Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

04/28/2023 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSSB 88(L&C) Out of Committee
*+ SB 116 ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
-- <Time Limit May Be Set> --
+= SB 123 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSSB 123(L&C) Out of Committee
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
-- <Time Limit May Be Set> --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
          SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                        
                         April 28, 2023                                                                                         
                           1:33 a.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Chair                                                                                                   
Senator Click Bishop, Vice Chair                                                                                                
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson (via teleconference)                                                                                  
Senator Kelly Merrick                                                                                                           
Senator Forrest Dunbar                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 88                                                                                                              
"An Act  relating to the  Public Employees' Retirement  System of                                                               
Alaska  and the  teachers' retirement  system; providing  certain                                                               
employees an  opportunity to choose  between the  defined benefit                                                               
and  defined   contribution  plans   of  the   Public  Employees'                                                               
Retirement System of Alaska and  the teachers' retirement system;                                                               
and providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED CSSB 88(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 116                                                                                                             
"An  Act  relating  to  the  Board  of  Professional  Counselors;                                                               
relating to licensing of associate  counselors; and providing for                                                               
an effective date."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD AND HELD                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 123                                                                                                             
"An  Act relating  to commercial  motor vehicle  drivers' license                                                               
requirements; and providing for an effective date."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED CSSB 123(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 88                                                                                                                   
SHORT TITLE: RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT.                                                                           
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GIESSEL                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
03/01/23       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/01/23       (S)       L&C, FIN                                                                                               
03/13/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
03/13/23       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/13/23       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
03/15/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
03/15/23       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/15/23       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
03/17/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
03/17/23       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/17/23       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
03/20/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
03/20/23       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/20/23       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
03/22/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
03/22/23       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/22/23       (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)                                                                                            
04/26/23       (S)       L&C AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
04/26/23       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/26/23       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
04/28/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 116                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS                                                                              
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GIESSEL BY REQUEST                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
03/29/23       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/29/23       (S)       L&C, FIN                                                                                               
04/28/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 123                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS                                                                                
SPONSOR(s): TRANSPORTATION                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
04/05/23       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/05/23       (S)       TRA, L&C                                                                                               
04/11/23       (S)       TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
04/11/23       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/11/23       (S)       MINUTE(TRA)                                                                                            
04/13/23       (S)       TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
04/13/23       (S)       Moved SB 123 Out of Committee                                                                          
04/13/23       (S)       MINUTE(TRA)                                                                                            
04/14/23       (S)       TRA RPT 3DP                                                                                            
04/14/23       (S)       DP: KAUFMAN, MYERS, WILSON                                                                             
04/21/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
04/21/23       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/21/23       (S)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
04/26/23       (S)       L&C AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
04/26/23       (S)       <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
04/28/23       (S)       L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, District E                                                                                               
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 116.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
JANE CONWAY, Staff                                                                                                              
Senator Cathy Giessel                                                                                                           
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for SB 116.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
RACHEL BUDDIN-YOUNG, Board Member                                                                                               
Alaska Board of Professional Counselors                                                                                         
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a presentation on SB 116 titled                                                                      
"Associate Counselor License."                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
JOSHUA ARVIDSON, Chief Operating Officer                                                                                        
Alaska Behavioral Health                                                                                                        
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered invited testimony in support of SB
116.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
DORENE HAGEN, Chair                                                                                                             
Board of Professional Counselors                                                                                                
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development                                                                      
Homer, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered invited testimony in support of SB
116.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ELAINE BORDER, Clinical Director and Owner                                                                                      
Border Counseling Services;                                                                                                     
Board Member for Akeela                                                                                                         
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered invited testimony in support of SB
116.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
KIRA LATHROP, representing self                                                                                                 
Skagway, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 116.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MARYBETH GOODMAN, representing self                                                                                             
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of 116.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SAMMIE O'NEIL, Vice-Chair                                                                                                       
Board of Professional Counselors                                                                                                
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development                                                                      
Eagle River, Alaska                                                                                                             
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 116.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR JAMES KAUFMAN, District F                                                                                               
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 123.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
JOEY CRUM, Chief Executive Officer                                                                                              
Northern Industrial Training                                                                                                    
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Responded to questions about SB 123.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:33:54 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  JESSE  BJORKMAN  called  the  Senate  Labor  and  Commerce                                                             
Standing Committee meeting  to order at 1:33 a.m.  Present at the                                                               
call to  order were Senators  Dunbar, Merrick,  Gray-Jackson (via                                                               
teleconference), Bjorkman, Bishop, and Chair Bjorkman.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
         SB 88-RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:34:52 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration  of SENATE BILL NO. 88                                                               
"An Act  relating to the  Public Employees' Retirement  System of                                                               
Alaska  and the  teachers' retirement  system; providing  certain                                                               
employees an  opportunity to choose  between the  defined benefit                                                               
and  defined   contribution  plans   of  the   Public  Employees'                                                               
Retirement System of Alaska and  the teachers' retirement system;                                                               
and providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:34:56 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  noted that a  motion to adopt  the CS for  SB 88,                                                               
version  R, was  pending  before the  committee.  He removed  his                                                               
objection.  He  found no  further  objection  and version  R  was                                                               
adopted as the working document.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BJORKMAN requested a motion to adopt the proposed                                                                         
amendment.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:35:48 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BISHOP moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 33-                                                                       
LS0505\R.1.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                33-LS0505\R.1                                                                   
                                                       Klein                                                                    
                                                     4/26/23                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                          AMENDMENT 1                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                      
         TO:  CSSB 88(   ), Draft Version "R"                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 27, through page 4, line 4:                                                                                   
        Delete all material and insert:                                                                                         
              "(4)  before the date of reemployment,                                                                            
                   (A)  has not received a distribution of                                                                      
          the  entire balance  in  the teacher's  individual                                                                    
          account under the  defined contribution retirement                                                                    
          plan under AS 14.25.310 - 14.25.590; or                                                                               
                   (B)       has    received   a    rollover                                                                    
          distribution   of  the   entire  balance   in  the                                                                    
          teacher's  individual account  in  the plan  under                                                                    
          AS 14.25.310 -  14.25.590 and has within  120 days                                                                    
          of  reemployment  had  all or  part  of  a  direct                                                                    
          rollover distribution from  an eligible retirement                                                                    
          plan owned  by the teacher paid  directly into the                                                                    
          teacher's individual account  under AS 14.25.310 -                                                                    
          14.25.590."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 31, line 26, through page 32, line 3:                                                                                 
        Delete all material and insert:                                                                                         
              "(4)  before the date of reemployment,                                                                            
                   (A)  has not received a distribution of                                                                      
          the  entire balance  in the  employee's individual                                                                    
          account under the  defined contribution retirement                                                                    
          plan established in AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990; or                                                                      
                   (B)       has    received   a    rollover                                                                    
          distribution   of  the   entire  balance   in  the                                                                    
          member's   individual  account   in  the   defined                                                                    
          contribution  retirement plan  and has  within 120                                                                    
          days of reemployment  had all or part  of a direct                                                                    
          rollover distribution from  an eligible retirement                                                                    
          plan owned  by the  member paid directly  into the                                                                    
          member's individual account."                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR BISHOP explained Amendment 1.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  BJORKMAN  removed  his  objection.  He  found  no  further                                                               
objection and Amendment 1 was adopted.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:37:37 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR thanked Senator Giessel  and others for their work                                                               
on the legislation.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:38:34 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN sought the will of committee.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:38:36 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BISHOP moved  to report CSSB 88,  work order 33-LS0505\R,                                                               
as amended,  from committee  with individual  recommendations and                                                               
attached fiscal note(s).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BJORKMAN found  no objection and CSSB  88(L&C) was reported                                                               
from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:39:09 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
        SB 116-RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:41:35 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN   reconvened  the   meeting  and   announced  the                                                               
consideration  of SENATE  BILL NO.  116 "An  Act relating  to the                                                               
Board  of  Professional  Counselors;  relating  to  licensing  of                                                               
associate counselors; and providing for an effective date."                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
He  invited Senator  Giessel to  put  herself on  the record  and                                                               
introduce the bill.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:43:02 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  CATHY GIESSEL,  District  E,  Alaska State  Legislature,                                                               
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor  of SB 116, stated  that this legislation                                                               
creates a new license type and summarized the following sponsor                                                                 
statement:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        Senate Bill 116                                                                                       
                                                                                                                              
             Associate and Professional Counselors                                                                            
 "An Act relating to the Board of Professional Counselors; and                                                                  
        relating to licensing of associate counselors."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                       SPONSOR STATEMENT                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Senate Bill  116 allows qualified candidates  to obtain                                                                    
     licensure  as   Associate  Counselors  and   creates  a                                                                    
     pathway   towards   full  accreditation   as   Licensed                                                                    
     Professional Counselors  in Alaska. Currently  over 65%                                                                    
     of  states  offer  a   pre-licensing  process  that  is                                                                    
     overseen by  its professional  state board.  Creating a                                                                    
     tiered  system will  help  align  Alaska with  national                                                                    
     standards  for professional  counselor licensure  while                                                                    
     creating  a   more  structured  process   for  licensee                                                                    
     applicants while  they complete  the required  exam and                                                                    
     supervised experience.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     This  tiered   licensure  system  would   identify  and                                                                    
     address  any  gaps  in  training  or  experience  while                                                                    
     ensuring  that counselors  are providing  services that                                                                    
     are ethical and effective.  It would attract and retain                                                                    
     talented  professionals  to   the  state  by  providing                                                                    
     opportunities for  career advancement  and professional                                                                    
     development.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Ensuring  Associate  Counselors   have  met  a  minimum                                                                    
     standard  of  training  and  experience  would  bolster                                                                    
     public confidence in  the counseling profession, reduce                                                                    
     the  stigma around  mental health,  and encourage  more                                                                    
     Alaskans  to seek  help when  they  need it.  Providing                                                                    
     guidance   and  support   for  those   working  towards                                                                    
     licensure  will   improve  the  quality  of   care  for                                                                    
     patients, particularly  in rural or remote  areas where                                                                    
     access to mental health services may be limited.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     I  urge  my  colleagues  of  the  33rd  Legislature  to                                                                    
     support Senate Bill 116 to  streamline the steps toward                                                                    
     obtaining full licensure  for Associate Counselors, and                                                                    
     in  turn,  help  Alaskans   obtain  the  mental  health                                                                    
     services they are seeking.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:45:58 PM                                                                                                                    
JANE CONWAY, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State                                                                         
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis                                                                   
for SB 116. She summarized the following sectional analysis:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        Senate Bill 116                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
 "An Act relating to the Board of Professional Counselors; and                                                                  
        relating to licensing of associate counselors."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                       SECTIONAL ANALYSIS                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Section 1. (Page 1) Amends AS 08.02.110                                                                                
     Professional designation requirements                                                                                  
     (a)  to  include  Associate   Counselors  in  the  same                                                                    
     chapter as  other professions and requires  them to use                                                                    
     appropriate   professional   title   designation   that                                                                    
     represents their field of practice                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Section 2. (Page 2) Amends AS 08.29.020                                                                                
     Duties of the Board                                                                                                    
     (a) to  include Associate Counselors to  be licensed by                                                                    
     the Board of Professional Counselors.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Section 3. (Page 2) Amends AS 08.29.100                                                                                
     Unlicensed use of title prohibited                                                                                     
     (a)to  prohibit  those   without  licenses  to  declare                                                                    
     themselves an  Associate Counselors, use  language that                                                                    
     may   be  confused   with  the   title  of   "Associate                                                                    
     Counselor."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Section 4. (Page 3) Amends AS 08.29.110                                                                                
     Qualifications for Licensure                                                                                           
     (a)  to   establish  that  the  board   shall  issue  a                                                                    
     professional  counselor license  if  the applicant  has                                                                    
     successfully completed  an associate  counselor program                                                                    
     authorized   by  the   board   and   meets  all   other                                                                    
     requirements  of the  board, including  the supervision                                                                    
     of  a  supervisor  approved under  regulations  of  the                                                                    
     board. Furthermore, at least  100 hours of face-to-face                                                                    
     supervision are required.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Section 5. (Page 4)                                                                                                    
     Amends AS 08.29.120 Licensure by credentials                                                                           
      (a) to  establish that the  board may issue  a license                                                                    
     for professional or associate  counselor to practice if                                                                    
     they are  licensed in another  jurisdiction and  if the                                                                    
     board  finds the  other jurisdiction  has  an equal  or                                                                    
     higher licensure requirement as those in this state.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Section 6. (Page 4) Amends AS 08.29.220                                                                                
     Disclosure Statement                                                                                                   
     Requires   an   Associate   Counselor  to   furnish   a                                                                    
     disclosure   statement  including   the  name,   title,                                                                    
     business  address  and  business  telephone  number  to                                                                    
     clients  before  providing   services.  The  disclosure                                                                    
     statement  must   include  the   Associate  Counselor's                                                                    
     educational   description,  areas   of  specialization,                                                                    
     services available, and fee schedule  listed by type of                                                                    
     service or hourly  rate. It also must  include that the                                                                    
     information  provided  is  required  by  the  Board  of                                                                    
     Professional    Counselors   which    regulates   their                                                                    
     activities.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Section  7.  (Page  5)  Amends  08.29.400  Grounds  for                                                                
     denial of license or for disciplinary sanctions                                                                        
     (a)  to  include  that   Associate  Counselors  may  be                                                                    
     subject to disciplinary sanctions  imposed by the Board                                                                    
     of Professional Counselors if  they are incompetent, or                                                                    
     have  committed  misconduct, fraud,  misrepresentation,                                                                    
     or dishonesty in the functions  of a licensed Associate                                                                    
     Counselor.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     A  licensed  Associate  Counselor is  also  subject  to                                                                    
     disciplinary  sanctions if  they assist  another person                                                                    
     who is  not licensed under  this chapter in  an attempt                                                                    
     to represent  the person  to the  public as  a licensed                                                                    
     Associate Counselor.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Section 8. (Page 6) Repeals 08.29.210                                                                                  
     Supervisor certification                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Section 9. (Page 6)                                                                                                    
     Creates  transitional language  to allow  the board  to                                                                    
     promulgate and adopt regulations.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Section 10. (Page  6) Allows Section 9  to be conducted                                                                
     immediately.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
      Section 11. (Page 6) Provides for overall effective                                                                   
     date of the bill to be July 1, 2025.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:49:29 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR asked why the effective  date is set so far in the                                                               
future.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CONWAY replied  that  it takes  a minimum  of  six to  eight                                                               
months to set up regulations                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GIESSEL  added that  a regulation  package takes  about a                                                               
year to process and complete.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:50:49 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced invited testifier Rachel Buddin-Young.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:51:02 PM                                                                                                                    
RACHEL   BUDDIN-YOUNG,  Board   Member,  Board   of  Professional                                                               
Counselors,  Department  of   Commerce,  Community  and  Economic                                                               
Development (DCCED), Anchorage,  Alaska, delivered a presentation                                                               
on SB  116 titled "Associate  Counselor License House Bill  126 &                                                               
Senate Bill 116."                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MS. BUDDIN-YOUNG spoke to points on slide 2, "National Trends":                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        National Trends                                                                                       
                                                                                                                              
      More states are regulating the process for becoming                                                                       
      fully licensed through a transparent "pre-licensing"                                                                      
         status. Titles may include associate, trainee,                                                                         
             provisional, intern, and conditional.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS. BUDDIN-YOUNG spoke to points  on slide 3, "Pre-Licensure is a                                                               
Beneficial Trend":                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
              Pre-Licensure is a Beneficial Trend                                                                             
                                                                                                                              
     Practicing professional counseling under a license is                                                                      
     good for Alaska because:                                                                                                   
     Ensures    professional   trained    and   supervised                                                                      
        counselors are assisting the needs of Alaska                                                                            
        residents.                                                                                                              
       Creates standard of practice for the state.                                                                              
       Maintains national standards.                                                                                            
        Provides  guidance   and   accountability  for   new                                                                    
        counselors.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:54:22 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. BUDDIN-YOUNG spoke to points on slide 4, "Titles by State":                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        Titles by State                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Alaska Has Chosen The Title Associate Counselor                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Provisional    Licensed   Professional    Counselor                                                                        
     Colorado, Missouri, Puerto Rico, Wyoming                                                                                   
     Licensed  Clinical  Professional   Counselor  Intern                                                                       
     Nevada, Texas                                                                                                              
     Licensed Professional  Counselor Associate    Kentucky,                                                                    
     North Carolina                                                                                                             
     Licensed  Associate  Counselor      New  Jersey,  North                                                                    
     Dakota                                                                                                                     
     Associate  Licensed   Counselor      Alabama,  Arizona,                                                                    
     Arkansas                                                                                                                   
     Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor  Maryland                                                                         
     Limited Licensed Professional Counselor   Michigan                                                                         
     Licensed Professional Counselor Trainee   Wisconsin                                                                        
     Licensed Mental Health Counselor Intern - Florida                                                                          
     Associate Professional Counselor  Georgia                                                                                  
     Conditional LPC  Maine                                                                                                     
     Counselor Intern  Louisiana, South Carolina                                                                                
     Clinical Counselor Intern- California                                                                                      
     Clinical Resident  Ohio                                                                                                    
     Registered Intern - Oregon                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:54:43 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. BUDDIN-YOUNG spoke to points on slide 5, "Associate                                                                         
Counselor License Requirements":                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
            Associate Counselor License Requirements                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     All documents must be submitted  for approval to become                                                                    
     an Associate Counselor:                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Supporting Mental Health in Alaska                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
        Two letters of recommendation from professional                                                                         
        counselors                                                                                                              
       Must be at least 18 years old                                                                                            
       Is not under investigation in any jurisdiction                                                                           
      No previous license suspended, revoked, surrendered                                                                       
        in lieu of discipline                                                                                                   
       Completed all education requirements                                                                                     
       Doctoral   degree   in   counseling   or   related                                                                       
          professional field                                                                                                    
       Masters   degree   in    counseling   or   related                                                                       
          professional field                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:55:29 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. BUDDING-YOUNG spoke to points on slide 6, "Streamline                                                                       
Process":                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                       Streamline Process                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Support & Guidance To Complete Licensure                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Once the following has been completed,                                                                                     
     the Associate Counselor may apply for a full                                                                               
     Professional Counselor License:                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
       Pass the NCE or NCMHCE and submit scores                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
       3,000 hours of supervised experience                                                                                     
          o 1,000 hours of these must be direct counseling                                                                      
          o 100 hours face-to-face supervision by approved                                                                      
             supervisor                                                                                                         
          o Submit letter of reference from approved                                                                            
             supervisor and documentation of hours                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:56:10 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. BUDDING-YOUNG spoke to points on slide 7, "Benefits for                                                                     
Alaska":                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                      Benefits for Alaska                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
       Professional Streamlined Process                                                                                         
       Clear Guidelines                                                                                                         
       Regular Reporting Measures                                                                                               
         Support with Supervisor Changes (important for                                                                         
        Military)                                                                                                               
       State Recognized Level of Care                                                                                           
       Enhanced Professionalism                                                                                                 
       Maintaining National Standards                                                                                           
       Better Care for All Alaskans                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:57:48 PM                                                                                                                    
JOSHUA  ARVIDSON,  Chief  Operating  Officer,  Alaska  Behavioral                                                               
Health, Anchorage,  Alaska, offered invited testimony  in support                                                               
of  SB  116.  He  described  his  professional  experience  as  a                                                               
licensed clinical  social worker.  He emphasized the  training of                                                               
clinicians  in the  post-master  phase of  their  career who  are                                                               
working toward a terminal LPC license.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
He said evidenced-based treatments  are critical because they are                                                               
the gold standard  in the field. These  treatments are originally                                                               
designed for  childhood trauma.  Alaska Behavioral  Health trains                                                               
providers  on  trauma-focused  cognitive  behavioral  therapy,  a                                                               
frontline  intervention  for   children  who  experience  trauma.                                                               
Clinicians can  complete the requirements  to be  credentialed as                                                               
trauma-focused CBT therapists within a year.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:59:52 PM                                                                                                                    
JOSHUA ARVIDSON  stated that those who  are on track to  become a                                                               
licensed professional  counselor (LPC)  are not able  to complete                                                               
that process. This creates an  issue because most of the services                                                               
they  provide are  masters level  therapy  services. Social  work                                                               
track  clinicians can  obtain  their LMSW  and  gain training  on                                                               
evidence-based  treatments earlier  than  clinicians  on the  LPC                                                               
track. He noted that this  is a workforce development barrier and                                                               
creates concerns from a patient perspective.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Trauma-focused  CBT clinicians  in Alaska  cannot be  found on  a                                                               
national  registry   because  they  are  not   accountable  to  a                                                               
licensing board; they  are stuck in No Man's  Land. He reiterated                                                               
support for SB 116.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:03:14 PM                                                                                                                    
DORENE   HAGEN,   Chair,   Board  of   Professional   Counselors,                                                               
Department  of  Commerce,   Community  and  Economic  Development                                                               
(DCCED), Homer,  Alaska, offered invited testimony  in support of                                                               
SB 116. She  described her experience as  a licensed professional                                                               
counselor. She  said she was  speaking from the perspective  of a                                                               
board-approved  supervisor. She  referred  to the  No Man's  Land                                                               
analogy, saying  that she  likes this  description because  it is                                                               
relatable.  She values  a  structured  pathway toward  licensure,                                                               
believing it  offers clear direction and  promotes best practices                                                               
for the benefit of clients.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:05:54 PM                                                                                                                    
She spoke to  the portability piece of the  legislation. She said                                                               
she knows  counselors in  the Lower  48 who  would have  liked to                                                               
practice in  Alaska but could  not because they had  not finished                                                               
their training hours.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:06:53 PM                                                                                                                    
ELAINE  BORDER, Clinical  Director and  Owner, Border  Counseling                                                               
Services  and Board  Member for  Akeela, Anchorage,  Alaska, gave                                                               
invited testimony in  support of SB 116. She said  that she is an                                                               
LPC and  LPCS and spoke  to her counseling practice  services and                                                               
experience in the field. She  experienced first-hand the No Man's                                                               
Land period of  time on her licensure track.  She highlighted the                                                               
importance  of  accountability   provided  by  this  legislation.                                                               
Currently  someone  can  start  a  practice  and  treat  patients                                                               
unsupervised  and  without  recommended training  for  behavioral                                                               
health professionals.  This lends to a  worrisome environment for                                                               
the world of mental health  and private practice. Blue Cross Blue                                                               
Shield health insurance agency will  not pay for services without                                                               
appropriate  licensing.  Aetna  health insurance  agency  credits                                                               
those in the master-level phase  of their careers, but Blue Cross                                                               
Blue  Shield services  70 percent  of Border  Counseling Services                                                               
client base.  She posited that  SB 116  will open up  the ability                                                               
for new masters to train in their chosen modality.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:12:39 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 116.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:13:29 PM                                                                                                                    
KIRA  LATHROP,  representing  self,  Behavioral  Health  Clinical                                                               
Therapist, Dahl  Memorial Clinic,  Skagway, Alaska,  testified in                                                               
support of SB  116. She stated that  behavioral health clinicians                                                               
need  supervision and  accountability.  She  shared an  anecdotal                                                               
story  to  illustrate  the  need   for  tightening  of  licensing                                                               
credentials  and  outpatient  services expansion.  She  said  the                                                               
Board  of  Professional  Counselors   was  unable  to  offer  her                                                               
direction and that SB 116 would  close the No Man's Land gap. She                                                               
concluded  that  although there  is  a  mental health  crisis  in                                                               
Alaska, qualified  individuals are needed, and  monitoring should                                                               
occur.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:15:28 PM                                                                                                                    
MARYBETH   GOODMAN,   representing   self,   Anchorage,   Alaska,                                                               
testified  in support  of  SB 116.  She stated  that  she is  the                                                               
director of  the Cohen  Clinic at  Alaska Behavioral  Health. She                                                               
read  from  Section 5  (a)  of  the  bill.  She warned  that  the                                                               
Counseling  Compact  is going  to  target  Alaska. She  said  she                                                               
advocates for state rights and  stated her belief that Alaska can                                                               
regulate licenses  on its  own. Currently  it is  challenging for                                                               
professionals  licensed in  other states  to have  reciprocity in                                                               
Alaska. Alaskans currently are forced  to outsource mental health                                                               
care due  to the barriers that  will continue should SB  116 fail                                                               
to   pass.  She   suggested  the   consideration  of   education,                                                               
experience, finances,  and expediency regarding  licensing mental                                                               
health counselors.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:18:54 PM                                                                                                                    
SAMMIE  O'NEIL,  Vice-Chair,  Board of  Professional  Counselors,                                                               
Department  of  Commerce,   Community  and  Economic  Development                                                               
(DCCED), Eagle River, Alaska, testified  in support of SB 116. He                                                               
stated  that  he is  an  LPC  and  owns  a private  practice.  He                                                               
expressed his  hope that  this bill will  help the  industry move                                                               
forward. He  relayed a  story about  the importance  of educating                                                               
new  professionals in  the  field,  to avoid  the  risks of  ill-                                                               
prepared  counselors  practicing  and  diagnosing  mental  health                                                               
patients.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:22:25 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN  closed  public  testimony and  held  SB  116  in                                                               
committee.                                                                                                                      
2:22:48 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
        SB 123-RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:24:27 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN   reconvened  the   meeting  and   announced  the                                                               
consideration  of  SENATE  BILL  NO.  123  "An  Act  relating  to                                                               
commercial  motor  vehicle  drivers'  license  requirements;  and                                                               
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
He invited Senator Kaufman to put  himself on the record and give                                                               
a recap of the bill.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:24:44 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  JAMES KAUFMAN,  District  F,  Alaska State  Legislature,                                                               
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 123,  provided a recap of the bill.                                                               
He said that  essentially this bill removes  the requirement that                                                               
someone hold a  license for a year before being  able to train as                                                               
a  professional  truck  driver  through  an  approved  CDL  truck                                                               
driving course.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:25:22 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BISHOP asked  Mr. Crum if an 18-year-old can  drive a set                                                               
of B  trains hauling 166,000 pounds  of ore on a  federal highway                                                               
with the passage of SB 123.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:26:07 PM                                                                                                                    
JOEY   CRUM,  Chief   Executive   Officer,  Northern   Industrial                                                               
Training, Palmer,  Alaska, responded  to questions about  SB 123.                                                               
He answered no. Even though a CDL  can be obtained at age 18, one                                                               
cannot participate in interstate commerce until the age of 21.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR BISHOP said thank you. He  read from Section 6 and stated                                                               
that he believed his question had been answered.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:27:37 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN opened  public testimony  on SB  123; finding  no                                                               
testifiers, he closed public testimony.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:28:21 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  DUNBAR  moved  to  adopt Amendment  1,  work  order  33-                                                               
LS0723\A.2, for SB 123.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                 33-LS0721\A.2                                                                  
                                                      Radford                                                                   
                                                      4/15/23                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                          AMENDMENT 1                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                     OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                      
          TO:  SB 123                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 6:                                                                                                            
          Delete "January 20, 2024"                                                                                             
          Insert "immediately under AS 01.10.070(c)"                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DUNBAR explained Amendment 1.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  BJORKMAN  removed  his  objection.  He  found  no  further                                                               
objection and Amendment 1 was adopted.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:29:43 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR  added his belief that  SB 123 is a  positive step                                                               
forward  and   thanked  Senator   Kaufman  and  his   allies  for                                                               
introducing the bill.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:30:09 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BISHOP  moved to report  SB 123, work  order 33-LS0721\A,                                                               
as amended,  from committee  with individual  recommendations and                                                               
attached fiscal note(s).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection  and CSSB 123(L&C) was reported                                                               
from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:30:45 PM                                                                                                                    
There being  no further  business to  come before  the committee,                                                               
Chair Bjorkman  adjourned the Senate Labor  and Commerce Standing                                                               
Committee meeting at 2:30 p.m.                                                                                                  

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SB 88 News Article-Education News_Wisconsin teacher retention 04.26.23.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 88
SB 88 Opposing Testimony-Email_Tom Boutin 04.26.23.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 88
SB 88 White Paper-Effects of a Transition to DC Retirement Plan on Teacher Separations in AK.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 88
SB 88 Draft Proposed Amendment R.1.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 88
SB 88 Presentation by LegFin to SFIN on 03.03.23_referenced by Ryan Frost with Reason Foundation.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 88
SB 88 Letters of Support-Received as of 3.20-29.23.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 88
SB 123 Draft Proposed Amendment A.2.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 123
SB 116 Fiscal Note-DCCED-CBPL 04.21.23.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 116
SB 116 Sectional Analysis 04.17.23.pdf SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM
SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 116
SB 116 Presentation to SL&C 04.27.23.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 116
SB 116 Sponsor Statement 04.17.23.pdf SFIN 3/13/2024 9:00:00 AM
SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 116
SB 116 Support Letters received as of 04.17.23.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 116
SB 116 ver U.pdf SL&C 4/28/2023 1:30:00 PM
SB 116