03/07/2019 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| Overview: Licensure in Alaska | |
| Overview: Department of Defense-state Liaison Office | |
| SB11 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 7, 2019
1:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lora Reinbold, Chair
Senator Mia Costello, Vice Chair
Senator Chris Birch
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Click Bishop
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Direct Entry Midwives
Dana Espindola - Eagle River
CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Nursing
Wendy Monrad - Anchorage
Danette Schloeder - Anchorage
Julie Tisdale - Anchorage
CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
OVERVIEW: LICENSURE IN ALASKA
- HEARD
OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-STATE LIAISON OFFICE
- HEARD
SENATE BILL NO. 11
"An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for certain
nonresident professionals; and relating to the Department of
Commerce, Community, and Economic Development."
-HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 11
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KAWASAKI
01/16/19 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/19
01/16/19 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/19 (S) L&C, FIN
03/07/19 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
DANA ESPINDOLA, M.D., Appointee
Board of Certified Direct Entry Midwives
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Certified Direct Entry Midwives.
WENDY MONRAD, Appointee
Board of Nursing
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Nursing.
DANETTE SCHLOEDER Appointee
Board of Nursing
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Nursing.
JULIE TISDALE Appointee
Board of Nursing
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Nursing.
SARA CHAMBERS, Deputy Director
Juneau Office
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint on Licensure in
Alaska.
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Regional Liaison
Department of Defense, Military & Family Policy
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an overview on the Department of
Defense, State Liaison Office.
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as sponsor of SB 11.
DEBORAH STOVERN, Administrator
State Medical Board
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:33:08 PM
CHAIR LORA REINBOLD called the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Costello, Gray-Jackson, Birch and
Chair Reinbold.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Certified Direct Entry Midwives
Board of Nursing
1:35:08 PM
DANA ESPINDOLA, M.D., Appointee, Board of Certified Direct Entry
Midwives, Eagle River, stated that she is a practicing, board
certified, full skills OBGYN. She received her undergraduate
degree in biology and completed medical school and residency
training at the University of New Mexico. She and her family
relocated to Eagle River four years ago and she is one of four
owners of a longstanding medical clinic. Their provider group
includes seven OBGYNs, four certified nurse midwives, and two
advanced nurse practitioners. She said she has worked in
collaboration with midwives throughout her career and is
passionate about women's healthcare. She feels well suited and
qualified to serve on the Board of Certified Direct Entry
Midwives and help to bring about positive change where it is
needed.
1:37:20 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD asked whether she was comfortable with the
midwifery profession and if she had been well-received in this
community.
DR. ESPINDOLA said she has always worked cooperatively with
midwives, so when she moved to Alaska, she sought a group that
included midwives. Her experience also includes hospital-based
obstetrics care and work with direct entry midwives in
Anchorage. She said her experiences have been positive.
1:38:49 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD opened public testimony and after first
determining no one wished to testify, closed public testimony on
the confirmation hearing for Dr. Espindola.
1:38:58 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD asked her if she had any closing comments.
DR. ESPINDOLA remarked that she was happy to serve.
CHAIR REINBOLD asked Danette Schloeder to tell the committee why
she was interested in serving on the Board of Nursing.
1:40:11 PM
DANETTE SCHLOEDER, Appointee, Board of Nursing, Division of
Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Anchorage, said
she has worked as a registered nurse licensed in Alaska for the
past 24 years. She currently works as a perinatal clinical
specialist at Providence Alaska Medical Center and as part-time
faculty for the University of Providence. She has two
undergraduate degrees in healthcare administration and nursing
plus two graduate degrees in nursing. Her nursing career has
been devoted to caring for women and children. Currently, her
primary role is to plan the care of high-risk obstetric patients
and improve patient care by translating evidence-based practice
into bedside care. She also works to improve safety of nursing
care in complex medical systems. Her teaching experience
includes prehospital and basic obstetrical care and electronic
fetal monitoring in many locations in Alaska. Her current work
is in the development of a care pathway for pregnant women with
opiate use disorder. She speaks about these issues nationally.
She has been involved in the review of nursing licensing exams
and validation requirements for entry-level nurses with the
National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
MS. SCHLOEDER said she would like to serve on the Board of
Nursing because she is passionate about the art and science of
nursing and the safety of Alaska residents. She is drawn to
public service and believes it is an honor to contribute in this
way.
1:43:02 PM
SENATOR BIRCH said her resume is phenomenal and she is eminently
qualified for this position. He noted her previous involvement
with the WWAMI [Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, and
the University of Washington School of Medicine] program. He
asked her to comment on the value it has brought to Alaska.
MS. SCHLOEDER explained that she was in charge of the third-year
medical students doing their obstetrical rotation through the
WAAMI program. She said it was an amazing experience and she was
privileged to work with the many physicians who graduated from
the program and returned to work in Alaska. She offered her
belief that many of these competent physicians probably would
not have returned to Alaska if not for the WWAMI program.
SENATOR BIRCH thanked her for her willingness to serve.
1:45:05 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD said the board would be blessed to have her as
part of the team.
1:46:03 PM
WENDY MONRAD, Appointee, Board of Nursing, Division of
Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Anchorage, said
she is currently employed at the Alaska Native Medical Center as
a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). She has served
as a CRNA for about 19 years and as a registered nurse for about
28 years. In 2002, after serving in the military and traveling
the world, she became an Alaska resident. She will retire from
active duty with the U.S. Public Health Service in September and
stay on as a regular direct-hire employee. In addition to her
nursing experience, she said she developed leadership skills
from her affiliation with governmental agencies and by serving
in the state and national professional associations. She has
served for the last nine years as the co-chief nurse anesthetist
at the Alaska Native Medical Hospital. She said she is honored
to be considered for the position on the Board of Nursing and,
if confirmed, will be committed to act in the best interests of
the people of Alaska. She said her contributions will include
preserving and advancing the practice of nursing into the
future, addressing access to care, and protecting public safety
and health.
1:48:13 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked her for her willingness to serve
and expressed appreciation for her views. She asked whether her
personal views will enter into any decisions she would make if
she is confirmed to serve on this board.
MS. MONRAD, in response to Senator Gray-Jackson's clarification
on whether she would bring her personal views on reproductive
health and abortion, she said she would approach these topics
from the board's position on how it relates to the practice of
nursing.
1:49:13 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON said she respects that everyone has a right
to their personal views. She further clarified her question was,
if confirmed, whether her personal views on any matter will have
any effect on the decisions she makes as a member of the board.
MS. MONRAD answered that she would look at an issue from a legal
perspective and a nursing practice perspective and set aside her
personal views.
CHAIR REINBOLD disclosed that she has known the next appointee
for a long time. She asked Julie Tisdale to tell the committee
about her interest in serving on the Board of Nursing.
1:50:55 PM
JULIE TISDALE, Appointee, Board of Nursing, Division of
Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Anchorage,
clarified that her appointment is as a public member of the
board. She said she was born and raised in Alaska and graduated
from the University of Alaska with a bachelor's degree in
business with an accounting major. For the last 15 years she has
owned her own accounting practice and has been active in the
volunteer community. She said her interest in serving on the
Board of Nursing centers on her high regard for the profession
and her interest in listening to the board's concerns and any
concerns Alaska residents might bring forward.
CHAIR REINBOLD voiced support for Ms. Tisdale and described her
as hardworking, thoughtful, and empathetic.
1:52:46 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD opened public testimony and after determining no
one wished to testify, closed public testimony on the
confirmation hearings for Wendy Monrad, Danette Schloeder, and
Julie Tisdale, appointees to the Board of Nursing.
CHAIR REINBOLD asked for any closing comments from the
appointees.
1:53:22 PM
MS. SCHLOEDER responded that it was her lifetime dream to serve
the nursing profession in Alaska.
MS. MONRAD thanked the committee for its consideration and said
she looked forward to serving the state.
MS. TISDALE thanked the committee for its consideration and said
she looked forward to serving the state.
1:54:28 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee reviewed the
following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a
joint session for consideration:
Direct Entry Midwives
Dr. Dana Espindola, M.D. - Eagle River
Board of Nursing
Wendy Monrad - Anchorage
Danette Schloeder - Anchorage
Julie Tisdale - Anchorage
[Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or
rejection.]
1:55:01 PM
At-ease.
1:57:33 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD reconvened the meeting.
^OVERVIEW: Licensure in Alaska
OVERVIEW: LICENSURE IN ALASKA
1:57:37 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD announced that the next order of business would
be an overview of Licensure in Alaska by Sara Chambers. She made
opening remarks.
1:58:15 PM
SARA CHAMBERS, Deputy Director, Juneau Office, Division of
Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), began a
PowerPoint on licensure in Alaska, titled "The Professional
Licensing Process." She reviewed the division's "revamped"
mission statement on slide 2.
Inspiring public confidence through balanced
regulation of competent professional & business
services
She explained that this mission statement guides and directs the
agency to assist professionals in the licensure process, but
also through its disciplinary actions.
2:00:24 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 3, titled, Self-Funded Services to
Support Businesses & Protect Consumers. The division also issues
business licenses and accept corporate filings on behalf of the
state. The division has 19 staff in its enforcement section, to
enforce professional licensing and endorsements to business
licenses.
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 4, titled Volume by the Numbers -
2018." In 2018, the division spent about one-third of its time
in three areas: business licensing, corporations, and
professional licenses. The division issued approximately 75,000
business licenses, 73,000 corporate filings, and 90,000
professional licenses.
2:01:15 PM
SENATOR BIRCH disclosed that he has held a civil engineering
license issued by the Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors since 1978.
2:01:34 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 5, titled, Professions Regulated by
the Division. She said the division regulates 43 different
programs, and 150 professions. This slide lists the 22
professions that are not governed by a board:
Acupuncturists
Athletic Trainers
Audiologists
Behavior Analysts
Collection Agencies
Guardians & Conservators
Construction Contractors
Concert Promoters
Dietitians & Nutritionists
Dispensing Opticians
Electrical Administrators
Animal Euthanasia Permits
Professional Geologists
Hearing Aid Dealers
Home Inspectors
Mechanical Administrators
Morticians
Naturopaths
Nursing Home Administrators
Pawnbrokers
Speech-Language Pathologists
Underground Storage Tank Workers
2:02:44 PM
SENATOR BIRCH asked how the number of Alaska's regulated
professions compares with those regulated in the Lower 48.
MS. CHAMBERS offered to cover this in more depth later in the
presentation. She said some people want more regulation for some
professions while others want less. Alaska is considered the
45th of 50 jurisdictions for the least regulation.
2:04:22 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked for clarification on tobacco
endorsements.
MS. CHAMBERS explained that if someone wants to sell tobacco,
the business would obtain an endorsement on its business
license, so the division can monitor compliance with tobacco
laws.
2:04:55 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO said the legislature has been interested in the
DCBPL for some time. She asked her to provide information that
identifies licensing fees and identifies which boards are
solvent and the ones that struggle.
MS. CHAMBERS offered to provide it to the committee.
2:05:55 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD expressed interest in the number of professions
that were unregulated.
MS. CHAMBERS clarified that the professions she mentioned on
[slides 5-6] were the regulated professions, with 22 professions
regulated by the division and 21 board-regulated professions.
CHAIR REINBOLD asked whether she could provide a list of
unregulated professions and industries.
MS. CHAMBERS explained that any profession that does not require
a license or one that was not required to meet certain
government standards would be considered unregulated. She
suggested that it would be an exhaustive list.
2:06:40 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 6, Boards or Commissions Regulating
Professions- 21 [boards].
Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers and
Land Surveyors
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Board of Dental Examiners
Board of Marine Pilots
State Medical Board
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Board of Massage Therapists
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Board of Nursing
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Board of Professional Counselors
Board of Pharmacy
Board of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate
Examiners
Board of Public Accountancy
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
Real Estate Commission
Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Veterinary Examiners
2:07:00 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 7, Funding and Fees FY 2018. She
explained that the division was completely funded by receipts
outside the general fund. The division does not receive any
appropriation from the legislature. She said that 98 percent of
the division's activities were fee supported. She explained the
division has some third party travel reimbursement since some
national associations will cover travel for board members and
lead staff to learn more about national trends. The Board of
Nursing and a prescription-drug monitoring program receive some
federal grants.
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 8, Funding and Fees. She said that
the division is mandated to ensure that fees are set equal the
cost of regulation. When program costs are reduced, the division
reduces the licensing fees for licensees and if program costs
increase, the licensing fees increase, she said. The division
reviews fees and must consult with the boards and commissions
about fee changes. In the last few years, the division has
streamlined its process. Typically, just prior to the biennial
license renewal cycle, the division will provide analysis to the
board, obtain its input and feedback, and calculate the fee
adjustments. The division must estimate projected expenses, and
expenses typically fluctuate depending on investigation costs.
For example, when a license is suspended, the licensee has due
process rights to appeal the board decision. The division's
enforcement system is complaint driven, she said.
2:09:55 PM
MS. CHAMBERS turned to slide 9, Streamlining and Reducing
Expenses. She said that the division balances in-person meetings
with videoconferences that allow public participation. The
division augments its training to help improve decision making.
The division focuses on individual skill sets and employs cross
training and sharing staff to assist programs with vacancies.
The division seeks to find efficiencies and may introduce
legislation to accomplish some of those goals. The division also
seeks to challenge assumptions and not rely on "we've always
done it this way."
2:13:01 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 10, Total Professional Licenses. She
reported that in the last 10 years, the number of licensees has
dramatically increased, in part, due to an aging population and
the greater need for health care. In addition, the state has had
an expansion of construction contractor licensure.
2:13:49 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD asked if she could elaborate on potential statute
changes the division seeks this year.
Ms. Chambers said that the division seeks to find efficiencies.
Perhaps Alaska might be the only state that continues to
regulate a particular program and if so, the division would want
to eliminate it, if possible.
2:14:38 PM
MS. CHAMBERS turned to slide 11, Temporary Licenses. She said
this slide is intentionally blank slide, since the figures
fluctuate. She said that temporary licenses might provide a
pathway to speed up full licensure, a courtesy that would allow
a veterinarian to practice in Alaska during the Iditarod, or for
dentists to practice in rural Alaska to address dental needs.
She said that generally the focus of temporary licenses is to
allow people to get to work until the licensure process is
completed. She offered to provide data. In FY 2018, the division
issued 462 temporary physician licenses.
2:16:17 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD asked for further clarification on temporary
physician licenses. She recalled at one time the division did
not issue temporary licenses for physicians.
MS. CHAMBERS deferred to Deborah Stovern, the administrator for
the State Medical Board.
2:17:06 PM
DEBORAH STOVERN, Administrator, State Medical Board, Division of
Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Juneau,
answered that the State Medical Board has been issuing temporary
permits at least since she became administrator in 2010. The
function of temporary permits is to get the physician prior to
the board approval since the board meets quarterly, she said.
CHAIR REINBOLD said that several physicians have expressed
frustration at the time it takes to obtain their temporary
licenses.
2:18:20 PM
SENATOR BIRCH asked for the status on expediting temporary
licenses for military spouses.
MS. CHAMBERS acknowledged that was a point of key interest. She
said that Senator Kawasaki worked on expedited licensure for
military spouses for several years, including introducing SB 11
this year. The need for expedited licensure accelerated last
year, when the Fairbanks and North Pole communities expressed
concern about the division's ability to meet the demand for
temporary professional licenses due to the Eielson Air Force
Base expansion. The division has a process to expedite these
licenses, so long as the spouses indicate their status on
license applications. This statute allows the division to
process the military spouse's applications ahead of others, she
said.
The statutes provide authority for boards to issue temporary
licenses to military spouses who await the board or division
approval of their professional licenses. The department has seen
some friction and delay from boards. While some boards have
instituted processes to consider military experience for active
duty members or for veterans, many boards have not addressed the
need to address military spouses. The department anticipates
that would change with passage of SB 11. She highlighted two
areas would turn the "may" into a "shall," which would require
the department to issue a temporary courtesy license to the
spouse of an active duty member who meets certain requirements.
These licensees could begin work until the appropriate board
took action on their professional license, she said.
2:22:22 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 13, Division Personnel. She said
three programs were added based on passage of legislation in
2014, which were implemented in 2015. She said the diagrams on
this slide show the number of staff needed to maintain its 21
boards, 43 licensing programs, and 250,000 licensees.
2:22:29 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed the flowchart on slide 14 that illustrated
the process. The slide had a dotted line to show the applicant's
responsibilities depicted on the left and the division's
responsibilities shown on the right. She said that licensees
would need to research Alaska's requirements for licensure, file
a completed application, and provide all of the documents to
support the application, including transcripts, hospital
privileges, or work experience required by the board or the
division. Some applications, such as physicians, nurses, and
other health care positions have national clearinghouses a
licensee can opt into, but often do not do so. However, some
licensees are not eligible to use a clearinghouse because of
"blemishes" on their record. Alaska would want to investigate
any disciplinary action taken or anything in the record that
would warrant it. For example, a surgeon licensed in another
jurisdiction may have cut off the wrong arm and this information
would surface in the licensure process. Applicants would also be
required to provide any letters of reference, court documents
for any criminal history, and credentialing service, she said.
MS. CHAMBERS stated that the division has emphasized the
importance of expediting applications by creating timeframes.
The division requires staff to screen an application within 10
days to let the applicant know what documents or requirements
are still needed. Next, the division would investigate any
criminal or disciplinary history and might need additional
information. She reported that the division staff turnaround on
investigations is about two weeks. When applicable, the
investigator requests board expertise.
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 15, Licensing Timeframes, which
illustrates the division standards, current timeframes, and
causes for delays in the licensure process.
2:27:17 PM
MS. CHAMBERS explained that board members are volunteers. She
pointed out that the board might be required to vote on an
application, which can add more time. Most boards engage in the
online process, which may take up to two weeks to complete. Some
boards prefer to meet as a group, but the division is working
towards the online process. Once the board takes its action, a
licensee is either qualified or denied. Applicants are entitled
to due process, which allows them to appeal the board or
division's decisions.
2:28:40 PM
SENATOR BIRCH asked for further clarification on reciprocity in
Alaska, since many professionals, such as engineers practice in
multiple states.
MS. CHAMBERS said most professions allow application by
credential, endorsement, or reciprocity. The process is
generally quicker, but the division still must review the
applicant for disciplinary action and to ensure that the
education and experience is substantially equivalent to Alaska's
requirements. Some programs do not have reciprocity, such as
marine pilots. The division would accept U.S. Coast Guard
qualifications. However, Alaska has specific navigation hazards,
such as the Wrangell Narrows. In terms of engineering,
applicants must take an Arctic Engineering course, she said.
2:31:20 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 15, Licensing Timeframes. She
explained that staff processing time is minimal, and most
programs finish their application review process within 20 days.
She offered her belief that temporary licenses are issued within
10 days. Medical facilities can request expedited processing,
she said.
2:32:34 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 17, Streamlining the Experience:
Physicians. She said the processing time is relatively fast. She
said FCVS relates to Federal Credentials Verification Service,
an online credentials verification clearinghouse, previously
mentioned.
2:33:27 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 18, MY LICENSE, online portal - Fall
2018. She said the division has offered online renewal of
licensure for all programs since 2015. Registration is possible
through myAlaska and allows the applicant to upload
documentation and check on the status of their application. The
applications sections are color coded so applicants can easily
see what has been received by the agency and what is missing,
she said.
2:34:51 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD thanked her for her efforts.
2:35:06 PM
Ms. Chambers reviewed slide 20, Military Licensing. She said
needed legislation will streamline the process and accommodate
"Universal Temporary Licensure" for all professions. This will
hopefully address the concern that Senator Birch mentioned and
force the department to deliver the service that military
spouses and health care providers deserve.
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 22, Universal Temporary Licensure.
She explained that universal temporary licensure is one area
addressed in SB 11, which will give the department more control
over temporary licensure for all professions.
2:36:25 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD said this will be helpful.
MS. CHAMBERS said the division has an administrative
responsibility to keep the process moving quickly. Delays
sometimes occur, due to investigations or board member
availability.
2:37:19 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slide 23 titled, Investigative Process.
She said that the investigator has implemented processes to
ensure efficiencies and timeliness. Last year, the division
began implementing a 30-day review. The division added two
senior level investigators by converting two vacant positions.
The division has added additional items to ensure public safety
and to ensure the "paper trail" is adequate, she said.
2:38:52 PM
MS. CHAMBERS reviewed slides 25 and 26. She said "right-touch
regulation" is an international buzzword in licensing. It seeks
to be transparent, balanced, reasonable, responsive, and within
allocated resources. As Senator Birch mentioned earlier, it's
important to ask if we're getting it right. She referenced the
inverted pyramid superimposed on the slide. She explained that
it ranges from market competition and whether the market can
take care of it to licensure, which is the most restrictive. The
list on the left indicates the least restrictive professions to
the most restrictive ones, she said. Some professions such as
automotive service technician don't need a license but their
Better Business Bureau rating can be checked to assess quality.
Some professions such as phlebotomists, radiologic technicians,
and ministers are regulated in other states, but not in Alaska.
Government hasn't seen a need to get involved, but legislation
has been proposed. In closing, she stated that the legislature
makes policy calls on which professions to regulate.
2:41:16 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD expressed concern about nail and offered her
belief that it is a concern in the community. She further
expressed concern that investigators were compiled in a
different department. She thanked Ms. Chambers for addressing
the temporary medical licenses and expedited licensure for
military spouses.
^OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-STATE LIAISON OFFICE
OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-STATE LIAISON OFFICE
2:42:39 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD announced that the next order of business would
be an Overview of the Defense-State Liaison Office.
2:43:57 PM
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Regional Liaison, Department of Defense,
Military & Family Policy, Washington, D.C., began a PowerPoint
on the Defense-State Liaison Office.
She reviewed slide 1, What We Do.
The Defense-State Liaison Office, or DSLO, works with
state policymakers to change laws and policies to
improve military family well-being.
Since 2010, we've worked with state policymakers to
enact over 600 bills that make life better for the
military community.
If is a priority for military families, it's a
priority for us.
She commended Alaska's support for military families to make
life easier for military families.
2:45:22 PM
MS. PERREAULT turned to slide 3, Military Matters: 10 Key Issues
for 2019. She offered to focus on the three key issue related to
licensure for military spouses: Occupational Licensing Compacts,
military spouse teacher licensure, and licensure law and
implementation. She said this is important because:
68% of married Service Members report their spouse's
ability to maintain a career impacts their decision to
remain in the military?
77% of military spouses report they want or need to
work?
15.2% of military spouses move from State to State
annually?
As many as 34% of military spouses are required to
maintain occupational licensure for employment.
MS. PERREAULT directed attention to a memorandum in members'
packets that the Secretary of the Navy sent in February that
indicated the U.S. Navy would make its basing decisions, in
part, on the quality of the schools and reciprocity of
licensure. She stated that this issue became important a few
years ago when the department began hearing from military
members who indicated their decision to leave the service was
due to their spouse's inability to work.
MS. PERREAULT directed attention to slide 9, Why this Matters to
Alaska. She referred to a table on the slide that showed the
total number of service members at 20,738 with 10,281 spouses
for the nine bases in Alaska, including the U.S. Coast Guard.
She said that other than Hawaii, Alaska has the largest number
of military spouses per capita in the nation.
MS. PERREAULT turned to slide 6, Distribution of [Licensed]
Occupations. She reviewed the pie chart on the slide that showed
49 percent of the spouses were in health related fields and 32
percent were education related licensed positions. The demand
for health care professionals continues to grow and military
spouses could fill that gap.
2:49:51 PM
SENATOR BIRCH said his dad was stationed in the Aleutians during
WWII. His dad obtained an engineering degree through the GI
bill, he said. He asked whether the military provides any
educational benefits to military spouses.
MS. PERREAULT, after clarifying the question, answered that a
number of programs were available through the DOD's OneSource,
which provides partnership with organizations such as Microsoft.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has set up specific hiring zones
for military spouses, she said. She offered to provide more
information to the committee.
2:51:43 PM
MS. PERREAULT noted that Senator Reinbold mention earlier the
feedback she'd received on the licensure process at JBER. She
referenced slide 9 that that lists where DoD has looked at
occupations and licensure if various states. They participated
in the University of Minnesota study and found that often times
state boards did not implement their state law. They found that
one way to alleviate this issue is for states to have a data
collection and reporting process it could alleviate the issue.
2:52:48 PM
MS. PERREAULT reviewed slide 10, What is happening in 2019? She
listed compacts and Occupational Licensing Learning Policy
Consortium. She noted what is happening in other states and
Exemption.
She highlighted four compacts DoD is currently tracking.
These are the Physical Therapy License Compact, the
Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) that has been
approved in 31 states and is the gold standard for military
spouses, REPLICA Emergency Medical Services Compact, and
PSYPACT Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact.
2:53:52 PM
MS. PERREAULT explained that the Occupational Licensing Policy
Learning Consortium is some best practices sources that are
available. She noted that Senator Costello mentioned recently
developed crosswalk resources. The National Council of State
Legislatures, the National Governors' Association, and the
Council of State Governments are good sources of information.
2:54:05 PM
MS. PERREAULT referenced slides 13, 14, and 15 that address
legislation in other states. Montana has a best practice of
changing "may" to "shall" to force boards to recognize licenses
from other states. Idaho recently issued an executive order and
introduced a house bill that highlights four ways the state can
move forward on licensure for military spouses, ensuring public
safety and cost effectiveness. Oregon proposed an amendment that
is much like what Alaska is doing in SB 11. It is a review of
MS. PERREAULT reported that three states allow military spouses
to work in the state, based upon having a valid out-of-state
license, without evaluating "substantial equivalency." She
directed attention to the quote on slide 17 from Colorado Second
Lady, Karen Pence, Fort Carson, September 2018:
But I can say without a doubt that the strength of our
nation does not just come from the people in uniform
who fight to protect our freedoms. The spouses and the
families, who serve alongside them, also make
tremendous sacrifices to the greater benefit of our
country.
CHAIR REINBOLD thanked Ms. Perreault for the presentation.
SB 11-MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
2:56:24 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD announced that the final order of business would
be SENATE BILL NO. 11, "An Act relating to temporary courtesy
licenses for certain nonresident professionals; and relating to
the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development."
2:56:48 PM
SENATOR BIRCH clarified that the committee would be hearing the
original version of SB 11, labeled 31-LS0262\A. Senator Gray-
Jackson objected for purpose of discussion.
2:57:18 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
speaking as sponsor of SB 11, said he would provide a high-level
overview of SB 11. He said that a similar bill [House Bill 262]
passed the House last year with a 40-0 vote and gained
bipartisan support in the Senate before it failed to reach the
floor for a vote. The concept of this bill is listed as a
priority for the U.S. Department of Defense by the state liaison
serving Alaska.
SENATOR KAWASAKI said that Alaska supports its armed service
members, its veterans, its military and its families. He said
that volunteer groups transition soldiers and their families as
they come to Alaska. The school districts help integrate
children into their local schools quickly and without any
issues. Even small businesses participate. He described
Fairbanks as welcoming to military members, that its small
businesses offer discounts to military families. He reported
that Fairbanks has 9,000 servicemen and women, with 4,000
spouses. The community anticipates an additional 1,000 armed
service members in Fairbanks with the F-35s anticipated to come
to Alaska. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), located in
Anchorage has 10,000 servicemen and women, he said.
2:59:03 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI explained that SB 11 would build off the
original bill that Representative Thomas introduced in 2011 to
expedite temporary and courtesy licenses. He described SB 11 as
one way the legislature could show support for its military
families and allow spouses and dependents to transition into
their jobs quickly. He said he hoped to advance the bill quickly
since it is pro-military pro-jobs, and pro-economy at a time
when Alaska needs it more than ever. He thanked the Department
of Defense and the Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development for their assistance.
[SB 11 was held in committee.]
3:00:25 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD reviewed upcoming committee announcements.
3:00:49 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Reinbold adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 3:00 p.m.