ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE  April 3, 2019 3:21 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Co-Chair Representative Adam Wool, Co-Chair Representative Zack Fields Representative Sara Hannan Representative Louise Stutes Representative Josh Revak Representative Dave Talerico MEMBERS ABSENT  All members present COMMITTEE CALENDAR  CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): Board of Nursing Shannon Connelly - Palmer Emily Henry - Anchorage - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Massage Therapists Julie Endle - Palmer - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives Dana Espindola - Eagle River - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Occupational Safety & Health Review Board Vincent Perez - Wasilla - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Examiners in Optometry Dr. Bradley Cross - Soldotna - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Pharmacy Leif Holm - North Pole - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy Dr. Enlow Walker - North Pole - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Psychologists & Psychological Associate Examiners Matthew Dammeyer - Soldotna Erin Johnson - Anchorage - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers Ashlee Stetson - Wasilla - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Real Estate Commission Cheryl Markwood - Fairbanks Jaime Matthews - Glennallen PeggyAnn McConnochie - Juneau Margaret Nelson - Anchorage Jesse Sumner - Wasilla - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Social Work Examiners Geoffry McCormick - North Pole Colleen Vague - Wasilla - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Veterinary Examiners Dr. Scott Flamme - Fairbanks - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Alaska Workers' Compensation Board Bradley Austin - Juneau Randy Beltz - Anchorage Charles "Chuck" Collins Jr. - Juneau Bob Doyle - Wasilla Julie Duquette - Fairbanks Sara Faulkner - Homer Diane Thompson - Anchorage Kimberly Ziegler - Palmer Sarah Lefebvre - Fairbanks - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors Phillip Schneider - Palmer - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED HOUSE BILL NO. 91 "An Act relating to the practice of naturopathy; relating to the licensure of naturopaths; relating to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and providing for an effective date." - HEARD & HELD HOUSE BILL NO. 102 "An Act relating to rental vehicles; relating to vehicle rental networks; relating to liability for vehicle rental taxes; and providing for an effective date." - HEARD & HELD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB 91 SHORT TITLE: NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOHNSTON 03/13/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/13/19 (H) L&C, FIN 04/03/19 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124 BILL: HB 102 SHORT TITLE: RENTAL VEHICLE BY PRIVATE OWNER SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) WOOL 03/20/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/20/19 (H) L&C, FIN 04/03/19 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124 WITNESS REGISTER SHANNON CONNELLY, Appointee Board of Nursing Palmer, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of Nursing. EMILY HENRY, Appointee Board of Nursing Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of Nursing. ERIN SHINE, Staff Representative Jennifer Johnston Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 91 on behalf of Representative Johnston, prime sponsor. SARA CHAMBERS, Director Division of Corporations, Businesses, and Professional Licensing Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB 91. ABBY LAING, ND Thrive Integrative Medicine; President, Alaska Association of Naturopathic Physicians Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions as a naturopathic physician during the hearing on HB 91. ASHLEY STRAUCH, Staff Representative Adam Wool Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB 102, on behalf of Representative Wool, prime sponsor. BRANDON SPANOS, Deputy Director Tax Division Department of Revenue Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB 102. ACTION NARRATIVE 3:21:07 PM CO-CHAIR ADAM WOOL called the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:21 p.m. Representatives Fields, Hannan, Revak, Talerico, LeDoux, and Wool were present at the call to order. Representative Stutes arrived as the meeting was in progress. ^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): ^Board of Nursing CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):  Board of Nursing      3:21:49 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that the first order of business would be confirmation hearings for appointees to the Board of Nursing.   3:22:02 PM SHANNON CONNELLY, Appointee, Board of Nursing, gave a brief description of her experience working as a teacher for the Anchorage School District for 9 years. She noted that she currently serves on the city of Palmer's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Board. Her interest in serving on the Board of Nursing stems from her concern about the state's shortage of nurses. She said she wants to help ensure that there will continue to be quality nurses in Alaska. CO-CHAIR WOOL asked if Ms. Connelly is applying for a public seat on the board. MS. CONNELLY answered yes. 3:24:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked if restricting reproductive health services is an appropriate role for the Board of Nursing. MS. CONNELLY Answered no, it's a role for individual practices. 3:25:32 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES, referencing Ms. Connelly's resume, sought clarification on "the Popcorn Colonel" volunteer position. MS. CONNELLY explained that it's a position that oversees the popcorn fundraiser sales for the Boy Scouts of America. 3:27:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN questioned whether Ms. Connelly would advocate for the extension and continuation of the Board of Nursing and asked if the board's statutory expiration was discussed at the meeting she attended. MS. CONNELLY confirmed that it was brought up during a previous board meeting. She noted that there would be more information on how to advocate for the board's extension at the next meeting. CO-CHAIR WOOL asked if Ms. Connelly had experience serving on other boards in the past. Ms. CONNELLY revealed that this would be the second, as she is currently serving on Palmer's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Board. 3:29:32 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL opened public testimony. 3:30:00 PM EMILY HENRY, Appointee, Board of Nursing, informed the committee that she is originally from Delaware and gave a brief description of her educational background and experience working as a homecare nurse wherein she mostly worked with special needs children. She stated that she moved to Alaska two years ago after accepting a job with Providence Extended Care where she oversees 12 residents. She said her interest in serving on the board stems from her desire to share the insight she gained from her homecare experience. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked how to ensure there are adequate licensure programs for all levels of nursing in Alaska and how to fulfill the demand for those positions across the state. MS. HENRY replied that she works closely with student CNAs and is familiar with their skills and where they might lack certain knowledge. She opined that the board needs to improve their on- site visits to training facilities, which are required every two years in order to increase the quality of CNAs and nurses in the state. 3:35:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked if restricting reproductive health services is an appropriate role for the Board of Nursing. MS. HENRY opined that there's no reason for the board to restrict anything related to women's health. She expounded on the importance of women making regular doctor's appointments and check-ups. CO-CHAIR WOOL noted that this board position is specifically a licensed practical nurse (LPN) seat. He asked if that was correct. MS. HENRY answered yes, adding that she has been an LPN since 2011 and is currently licensed in the state of Alaska. 3:39:18 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL closed public testimony. 3:39:30 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX moved to advance the confirmation of Shannon Connelly and Emily Henry, appointees to the Board of Nursing, to the joint session of the House and Senate for consideration. She reminded members that signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees, and the nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection. There being no objection, the confirmations were advanced. 3:39:59 PM The committee took a brief at-ease. ^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): ^Board of Massage Therapists ^Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives ^Occupational Safety & Health Review Board ^Board of Examiners in Optometry ^Board of Pharmacy ^Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy ^Board of Psychologists & Psychological Associate Examiners ^Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers ^Real Estate Commission ^Board of Social Work Examiners ^Board of Veterinary Examiners ^Alaska Workers' Compensation Board ^State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):  Board of Massage Therapists  Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives  Occupational Safety & Health Review Board  Board of Examiners in Optometry  Board of Pharmacy  Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy  Board of Psychologists & Psychological Associate Examiners  Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers  Real Estate Commission  Board of Social Work Examiners  Board of Veterinary Examiners  Alaska Workers' Compensation Board  State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, & Land  Surveyors  3:40:03 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL turned the committee's attention to the remaining various boards and commissions. 3:42:26 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX moved to advance the confirmations for appointees referred to the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee for consideration to the joint session of the House and Senate for consideration. She reminded members that signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees, and the nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection. There being no objection, the confirmations were advanced. 3:43:00 PM The committee took a brief at-ease. HB 91-NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE  3:43:04 PM REPRESENTATIVE WOOL announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 91, "An Act relating to the practice of naturopathy; relating to the licensure of naturopaths; relating to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and providing for an effective date." 3:44:47 PM ERIN SHINE, Staff, Representative Jennifer Johnston, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 91 on behalf of Representative Johnston, prime sponsor. She paraphrased parts of the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which read in its entirety as follows [original punctuation provided]: House Bill 91, by establishing a clear scope of practice for naturopathic doctors, aims to allow these primary health care providers in Alaska to practice consistent with their education and training. Alaska's nearly 60 licensed naturopaths provide valuable health care services and can play an important role in helping address Alaska's primary care provider shortage. However, current state statue is vague as to the specific authorities of naturopaths, which has led to the adoption of some of the most restrictive naturopathic medicine regulations in the nation. For example, despite being trained to perform a range of minor office procedures, such as sutures, wart removal, IUD placement and removal, naturopaths are prohibited from performing any of these routine procedures in Alaska. Similarly, many naturopaths have accredited pharmacological training, yet under current regulation are prohibited from writing prescriptions and must instead refer patients to other providers even though those providers may have less advanced training. These overly restrictive regulations are causing many naturopaths to rethink practicing in Alaska. HB 91 would correct this by outlining clear statutory guidelines, including, among other things, allowing licensed naturopathic practitioners to perform minor office procedures and to prescribe vitamins, minerals, and other non-controlled substance medications. This same scope is being practiced safely in other states and by other healthcare providers in Alaska with equal or lesser training. Naturopathic medicine can provide valuable and complementary care in the Alaska health care setting. Many Alaskans struggle with basic health care access. The ability for naturopaths to practice the scope of medicine consistent with their training would immediately expand the availability of primary care in the state. Many Alaskans face challenges with chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. These are the sorts of issues for which naturopaths have clear tools to assist their patients. Naturopathic training focuses on disease prevention, rather than symptom and medication management alone. In the long-run, this type of care can provide cost-savings and improved health outcomes for consumers, insurers, and the state. HB 91 aims to let naturopathic medicine live up to this promise by allowing naturopathic doctors to practice within the scope of their training and education, thereby increasing competition in the healthcare sector and ensuring Alaskan's have a range of options when choosing the style of healthcare that's right for them. 3:51:14 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL asked for clarification on state regulation. MS. SHINE replied that in a regulated state, the governing body sets a criterion of qualifications that must be met; whereas in an unregulated state, it's possible for individuals to set up practices as naturopathic doctors (NDs) without oversight from the state. CO-CHAIR WOOL asked if NDs in unregulated states can prescribe drugs or do minor office procedures. MS. SHINE answered no. She offered her understanding that NDs must be registered or licensed within a state to be able to prescribe medications. Nonetheless, she noted that a ND who has set up practice in an unregulated state could be performing minor procedures without oversight from the state. 3:52:31 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked if NDs in Alaska are regulated even if they currently can't write prescriptions. MS. SHINE answered yes, they are regulated and cannot write prescriptions. CO-CHAIR LEDOUX questioned whether the current statute prohibits NDs from prescribing. MS. SHINE affirmed that. 3:52:58 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS indicated that there is an advantage in state regulation in terms of transparency for consumers. He asked Ms. Chambers if there is currently adequate authority within the Division of Corporations, Businesses, and Professional Licensing for someone who sets up a naturopathic practice without any knowledge or proficiency in the field. 3:53:33 PM SARA CHAMBERS, Director, Division of Corporations, Businesses, and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development, explained that, currently, NDs are a licensed profession in Alaska which gives the division authority to enforce the existing statutory and regulatory restrictions on NDs and to regulate unlicensed practices. REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS established a scenario in which an individual insists on advertising themselves as a ND even though he or she doesn't have the proper training. He asked if the division would have the ability to shut down that business. MS. CHAMBERS replied that they typically have that authority for all their licensed programs and professions; however, it's individualized within each statute. She stated that there is a process for those who practice any of their professions without a license and if it extends beyond their civil authority it would include law enforcement for criminal authority if needed. 3:55:08 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN inquired as to how long naturopathy has been a licensed profession in the state. MS. CHAMBERS answered since 1986. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN questioned the level of consumer concern and frequency of complaints about the practice of NDs. MS. CHAMBERS said there has been 33 complaints over the last 20 years, adding that most of those have been low level or ultimately found to be unsubstantiated. 3:57:14 PM REPRESENTATIVE WOOL sought clarification on the prescriptive authority that the current bill is seeking to grant NDs. MS. SHINE replied that the prescriptive authority being sought is noncontrolled substances and nonchemotherapeutic agents - everything else that would require a prescription would be allowed for NDs under their scope. 3:58:10 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX offered her understanding that the focus of naturopathic medicine was nature-based. She asked why a ND would need to write prescriptions for antibiotics or things that aren't "natural." MS. SHINE acknowledged that NDs focus on holistic healing; however, they are still trained to be able to prescribe as a last resort. She noted that as the number of naturopathic primary care providers increases, this would allow them to address their patients concerns if it gets to the point that an antibiotic or a birth control prescription would be warranted. 4:00:12 PM ABBY LAING, ND, Thrive Integrative Medicine; President, Alaska Association of Naturopathic Physicians, added that sometimes antibiotics are needed. A child with an ear infection, for example, is situational - sometimes the infections don't need to be treated with antibiotics and others do. If someone would prefer to treat things naturally, there's also the "wait and watch approach," in which case they would get a supplement or a nutraceutical as well as an antibiotic prescription in case the infection doesn't get better. She also pointed out that if a woman wanted to get a refill on her birth control prescription, she would have to do that through a different provider. 4:02:49 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX questioned whether there is a difference between NDs and medical doctors (MDs). MS. SHINE offered her understanding that both MDs and NDs have four-year degrees; however, completing a residency is required of physicians and optional for NDs. She further noted that they take different approaches to medicine. DR. LAING, in response to Representative LeDoux, explained that MDs are trained in specialties, while NDs focus on primary care. She also affirmed that a residency is required of all MDs in order to be licensed, except for those working at an urgent care facility. MS. SHINE pointed out that nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician's assistants (PAs) are practicing within a greater scope than what's being requested by NDs because they can prescribe controlled substances. 4:06:49 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL offered his understanding that PAs and NPs only prescribe under the direct supervision of a MD. He asked if this was correct. MS. SHINE confirmed that PAs are under the supervision of a MD, while NPs are not. CO-CHAIR WOOL asked if hormone therapy, steroids, or high blood pressure medicine would all fall under the prescriptive authority of a ND if this bill were to pass. DR. LAING explained that testosterone is classified as a controlled substance and therefore excluded from NDs' prescriptive authority under HB 91. She noted that controlled substances are contentious and not necessary to practice effectively. 4:09:34 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that HB 91 was held over. 4:09:51 PM The committee took an at-ease from 4:09 p.m. to 4:12 p.m. [Co-Chair Wool passed the gavel to Co-Chair LeDoux.] HB 102-RENTAL VEHICLE BY PRIVATE OWNER  4:12:42 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 102, "An Act relating to rental vehicles; relating to vehicle rental networks; relating to liability for vehicle rental taxes; and providing for an effective date." 4:12:57 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL, as prime sponsor of HB 102, introduced the bill and read the following sponsor statement [original punctuation provided]: The ways that Alaskans procure transportation services have changed over time. In the past, getting off a commercial flight and heading to the nearest rental car agency was common practice. Now, consumers are turning increasingly to ridesharing, car pooling, and rental vehicle network options to get around. Vehicle rental networks are rental car businesses that arrange or execute personal passenger vehicle rentals through a network of individual private vehicle owners, and are becoming a common alternative to traditional rental car options. HB 102 adds a definition for the new service of providing private vehicle rental programs, including these services into existing statutes that regulate car rental providers to reflect changes in how people secure transport in Alaska. It also extends the same laws and regulations which apply to rental car companies to private vehicle rental networks, including the payment of the State's Vehicle Rental Tax. Therefore, HB 102 brings equity to the rental industry for motor vehicles, and will generate additional income for the State's general fund as the private vehicle rental network industry continues to grow and diversify in the Alaskan economy. Please join me in supporting House Bill 102 to bring our statutes up to date and to incorporate this new industry into the existing language governing vehicle rentals in Alaska. 4:15:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked if internet-based car rental companies pay taxes. CO-CHAIR WOOL said they do not. 4:16:08 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES questioned whether any "peer-to-peer groups" have bricks-and-mortar buildings in Alaska. CO-CHAIR WOOL answered no. REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said she presumes their headquarters are out of state. CO-CHAIR WOOL confirmed that. REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked where they are headquartered out of. 4:16:50 PM ASHLEY STRAUCH, Staff, Representative Adam Wool, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Wool, prime sponsor of HB 102, stated that the largest [peer-to-peer] vehicle rental network is Turo, which is headquartered out of San Francisco, California. REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said it sounds like these companies, which operate out of state, do the bookkeeping for the rental of other people's vehicles within the state while paying no revenue to the state of Alaska; however, the rental car companies do pay taxes. She asked if this was correct. MS. STRAUCH affirmed that. REPRESENTATIVE STUTES surmised that the current bill "levels the playing field so everyone is playing the same game." MS. STRAUCH answered that is correct. 4:17:57 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked if the Department of Revenue (DOR) has tried to collect taxes from these [peer-to-peer] digitally based car rental companies. 4:18:35 PM BRANDON SPANOS, Deputy Director, Tax Division, Department of Revenue, noted that it's difficult to talk about specifics because of confidentiality statutes. Nonetheless, he stated that the statute does make it clear that the rental of a vehicle is taxable. He added that the current bill would clarify who is taxable. He divulged that the DOR has sent a request for records to some of the peer-to-peer companies to determine who is renting the vehicles, adding that one of those requests has turned into a subpoena. He explained that their subpoena language is lacking and doesn't allow the enforcement of tax subpoenas outside of Alaska; therefore, in order to enforce it they will have to take it to the other state's court unless there is a statute change. He further noted that other states that have bed taxes have dealt with the same issues with companies like Airbnb. 4:20:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS questioned whether the companies are refusing to share information and pay taxes even though they continue to operate in Alaska. MR. SPANOS clarified that they asked for records, not taxes, because its clear that the person renting the vehicle is the taxpayer and does owe the tax; however, they do not know who that person is. He added that peer-to-peer didn't exist when the statute was drafted so it doesn't implicitly state that those companies are the taxpayer, which makes it a grey area. REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented that its extraordinary that these companies are operating here and enabling car rentals without paying taxes. He opined that it sounds like tax evasion and the only remedy for that would be this bill. 4:21:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said it appears that HB 102 closes a loophole since this situation didn't exist when the statute was written. She asked if this is correct. 4:22:01 PM MS. STRAUCH acknowledged that this bill clarifies the language in statute of what constitutes a vehicle rental by including vehicle rental networks in the definition. CO-CHAIR LEDOUX sought clarification on whether it's the entity that does the bookkeeping or the consumer who rents the car that owes taxes. 4:22:30 PM MR. SPANOS replied that the statute currently reads, "there is imposed an excise tax on the charge for the lease of the rental vehicle," adding that it's assessed on the person who is renting out their vehicle. 4:23:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked Mr. Spanos if he worked for the DOR when Alaska established taxes for Airbnb and similar entities. MR. SPANOS said the state doesn't have a statewide bed tax. He explained that there are no state taxes on them unless the company is a corporation and the corporate income tax applies. He added that other states have dealt with this issue and created statutes to implicitly state that they are taxable. 4:24:16 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX questioned whether there is a statewide hotel bed tax in Alaska. MR. SPANOS stated that there is not a statewide bed tax; however, municipalities do have them. CO-CHAIR LEDOUX sought clarification on whether the municipalities tax Airbnb the same as hotels. MR. SPANOS offered that he has been told they are having trouble collecting taxes on those types of companies. Some, he said, have sought to change their ordinances to create an economic nexus for those companies. 4:25:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO recounted his experience with the Denali Borough tax structure and the overnight accommodations tax. He explained that everyone who provides nightly rentals is required to register with the Denali Borough and provide the overnight accommodations tax on their rack rate; whether that be a single cabin or a hotel campus with 400-500 rooms, they are all required to register and fulfill that. 4:26:21 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS offered his belief that Anchorage has a 12 percent bed tax that applies to Airbnb. 4:26:33 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL explained that the intention is to implement the tax into the [peer-to-peer] app itself, making it so the person renting the car will pay the rental fee plus the tax that will go to Turo, who in turn, will keep some of the rental fee for operating costs plus the tax, which they will then pay to the state. This would simplify the process for the state, because instead of taxing each individual renter they would only have to go after several companies. 4:28:16 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS noted that the existence of a bed tax has not inhibited Airbnb's growth. 4:28:35 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL added that this "centralized" system would be no different than Uber. He said that, instead of each individual driver paying tax to the city of Juneau, it all gets payed through the company itself. 4:29:17 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX announced that HB 102 was held over. 4:29:32 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:29 p.m.