03/23/2021 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB71 | |
| SB84 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| SB77 | |
| SB47 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 77 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 23, 2021
3:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Shower, Chair
Senator Lora Reinbold, Vice Chair (via Teams)
Senator Mia Costello (via Teams)
Senator Roger Holland (via Teams)
Senator Scott Kawasaki (via Teams)
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 71
"An Act relating to special request registration plates
celebrating the arts; relating to artwork in public buildings
and facilities; relating to the management of artwork under the
art in public places fund; relating to the powers and duties of
the Alaska State Council on the Arts; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED SB 71 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 84
"An Act relating to the veterans' land purchase discount;
establishing state land vouchers; relating to the permanent fund
dividend; relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue;
authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to accept state
land vouchers; relating to eligibility for public assistance;
and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SB 84 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Personnel Board
Craig Johnson - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Alaska Police Standards Council
Daniel Weatherly - Anchor Point
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Alaska Public Offices Commission
Dan LaSota - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 77
"An Act relating to charitable gaming online ticket sales and
activities."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 47
"An Act relating to special registration plates for vehicles
owned by persons with disabilities."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 71
SHORT TITLE: COUNCIL ON ARTS: PLATES & MANAGE ART
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
02/05/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/21 (S) STA, FIN
03/09/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/09/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/09/21 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/23/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 84
SHORT TITLE: LAND VOUCHERS; PFDS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/12/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/21 (S) STA, RES, FIN
03/02/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/02/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/02/21 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/11/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/11/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/11/21 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/23/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 77
SHORT TITLE: USE OF INTERNET FOR CHARITABLE GAMING
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
02/10/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/10/21 (S) STA, L&C
03/23/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 47
SHORT TITLE: VEHICLE REGISTRATION/PERSONS W/DISABILITY
SPONSOR(s): GRAY-JACKSON
01/25/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/25/21 (S) STA
03/23/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
JUNE ROGERS, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 71.
JEFFREY SCHMITZ, Director
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Administration (DOA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 71.
DANIEL WEATHERLY, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Anchor Point, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Police
Standards Council.
CRAIG JOHNSON, Appointee
Personnel Board
Department of Administration (DOA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Personnel
Board.
DAN LASOTA, Appointee
Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC)
Department of Administration (DOA)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Public
Offices Commission.
MELODIE WILTERDINK, Staff
Senator Mia Costello
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 77 on behalf of the sponsor.
COLLEEN GLOVER, Director
Tax Division
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to SB 77.
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 47.
KEITH FOGERS, Staff
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Alaska State Legislature
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for SB 47.
PATRICIA MACADOO, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 47.
LEEANNE CARROTHERS, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 47.
ANNETTE ALFONSI, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 47.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:33:16 PM
CHAIR MIKE SHOWER called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Holland, Kawasaki, Costello, Reinbold, (all
via Teams) and Chair Shower.
He explained the procedure when the committee is meeting
remotely.
Roll call showed the presence and location of the members as
follows:
SENATOR REINBOLD, Capitol Room 427, SENATOR COSTELLO, Capitol
Room 117, SENATOR HOLLAND, Capitol Room 113, SENATOR KAWASAKI,
Capitol Room 07, and CHAIR SHOWER in the Butrovich room, Capitol
205.
SB 71-COUNCIL ON ARTS: PLATES & MANAGE ART
3:38:22 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 71
"An Act relating to special request registration plates
celebrating the arts; relating to artwork in public buildings
and facilities; relating to the management of artwork under the
art in public places fund; relating to the powers and duties of
the Alaska State Council on the Arts; and providing for an
effective date."
CHAIR SHOWER listed the individuals available to answer
questions related to SB 71.
3:38:55 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SB 71.
3:39:11 PM
JUNE ROGERS, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, stated that
SB 71 recognizes the value of the Alaska State Council on the
Arts (ASCA) very successful Alaska Artistic License Plate
Program. A modest surcharge on these artistic plates will
generate income for ASCA that can be directed to the required
match to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The bill also allows ASCA to hold artistic competitions and pay
the winning artist of the competition. Furthermore, the bill
clarifies that the attorney general serves as legal counsel to
ASCA and ASCA's authority over public art from the Percent for
Art Program. She characterized the exemption of private sector
funding from the Executive Branch Budget Act as laudable. It
recognizes the need to protect this type of public support. She
thanked the sponsor for introducing the legislation and the
committee for its consideration.
3:41:14 PM
CHAIR SHOWER closed public testimony on SB 71.
SENATOR REINBOLD asked for DMV's position on the bill.
3:41:48 PM
JEFFREY SCHMITZ, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Administration (DOA), Anchorage, Alaska, stated
that the celebrating the arts plates are the most popular of all
the plates DMV has, but he believes that the $50 fee will
significantly decrease that demand.
SENATOR REINBOLD said she looked forward to discussing the
potential closure of certain DMV offices on another day.
3:43:11 PM
CHAIR SHOWER solicited a motion.
3:43:23 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD moved to report SB 71, work order 32-LS0310\I,
from committee [with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s)].
CHAIR SHOWER found no objection and SB 71 was reported from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
SB 84-LAND VOUCHERS; PFDS
3:44:05 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 84
"An Act relating to the veterans' land purchase discount;
establishing state land vouchers; relating to the permanent fund
dividend; relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue;
authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to accept state
land vouchers; relating to eligibility for public assistance;
and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR SHOWER advised that public testimony was opened and closed
on 3/11/21 and his intent was to move the bill from committee.
Finding no questions or comments, he solicited a motion.
3:45:18 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD moved to report [SB 84, work order 32-GS1612\A]
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
CHAIR SHOWER found no objection and SB 84 was reported from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
^Confirmation Hearing(s)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Personnel Board
Alaska Police Standards Council
Alaska Public Offices Commission
3:46:49 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of Governor Appointees
to Boards and Commissions. He stated his intention for the
committee to hear from every nominee referred to the committee.
3:48:07 PM
DANIEL WEATHERLY, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council,
Department of Public Safety, Anchor Point, Alaska, stated that
he had been in law enforcement in Alaska for about 30 years,
working primarily with the Alaska State Troopers. He wants to
serve on this council to further its good work and to give back
to the troopers and the state.
SENATOR REINBOLD stated that she thoroughly vetted Mr. Weatherly
in the Judiciary Committee and he had her thumbs up.
CHAIR SHOWER said he too attended the judiciary hearing, and he
had no further questions.
3:50:07 PM
At ease
3:50:18 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting. He asked Craig Johnson to
introduce himself, provide a brief background, and tell the
committee why he would like to serve on the Personnel Board.
3:50:18 PM
CRAIG JOHNSON, Appointee, Personnel Board, Department of
Administration (DOA), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that his
interest in public service was not diminished after 15 years as
a legislator. The Governor asked him to serve on this board and
he has enjoyed serving for the past year. He said this board
serves an important purpose as the ethics arm for the governor,
lieutenant governor, and the attorney general. Additionally, it
does job rankings and classifications. He said this service
meshes with his legislative experience as a member of both the
Rules Committee and the Ethics Committee. He thanked the
committee for its consideration.
SENATOR REINBOLD extended good wishes to Mr. Johnson, thanked
him for being willing to serve, and gave him a thumbs up.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if he had any skeletons in the closet that
might pop up with additional scrutiny.
MR. JOHNSON posited that if he had any skeletons his opponents
would have uncovered them when he ran for office and won five
elections. He has received clearance to attend White House
meetings as well as top-secret clearance to work on a military
base in France. He concluded that he did not think he had done
anything that would embarrass his children.
CHAIR SHOWER asked Dan LaSota to introduce himself, provide a
brief background, and tell the committee why he would like to
serve on the Alaska Public Offices Commission.
3:55:47 PM
DAN LASOTA, Appointee, Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC),
Fairbanks, Alaska, stated that the Governor appointed him to
this position in late 2020 and he has participated in all APOC
meetings since then. He related that he has been in Alaska since
1987 when he was a graduate student at the Geophysical Institute
in Fairbanks. Five years later, he was on the Fairbanks North
Star Borough Assembly and served in that capacity until 1999. He
said his interest in public service stems from the idea that the
public needs good representation. His belief is that public
officials should be willing to listen to diverse views and to
maintain ethical standards. He reported that he has experience
with the many APOC reports as both a candidate and campaign
manager. He assured the committee that his appointment to the
democrat seat on the commission would not affect his decision-
making. He wants to be seen as someone who tends to detail, is
well briefed on cases, knows about statutory requirements, and
is fair. He said he looks forward to continuing to serve, if
confirmed.
3:58:08 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked if he had any conflicts of interest to
declare.
MR. LESOTA answered no.
SENATOR REINBOLD stated appreciation for APOC and its website
and then asked what the process would be to offer suggestions
for improvement.
MR. LESOTA gave credit to the APOC staff for the website and
invited her to attend the next public meeting to offer her
thoughts.
SENATOR REINBOLD highlighted that lobbyists are only naming the
organization they are speaking for, which is not as transparent
as in years past. She said she looks forward to the public
meeting.
4:01:07 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND expressed appreciation to all the applicants for
being willing to serve.
CHAIR SHOWER asked Mr. LeSota if he had any criminal or ethical
issues that might make service on the board difficult or if he
had any skeletons in the closet.
MR. LESOTA answered no and then disclosed that he raised a
potential conflict of interest related to his employment at the
university but the chair of APOC ruled it was not a conflict. He
said his belief is that the public should be aware of anything
that pertains to the publics' business.
CHAIR SHOWER said he appreciated the comment that it does not
matter that he is a democrat when he makes decisions about
whether or not a legislator is upholding the standards of
legislative behavior. He then highlighted the issue of dark
money flowing into the state that does not adhere to the same
high reporting standard that candidates follow.
4:05:32 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on the nominees to boards
and commissions.
4:05:46 PM
CHAIR SHOWER discerned that no one wished to testify and closed
public testimony on the forgoing nominees to boards and
commissions.
4:06:00 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD moved to forward the following names of
governor appointees from the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee:
Personnel Board
Craig Johnson - Anchorage
Alaska Police Standards Council
Daniel Weatherly - Anchor Point
Alaska Public Offices Commission
Dan LaSota - Fairbanks
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.
CHAIR SHOWER stated that without objection, the names would be
forwarded.
SB 77-USE OF INTERNET FOR CHARITABLE GAMING
4:06:48 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 77
"An Act relating to charitable gaming online ticket sales and
activities."
He noted who was available to answer questions.
4:08:11 PM
MELODIE WILTERDINK, Staff, Senator Mia Costello and the Senate
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, read the sponsor statement for SB 77 into the
record:
In January of 2021, Governor Dunleavy asked the
Legislature to extend the public health disaster
emergency through the passage of Senate Bill 56. This
was a comprehensive bill with numerous provisions, one
of which included an extension of the public health
disaster emergency.
This bill is taken from the Governor's bill and
addresses Section 9 of the Governor's bill. It looks
at charitable gaming online ticket sales.
The purpose of this committee bill is to give the
legislative branch the opportunity to take the
necessary time to determine whether or not we need to
make our statutes more COVID-19 aware, as opposed to
relying on an emergency disaster declaration in order
to keep our state operational. The Senate Labor and
Commerce Committee intends to rely heavily on the
administration to explain why certain sections in the
disaster extension bill, such as the provisions now
found in Senate Bill 77, are necessary.
4:09:39 PM
MS. WILTERDINK read the following sectional analysis for SB 77:
Sec. 1 AS 05.15.060(a) Page 1, Lines 3-15, & Page 2,
Lines 1-31, & Page 3, Lines 1-3 Is amended by adding a
new subsection AS 05.15.060(a)(11) to establish
standards for online ticket sales to ensure compliance
with charitable gaming laws including age and location
verification and data security standards.
Sec. 2 AS 05.15.640 Page 3, Lines 4-16
Is amended by adding a new subsection AS 05.15.640(d)
to allow permitees and operators of charitable gaming
licenses to use the Internet to conduct charitable
gaming activities for raffles, lotteries, dog mushers'
contests, derbies, or types of classics defined in AS
05.15.690. This includes drawing winning tickets
online.
Is amended by adding a new subsection AS 05.15.640(e)
to specify that permitees and operators of charitable
gaming licenses must verify that purchasers are of
legal purchasing age, physically present in the state,
and not physically present in an area that has
prohibited charitable gaming
4:11:17 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked if there were questions or comments.
SENATOR REINBOLD thanked the sponsor for taking the initiative
to introduce certain provisions of the Governor's disaster bill
in separate pieces of legislation.
CHAIR SHOWER advised that Senator Costello and other legislators
are trying to get the legislative and executive branches to work
together to make it possible to function in a situation like
COVID-19 without having to declare a disaster. He asked Senator
Costello to comment.
4:12:50 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO, speaking as the chair of the Labor and
Commerce Committee, thanked her staff, Melodie Wilterdink, for
carrying the bill. She said it places a provision from the
Governor's disaster declaration in separate legislation to make
the statutes more COVID-aware. She said she believes this will
benefit the state and she looks forward to hearing Ms. Glover
talk about the entities that would use this law should it pass.
4:14:19 PM
COLLEEN GLOVER, Director, Tax Division, Department of Revenue,
Anchorage, Alaska, began her testimony by providing context for
charitable gaming to be in the Governor's disaster declaration
bill. She explained that it became apparent last summer that
organizations that make up the gaming community were harmed by
not being able to sell raffle tickets at public events. The
current law allows promotion of these contests and derbies over
the internet, but the raffles and games cannot be conducted
online. The division issued temporary guidance saying that
during the pandemic the sale and raffle would be allowed. When
the original emergency declaration expired in November 2020, the
administration worked to include that temporary regulatory
exemption in Health Order 7 issued in mid-November 2020. She
said that was extended every 30 days until the last one expired
in February.
Responding to Senator Costello's request, she said she did not
have specific examples, but the division did receive feedback
from organizations that expressed concern that online raffles
and games would not be allowed once the emergency order expired.
She referenced the supporting testimony from charitable
organizations and others in House Finance last week about the
benefits of online raffles and gaming. She said there has been
no opposition and the administration support the statutory
changes reflected in SB 77, she said.
4:17:11 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO referred to a requirement in the Governor's
disaster declaration legislation and asked how the
administration intended to verify the age of the player and that
play was conducted from a location in the state.
MS. GLOVER replied the legislation called for the department to
issue guidance through regulations and the division discussed
the use of software to verify both age and location.
4:18:33 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI advised that the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks
expressed concern about the expiration of the emergency
regulations for online gaming. In response, his office
researched Title 5 and found nothing prevents using electronic
means to conduct raffles and gaming. The Department of Law and
Legislative Legal Services worked on language for temporary
guidance for gaming permitees and settled on the word "promote"
as written in Title 5. He asked how that was implemented and if
there were any problems with the emergency regulation.
MS. GLOVER replied the division posted "temporary guidance" on
the division's website and shared it with the gaming community.
There were no emergency regulations and the permitees were not
required to prove age or location. The department felt it was
important to help prevent charitable gaming organizations from
losing proceeds, and thus did not implement many constraints.
She acknowledged that, like many others, they did not expect the
pandemic to endure for more than a year.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked how smaller groups would be able to
comply with the proposed statutory revisions, should they become
permanent.
MS. GLOVER answered the division does not want to make it be too
difficult for these organizations to comply, but they will need
to have controls in place to prevent selling to individuals who
are out of state or do not meet the age requirement. The
division believes there are affordable software options for the
charitable gaming community to use to meet the proposed
requirements.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked how long it would take to promulgate the
regulations, should this become law. Specifically, he asked if
online gaming could take place this summer the same way that it
did last summer.
4:23:59 PM
MS. GLOVER replied the legislation authorizes the division to
issue guidance and standards initially and follow up later with
formal regulations.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if there is an effective date that allows the
transition.
[Audio difficulties between the chair who was in the committee
room and members who were attending the meeting via Microsoft
Teams.]
4:25:34 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if SB 77 intends for the temporary
guidance to continue at the discretion of the Department of
Revenue (DOR).
4:26:14 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO answered that the only intention in any of the
bills the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee
introduced was to look at the issues [from the Governor's
disaster declaration bill] more closely and answer that
question.
SENATOR COSTELLO noted that this was the first hearing on SB 77
and her sense, based on Ms. Glover's testimony, was there is a
need for online charitable gaming to be an option going forward.
Noting that there was not an effective date, she asked Ms.
Glover if she would suggest adding an immediate effective date
to the bill.
MS. GLOVER replied she believes it is always good to have an
effective date on any legislation.
4:27:42 PM
At ease due to audio problems associated with Microsoft Teams.
4:30:06 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and relayed that he was able
to hear the discussion the members were having and the
discussion was recorded, but the members could not hear him. He
described SB 77 as an important effort to l prevent the need for
a disaster declaration to conduct business.
4:30:49 PM
CHAIR SHOWER found no further questions and announced he would
hold SB 77 in committee.
SB 47-VEHICLE REGISTRATION/PERSONS W/DISABILITY
4:31:13 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 47
"An Act relating to special registration plates for vehicles
owned by persons with disabilities."
He listed the individuals available to answer questions.
4:31:54 PM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of SB 47, read the following sponsor statement
into the record:
SB47 amends AS 28.10.181(d) to allow speech-language
pathologists, physical therapists, and occupational
therapists to provide proof of disability to their
clients. Currently, only chiropractors, physicians,
physicians' assistants, or advanced practice
registered nurses can provide proof of disability to
their clients.
By expanding the ability for medical professionals in
different fields to provide proof of disability to
individuals, the opportunity to obtain special
registration plates for vehicles is expanded for
people with different kinds of disabilities.
Oftentimes, Individuals with disabilities are in more
constant contact with their physical or occupational
therapists than with physicians because their issues
require more specialized care. It can be cumbersome
for these people, who are already sufferings with
disabilities, to make an additional visit to the
physician purely for the purpose of acquiring their
plaques. To provide ease and accessibility for these
disabled people, it would be more efficient and
effective to allow these additional types of
professionals to provide proof of disability.
4:33:31 PM
KEITH FOGERS, Staff, Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Alaska State
Legislature, delivered the following sectional analysis for SB
47:
Section 1: Amends AS 28.10.181(d) to include a person
licensed as a speech-language pathologist, or as a
physical therapist or occupational therapist under
AS.08.84.
4:35:13 PM
CHAIR SHOWER found no initial questions and opened public
testimony on SB 47.
4:35:30 PM
PATRICIA MACADOO, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, stated
that she is a physical therapist who has done itinerant work in
the Bush since retiring from the US Public Health Service. She
said the providers listed in the existing statute are not always
available to people who live in the Bush. Handicap placards are
not needed in the Bush, but one is needed when a village
resident who has a mobility impairment visits a larger community
such as Anchorage or Fairbanks. It is a problem if they cannot
get a placard until they see a doctor and get the paperwork
processed. She said it would be helpful if itinerant providers
such as herself could provide the handicap placards. The
criteria are set out in legislation so no one could set up their
own criteria. She serves the southern and eastern villages of
Norton Sound and frequently needs to beseech a physician in Nome
to audit the record and issue a placard for someone they have
never seen just to get a placard. This bill is long overdue, she
said.
4:37:54 PM
LEEANNE CARROTHERS, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, stated
that she is the Government Affairs Liaison for the American
Physical Therapy Association, Alaska Chapter, but was speaking
for herself as a licensed physical therapist. The association
had not met and taken a stand on the legislation, but she
anticipated it would do so very soon. Speaking with 35 years as
a clinician and educator of physical therapy, she contended that
physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech and
language pathologists have the knowledge and skills to assess
whether or not somebody meets the disability requirements to
receive a disability parking permit or license plate. She said
she is able to see patients without a referral and she believes
that statutorily authorizing physical therapists to sign these
forms will save time and money by eliminating the need to visit
an additional provider. Passing the bill will allow
rehabilitation therapists to practice at the level appropriate
to their knowledge, skills, and experience, she concluded.
4:40:21 PM
ANNETTE ALFONSI, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, stated
that she was representing herself and the Unmasking Brain Injury
Project. She related her personal experience of being in a
serious car accident and receiving a traumatic brain injury. She
said she has planned and implemented annual brain injury
education with continuing education credit for chiropractors,
physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other health
care professionals. She has worked in medical and dental offices
and has received treatment from all the fields listed in the
bill.
MS. ALFONSI said the disability parking placard form asks about
walking distance and walking with assistance and she has found
that physical therapists generally assess this aspect of walking
more extensively than physicians do. She pointed out that it is
within the scope of practice for an occupational therapist (OT)
to do a driving test and workers' compensation accepts the
results but OTs do not have the ability to provide the
disability parking placard. She said she also worked with a
speech therapist on cognitive retraining, but none of these
therapists can issue the parking placard. She had to make
another appointment to get the parking placard. She said this
bill will save time and money and increase independence,
healing, and economic viability. She urged passage of SB 47.
4:43:21 PM
CHAIR SHOWER thanked her for talking about how the bill will
help people.
SENATOR REINBOLD described Ms. Alfonsi's testimony as impressive
and valuable.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked what the scope of practice is for speech
pathologists.
MS. ALFONSI answered that speech therapists are able to provide
cognitive assessments and cognitive retraining to address
cognitive fatigue and neurological overload that may result from
a brain injury. She described losing one's car in a parking lot
due to cognitive fatigue brought on by stress and too much
walking.
SENATOR KAWASAKI thanked her for the explanation.
SENATOR HOLLAND said he understands the importance of the bill
based on Ms. Alfonsi's testimony.
CHAIR SHOWER related that he has a sister-in-law in this field,
and it is amazing what these therapists can do to help people
with traumatic brain injuries become productive members of
society once again.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked the testifiers for calling and the
committee for hearing the bill.
4:48:56 PM
CHAIR SHOWER closed public testimony on SB 47 and held the bill
in committee.
4:50:13 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Shower adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 4:50 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 77 Fiscal Note 2476.pdf |
SSTA 3/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 77 |
| SB 77 Sponsor Statement 3.17.21.pdf |
SSTA 3/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 77 |
| SB 77 Sectional Analysis 3.17.21.pdf |
SSTA 3/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 77 |
| SB 47 Fiscal Note 2348.pdf |
SSTA 3/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| SB 47 v.A.PDF |
SSTA 3/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| SB 47 Written Testimony (Additional).pdf |
SSTA 3/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| SB47 Supporting Documents-DTD 2-2-2021.pdf |
SSTA 3/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| SB47 Written Testimony (6).pdf |
SSTA 3/23/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |