:34 PM
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that Amendment 1 adds
dentists and dental hygienists who have completed schooling and
passed their written and clinical exams to the language listing
occupations that would be eligible for a universal temporary
license.
1:38:40 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN removed his objection to Amendment 1. Finding no
further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
1:39:12 PM
HEATHER WILLIS, DMD, Governmental Affairs Chair, Alaska Dental
Society, Fairbanks, Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of
SB 83, specifically in regard to providing temporary licenses to
dentists and dental hygienists. She stated that the Alaska
Dental Society is attempting to speed up the licensing process
overall and this would provide an avenue for dentists and dental
hygienists to join the workforce promptly upon becoming
qualified.
1:40:46 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN asked about the roadblocks that prevent dental
students from entering the workforce after they complete their
schooling.
1:41:00 PM
DR. WILLIS answered that dentists have difficulty finding dental
hygienists nationwide. It takes six to eight months to process
an already licensed hygienist license. Newly graduated
hygienists should not experience these licensing delays.
1:42:30 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reiterated that Amendment 1 ensures that dental
hygienists who have completed their schooling and passed all
examinations would be able to receive a temporary license for up
to 180 days.
1:43:36 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to report CSSB 83, work order 33-
GS1614\S, as amended, from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and CSSB 83(L&C) was reported
from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
1:44:06 PM
At ease.
HB 56-CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT ANIMAL RX
1:48:49 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 56 "An Act exempting controlled
substances prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian to treat an
animal from the requirements of the controlled substance
prescription database."
He stated that this is the second hearing of this bill. The
committee heard the Senate companion bill on March 24 and
adopted a committee substitute. He noted that James Sexton would
provide a brief recap of HB 56.
1:49:36 PM
JAMES SEXTON, Staff, Representative Justin Ruffridge, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated that HB 56 exempts
veterinarians from the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
(PDMP). Currently, when pets are admitted as patients,
veterinarians are required to review the human owner's personal
medical history of pharmaceutical drug prescriptions and other
information. Veterinarians are not trained in human medical
information, medications, or correlating dosages. Veterinarians
are not listed under privacy for HIPPA purposes. This bill would
remove this burdensome requirement and address the corresponding
privacy concerns.
1:50:53 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on HB 56; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
1:51:31 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to adopt the Senate committee
substitute (SCS) for HB 56, work order 33-LS0394\B, as the
working document.
CHAIR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of discussion.
1:52:08 PM
SENATOR BISHOP joined the meeting.
1:52:16 PM
LAURA ACHEE, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the explanation of
changes to the Senate committee substitute. She said the Senate
committee substitute (SCS) is identical to the committee
substitute adopted for the companion of this bill [CSSB 51 was
adopted March 24, 2023]. This bill would expand statutory
allowances for certification to allow veterinarians that haven't
been qualified in the United States, but who are well-qualified
and have alternative certifications to be certified to work in
the state of Alaska.
1:53:21 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN removed his objection and SCS for HB 56 was
adopted as the working document.
1:53:30 PM
At ease.
1:56:52 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting.
SENATOR MERRICK joined the meeting.
1:57:12 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
1:57:15 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to report SCS HB 56, work order 33-
LS0394\B, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
1:57:45 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SCS HB 56(L&C) was
reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
1:57:41 PM
At ease.
SB 94-PROFESSION OF PHARMACY
1:59:52 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 94 "An Act relating to the
Board of Pharmacy; relating to the practice of pharmacy;
relating to pharmacies; relating to prescription drug
manufacturers; relating to prescriptions for epinephrine;
relating to the administration of epinephrine; and providing for
an effective date."
He noted that this was the second hearing of the bill in this
committee and requested a brief recap.
2:00:57 PM
JANE CONWAY, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated that SB 94 updates statutes
relating to the profession of pharmacy. This is a multi-year
collaboration over multiple boards and chairs. The Board of
Pharmacy worked alongside the Pharmacist's Association to draft
this piece of legislation that will modernize statutes
regulating pharmacy, an evolving field that experienced changes
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2:03:19 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 94.
2:03:49 PM
EMILY KNOWLES, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 94. She said this bill will significantly
impact her practice by providing greater clarity regarding the
role of pharmacists in epinephrine accessibility, allowing them
to prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors, and making the
lifesaving medication more readily available across the state.
In addition to relieving redundancy and updates regarding
regulatory concerns, SB 94 would reallocate one of two seats on
the Board of Pharmacy currently reserved for members of the
public to a pharmacy technician, which would otherwise be
unfulfilled. Allowing pharmacy technicians, who are integral in
day-to-day pharmacy practice, to have a voice on the board is
imperative and will serve to further advance the profession.
2:06:14 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN asked how pharmacy technicians' point of view
would differ from that of pharmacists seated on the board.
2:06:36 PM
MS. KNOWLES answered that the tasks performed by pharmacy
technicians and pharmacists are quite different. Additionally,
many pharmacy technicians are seeking growth and are dedicated
to gaining experience in the field.
2:07:27 PM
MARGARET SODEN, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 94. She is a retired pharmacist who previously
served on the Alaska Board of Pharmacy. She said that there are
two items in this bill that she is particularly interested in
updating. The first is replacing one of the two public member
seats with a pharmacy technician seat. Those seats have been
difficult to fill and have remained vacant. Pharmacy technicians
have become an integral part of the profession and their input
is vital. The second item is adoption of regulations for retired
pharmacist status, which would bring Alaska into alignment with
other states. She obtained her Alaska pharmacy license in 1970
and would like to retire that license. Her license is active,
but she is not actively practicing in the pharmaceutical field.
2:09:56 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 94. He said the
public may email written testimony to slac@akleg.gov for this
bill or any bill.
CHAIR BJORKMAN held SB 94 in committee.
2:10:54 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Bjorkman adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 2:10 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 83 Draft Proposed Amendment S.2.pdf |
SL&C 4/17/2023 1:30:00 PM |
SB 83 |
| SB 83 Supporting Testimony-Letter_State Med Board 04.07.23.pdf |
SL&C 4/17/2023 1:30:00 PM |
SB 83 |
| HB 56 Draft Proposed CS ver B.pdf |
SL&C 4/17/2023 1:30:00 PM |
HB 56 |
| SB 94 Support Testimony-Letter_ANTHC 04.05.23.pdf |
SL&C 4/17/2023 1:30:00 PM |
SB 94 |