HB 117-EXTEND BOARD OF DIRECT-ENTRY MIDWIVES  3:19:46 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 117, "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; and providing for an effective date." CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ invited questions from committee members for Legislative Auditor Kris Curtis. There being none, she announced that HB 117 would be taken up later in the meeting. HB 117-EXTEND BOARD OF DIRECT-ENTRY MIDWIVES  4:29:16 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would be a return to HOUSE BILL NO. 117, "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; and providing for an effective date." 4:29:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY asked Representative Ortiz his thoughts on extending the sunset date of the Board of Certified Direct- Entry Midwives for only two years. 4:30:08 PM REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor of HB 117, responded that Legislative Auditor Kris Curtis explained why the audit recommended an extension of only two years, and he doesn't necessarily know the details of what may be a confidential matter. He said that the solution brought forward by Ms. Curtis gives the board time to address the issues. He noted that he is offering the proposed legislation on behalf of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives and doesn't necessarily have any knowledge of the matter. 4:31:53 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ noted that she has served for the past four years on the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee and directed attention to page 5, paragraph 3, of the sunset report, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: The reduced extension is due to an issue identified during the audit that may impact the board's ability to protect the public and the board's reluctance to recommend statutory changes in the public's best interest. The details of the issue are not included in this report to preserve the confidentiality of an ongoing investigation. The reduced extension reflects the need for continued oversight. CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ expressed that the sunset date could be extended two years to allow the board to implement the recommended changes, and subsequently have a longer extension. 4:33:00 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS opened public testimony on HB 117. There being no one who wished to testify, he closed public testimony. [HB 117 was held over.] HB 117-EXTEND BOARD OF DIRECT-ENTRY MIDWIVES  5:13:46 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would be a return to HOUSE BILL NO. 117, "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; and providing for an effective date." 5:13:54 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ moved to report HB 117 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objections, HB 117 was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.