04/09/2013 05:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB175 | |
| HB168 | |
| HB50 | |
| HB125 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 175 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 168 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 50 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 9, 2013
5:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Dunleavy, Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice Chair
Senator Donald Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Bert Stedman
Senator Johnny Ellis
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 175(L&C)
"An Act allowing, under certain conditions, a property or
casualty insurer to provide policies and endorsements to an
insured by posting the policies and endorsements on the
insurer's Internet website."
- MOVED CSHB 175(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 168(L&C)
"An Act amending the definition of travel insurance for the
purpose of describing a person eligible for a travel insurance
limited producer license; and authorizing a person selling
travel services to transact the business of travel insurance on
behalf of and under the direction of a person licensed as a
travel insurance limited producer."
- MOVED CSHB 168(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 50(FIN)
"An Act authorizing the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to
allow certain commercial uses in a multi-unit residential
housing development owned or financed by the corporation and
limiting the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board's issuance of
certain licenses to premises in the residential housing
development."
- HEARD & HELD
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 125(L&C) AM
"An Act prohibiting a health care insurer from denying coverage
for an additional limited quantity of prescription topical eye
medication under certain circumstances."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 79
"An Act establishing the Sport Fishing Guide Services Board and
licensing requirements for sport fishing guide-outfitters, sport
fishing outfitters, sport fishing assistant guides, and sport
fishing transporters; making conforming amendments; allowing the
Department of Fish and Game to collect information on guiding
services; providing for an effective date by repealing the
effective date of sec. 32, ch. 58, SLA 2010; and providing for
an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 175
SHORT TITLE: ELECTRONIC POSTING OF INSURANCE POLICIES
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
03/18/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/18/13 (H) L&C
03/27/13 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/27/13 (H) Moved CSHB 175(L&C) Out of Committee
03/27/13 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/28/13 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) 4DP 3NR
03/28/13 (H) DP: SADDLER, MILLETT, JOSEPHSON, OLSON
03/28/13 (H) NR: CHENAULT, HERRON, REINBOLD
04/03/13 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/03/13 (H) VERSION: CSHB 175(L&C)
04/04/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/04/13 (S) L&C
04/06/13 (S) L&C AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/06/13 (S) Heard & Held
04/06/13 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/09/13 (S) L&C AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 168
SHORT TITLE: TRAVEL INSURANCE
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
03/15/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/15/13 (H) L&C
03/25/13 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/25/13 (H) Moved CSHB 168(L&C) Out of Committee
03/25/13 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/26/13 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) 4DP 2NR
03/26/13 (H) DP: REINBOLD, SADDLER, JOSEPHSON, OLSON
03/26/13 (H) NR: CHENAULT, HERRON
04/04/13 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/04/13 (H) VERSION: CSHB 168(L&C)
04/05/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/05/13 (S) L&C
04/06/13 (S) L&C AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/06/13 (S) Heard & Held
04/06/13 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/09/13 (S) L&C AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 50
SHORT TITLE: MULTI-UNIT HOUSING: COMMERCIAL USE
SPONSOR(s): COSTELLO
01/16/13 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/11/13
01/16/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/13 (H) L&C, FIN
02/18/13 (H) BILL REPRINTED 2/18/13
02/27/13 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
02/27/13 (H) Moved Out of Committee
02/27/13 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/01/13 (H) L&C RPT 3DP 1AM
03/01/13 (H) DP: HERRON, JOSEPHSON, REINBOLD
03/01/13 (H) AM: SADDLER
03/14/13 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/14/13 (H) Moved CSHB 50(FIN) Out of Committee
03/14/13 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
03/15/13 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) 9DP 1NR 1AM
03/15/13 (H) DP: MUNOZ, EDGMON, GARA, HOLMES,
THOMPSON, NEUMAN, COSTELLO, STOLTZE,
03/15/13 (H) AUSTERMAN
03/15/13 (H) NR: T.WILSON
03/15/13 (H) AM: KAWASAKI
03/20/13 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/20/13 (H) VERSION: CSHB 50(FIN)
03/21/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/13 (S) L&C, FIN
03/28/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/28/13 (S) -- Meeting Postponed until 4/1/13 4:30
p.m. --
04/01/13 (S) L&C AT 4:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/01/13 (S) -- Rescheduled from 3/28/13 --
04/02/13 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/02/13 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/03/13 (S) L&C AT 5:00 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/03/13 (S) Scheduled But Not Heard
04/09/13 (S) L&C AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 125
SHORT TITLE: TOPICAL EYE MEDS PRESCRIPTION REFILLS
SPONSOR(s): HOLMES
02/18/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/13 (H) L&C
03/27/13 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/27/13 (H) Heard & Held
03/27/13 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/01/13 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/01/13 (H) Moved CSHB 125(L&C) Out of Committee
04/01/13 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/02/13 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) 3DP 1NR
04/02/13 (H) DP: HERRON, SADDLER, OLSON
04/02/13 (H) NR: REINBOLD
04/05/13 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/05/13 (H) VERSION: CSHB 125(L&C) AM
04/06/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/06/13 (S) L&C
04/09/13 (S) L&C AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff
Representative Kurt Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 175 on behalf of the sponsor.
BRET KOLB, Director
Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered to answer questions related to HB
175.
ANNA LATHAM, Staff
Representative Kurt Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 168 on behalf of the sponsor.
JOSHUA WALTON, Staff
Representative Mia Costello
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information related to HB 50 on
behalf of the sponsor.
STACY SHUBERT, Director
Governmental Relations and Public Affairs
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 50.
CHRISTOPHER SCHULTE, Executive Director
Anchorage Downtown Partnership
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 50.
REPRESENTATIVE LINDSEY HOLMES
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 125.
ACTION NARRATIVE
5:30:26 PM
CHAIR MIKE DUNLEAVY called the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Olson, Micciche, and Chair Dunleavy.
HB 175-ELECTRONIC POSTING OF INSURANCE POLICIES
5:31:13 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of HB 175. "An Act
allowing, under certain conditions, a property or casualty
insurer to provide policies and endorsements to an insured by
posting the policies and endorsements on the insurer's Internet
website." [CSHB 175 L&C was before the committee.] He noted that
this was the second hearing.
5:31:46 PM
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Representative Kurt Olson, sponsor of HB
175, summarized that the bill would permit insurers to
electronically post property and casualty insurance policies and
endorsements.
5:32:25 PM
BRET KOLB, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), introduced
himself and offered to answer questions.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY found no public testimony and closed it.
SENATOR MICCICHE commented that the bill is in keeping with the
trend of doing business online. He noted that the bill was
introduced with a detailed explanation at the previous hearing.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY found no further questions or comments and asked
the will of the committee.
5:33:14 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report CSHB 175(L&C), 28-LS0327\P,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection, CSHB 175(L&C)
moved from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
5:33:37 PM
At ease
HB 168-TRAVEL INSURANCE
5:34:35 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HB 168. "An Act amending the definition of
travel insurance for the purpose of describing a person eligible
for a travel insurance limited producer license; and authorizing
a person selling travel services to transact the business of
travel insurance on behalf of and under the direction of a
person licensed as a travel insurance limited producer." He
noted this was the second hearing and that CSHB 168(L&C) was
before the committee.
5:34:56 PM
ANNA LATHAM, Staff, Representative Kurt Olson, provided a
summary of HB 168, which is based on model National Council of
Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) legislation. The bill redefines
travel insurance and allows limited travel insurance products to
be sold by travel insurance agents under a producer's license.
SENATOR MICCICHE pointed out that background information was
provided to the committee during the introductory hearing.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY found no public testimony and he closed it.
Finding no further questions or comments, he asked the will of
the committee.
5:36:24 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report CSHB 168, 28-LS0562\O, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s).
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection CSHB 168(L&C)
moved from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
5:36:42 PM
At ease
HB 50-MULTI-UNIT HOUSING: COMMERCIAL USE
5:37:56 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of HB 50. "An Act
authorizing the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to allow
certain commercial uses in a multi-unit residential housing
development owned or financed by the corporation and limiting
the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board's issuance of certain
licenses to premises in the residential housing development." He
noted that CSHB 50(FIN) was before the committee.
5:38:29 PM
JOSHUA WALTON, Staff, Representative Mia Costello, sponsor of HB
50, introduced the bill on behalf of the sponsor. He explained
that HB 50 allows the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
to authorize certain commercial enterprises in multi-unit
residential housing developments that it owns or leases. This is
in line with a national trend to develop more diverse and
vibrant neighborhoods. Giving AHFC this power will allow more
efficient use of land and help AHFC to contribute to the growth
of residences and housing properties and to increase commercial
leasing space. This will benefit families and small businesses,
in particular.
The bill specifically excludes certain types of businesses such
as adult entertainment; the sale of alcoholic beverages, unless
it occurs with a restaurant; substance abuse treatment programs;
and businesses that primarily sell tobacco and cigarette
products, although incidental sales of tobacco at a supermarket
would be allowed. He offered to answer questions and noted that
Ms. Shubert from AHFC was available to speak to the bill.
5:40:40 PM
STACY SHUBERT, Director, Governmental Relations and Public
Affairs, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), introduced
herself.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY summarized that the idea is to offset the cost of
housing by expanding AHFC's authority to rent or lease property
for combined uses.
MS. SHUBERT said that is correct.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if the concept of an open flame in a
restaurant would present a problem if residential units were in
the same building.
MS. SHUBERT said the AHFC board wouldn't approve a loan if it
felt the tenants would be at risk.
SENATOR OLSON discussed finite resources and asked how this
would affect multi-unit housing.
MS. SHUBERT said that AHFC feels that financing projects of this
type are beneficial to developers, to financial institutions
that might offer loans and sell them to AHFC, and to AHFC's
portfolio. In particular, this will save money for developers
because revenues from the commercial space could help offset the
costs of the residential space.
SENATOR OLSON asked how this would affect the dividend that AHFC
pays the State of Alaska which goes into the general fund.
MS. SHUBERT explained that AHFC is finding it more difficult to
compete with interest rates in the home mortgage market and sees
this as an opportunity to help increase revenues in its
portfolio. Responding to skepticism from Senator Olson, she
pointed out that AHFC's mission is to provide more housing for
more Alaskans, and this helps achieve that goal. AHFC is proud
of its track record of paying almost $2 billion in dividends to
the state, and desires to continue.
SENATOR OLSON relayed that the members of the Finance Committee
appreciate AHFC and its leadership over a number of years.
5:44:32 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked the definition of "commercial" and
questioned whether the bill should also address municipal
zoning.
MS. SHUBERT said AHFC prefers to leave local zoning decisions up
to the communities. She reiterated that AHFC will look at each
project independently consistent with the local land use rules
and regulations.
SENATOR MICCICHE summarized that AHFC would use the local
definition of commercial or limited commercial.
MS. SHUBERT said yes.
5:45:50 PM
CHRISTOPHER SCHULTE, Executive Director, Anchorage Downtown
Partnership (ADP), reported that he also served on the project
management team for the 2007 Anchorage Downtown Comprehensive
Plan, and currently serves on the kitchen cabinet of Mayor Dan
Sullivan's Homeless Leadership Team. He described AHFC as a
vital partner in development of large-scale housing statewide.
It will allow AHFC to finance or permit commercial enterprises
in a multi-unit residential housing development in a beneficial
manner. This is a sound community planning principle that will
result in better uses of scarce land. Additionally, this
legislation will provide an opportunity for AHFC to generate
additional revenue and provide the corporation additional
resources to use in addressing Alaska's growing housing
shortage. Developers will find it easier to build affordable
housing projects throughout the state by using income from
commercial space to offset rent reductions in the housing units.
MR. SCHULTE said APD also supports the limits that prohibit
certain commercial uses and the flexibility to allow a business
enterprise such as a restaurant that is licensed by the
Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. The bill empowers AHFC
to play a more active role in development projects that conform
to local planning policies and guidelines. He described how this
legislation would help multi-unit residential housing
development in Anchorage.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted that public testimony was open.
5:49:40 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if there was precedence for a housing
authority lending or leasing for mixed use, and if this would
increase liability for AHFC.
MS. SHUBERT said she wasn't aware of any other housing authority
that offers this, but there is a nationwide trend to provide
this kind of mixed use development.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if AHFC would need additional liability
protections with mixed use.
MS. SHUBERT said AHFC is comfortable with the language as
drafted and the review that the AHFC Board does with all loans
that come into the portfolio. She noted that the multi-family
loan portfolio has traditionally performed very well.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY observed that multiple use doesn't necessarily
increase insurance issues.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY stated that he would hold HB 50 in committee and
keep public testimony open.
5:51:56 PM
At ease
HB 125-TOPICAL EYE MEDS PRESCRIPTION REFILLS
5:52:44 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of HB 125. "An Act
prohibiting a health care insurer from denying coverage for an
additional limited quantity of prescription topical eye
medication under certain circumstances." [CSHB 125(L&C) AM was
before the committee.]
REPRESENTATIVE LINDSEY HOLMES, sponsor of HB 125, stated that
this bill is a consumer protection bill that came at the impetus
of people who are suffering from glaucoma. It allows people to
refill a little early those prescription eye medications that
are covered by insurance. The bill includes precautions. It does
not allow a refill beyond the number of refills prescribed by
the doctor and it only allows refills a couple of days early.
She said the bill has support from both ophthalmologists and
optometrists and it has amendments that were incorporated on
behalf of the insurance companies.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY found no questions or public testimony.
5:54:48 PM
At ease
5:54:55 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting and stated that he would
hold HB 125 in committee and keep public testimony open.
5:55:18 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Dunleavy adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 5:55 p.m.
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