MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Zack Fields, Co-Chair Representative Ivy Spohnholz, Co-Chair Representative Calvin Schrage Representative Liz Snyder Representative James Kaufman Representative Ken McCarty MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative David Nelson COMMITTEE CALENDAR    HOUSE BILL NO. 30 "An Act relating benefits; relating benefits in the case to the payment of providing for an effective date." - MOVED HB 30 OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 149 "An Act relating to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining." - HEARD & HELD HOUSE BILL NO. 110 "An Act raising the possess tobacco, a smoking product; r containing nicotine, to the taxation of for an effective date." - HEARD & HELD CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): State Board of Registration For Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors Jake Maxwell - Anchorage Arpad "Bruce" Magyar - Anchorage Catherine Fritz- Juneau - CONFIRMATION(S) State Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board Nathan Missler - Anchorage - CONFIRMATION(S) Board of Dental Examiners Christina Hansen Bradley Heaston - Anchorage Gregory Johnson - Fairbanks - CONFIRMATION(S) Board Of Examiners Pamela Steffes - Sitka Michael Mavencamp - Fairbanks - CONFIRMATION(S) Board of Marital & Family Therapy Richard Clampitt - Palmer Joy Collins - Anchorage Kayla Green - Eagle River - CONFIRMATION(S) Board of Professional Sammie O'Neal - Eagle River Eleanor Vinson - Juneau - CONFIRMATION(S) Board of Psychologist & Psychological Associate Examiners Bernard Gatewood - Fairbanks Bradley McConnell - Anchorage Sherri Scott - Anchorage - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Board of Social Work Examiners Brandon Ercanbrack - Kotzebue - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED Regulatory Commission of Alaska Robert Pickett - Palmer Keith Kurber - Fairbanks - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB 30 SHORT TITLE: WORKERS' COMP: DEATH; PERM PARTIAL IMPAIR SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOSEPHSON 02/18/21 (H) 02/18/21 (H) 02/18/21 (H) 03/03/21 (H) 03/03/21 (H) 03/03/21 (H) 04/05/21 (H) BILL: HB 149 SHORT TITLE: CHILD CARE PROVIDER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) FIELDS 03/24/21 (H) 03/24/21 (H) 04/02/21 (H) 04/02/21 (H) 04/05/21 (H) BILL: HB 110 SHORT TITLE: AGE FOR NICOTINE/E-CIG; TAX E-CIG. SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HANNAN 02/24/21 (H) 02/24/21 (H) 03/17/21 (H) 03/17/21 (H) 03/17/21 (H) 04/05/21 (H) WITNESS REGISTER CHARLES COLLINS, Director Division of Workers' Compensation Department of Labor and Workforce Development Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB 30. KIMBERLY ROSENBERGER Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Sacramento, California POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a presentation on HB 149. TRISTAN WALSH, Staff Representative Fields Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis on HB 149 on behalf of Representative Fields, prime sponsor. DANIEL WAYNE, Attorney Legislative Legal Counsel Legislative Legal and Research Services Legislative Affairs Agency (LAA) Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB 149. REPRESENTATIVE SARA HANNAN Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 110 as prime sponsor. EMILY NENON, Alaska Government Relations Director American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 110. ACTION NARRATIVE 4:04:08 PM CO-CHAIR IVY SPOHNHOLZ Standing Committee Representatives Kaufman, were present at arrived as the meeting was in progress. 4:05:25 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ would be HOUSE BILL workers' compensation workers' compensation impairment; relating death benefits; and providing for an effective date." 4:05:57 PM CHARLES COLLINS, Di Department of Labor congratulating the premiums down, and eighth year in a ro employers. He added because some things adjusted for many is the only path that repairment after [workers' compensation] have been a number occurring in 2005. MR. COLLINS shared inform the Division has occurred on the division gets a report occasionally a medical process goes smoothly, rehabilitated and "90-plus percent" that occasionally, to rehabilitation that is brought b situation is rare, compared to 17,000 lawyers and employee He said that under employee is only consultation. If counsel gets paid th the employer, and burden of that cost. 4:10:37 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ invited questions from the committee. 4:10:56 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ ascertaining that closed public testimony. 4:11:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN Sectional Analysis, provided]: Section 2: 23.30.190(a), compensation $177,000 (2000 inflation and the national average. REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN average in the year 2000. MR. COLLINS responded $177,000 was at the the baseline was changed to bring Alaska closer that due to inflation, again to align itself Representative Josephson proposed in HB 30. REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN complicated and that through. MR. COLLINS replied whole body impairment used as a starting explained that some compensation out by whole body. The American Medical Associa compensation amount he reiterated has not been updated in 21 years. 4:15:22 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ invited questions from the committee. 4:15:45 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved individual recommendations There being no objection, Labor and Commerce Standing Committee. 4:16:07 PM The committee took an at-ease from 4:16 p.m. to 4:17 p.m. 4:17:13 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ would be HOUSE BILL certain child day collective bargaining." 4:17:32 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS introduced that he thought it the gender pay gap, the devastation the the COVID-19 pandemic. entitled, "Raising 149)," and covered read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Persistent turnover and inadequate supply of child care workers. Low wages/benefits instruction CO-CHAIR FIELDS proceeded explained that inadequate leave Alaska and explained that while Alaska may actually small state. The provided]: ? Alaska needs including parents population among age 30- 50) ? Early childhood human capital development, and highest ROI CO-CHAIR FIELDS ad States/Nations," which provided]: ? 11 U.S. structures for bargain with benefits that expand supply of child care providers ? First state: state to adopt model. ? European countr centers for parents tax credits ? And Northern wages/benefits CO-CHAIR FIELDS stated other states are a this bill to spark open to there being implement to solve this problem. CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved and shared his understanding workers make middleclass policy decision. should be done for [original punctuation provided]: ? Collective Bargaining (U.S. model / H.B. 149) construction policy model) ? Directly subsidize (Europe model) 4:21:59 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS proceeded follows [original punctuation provided]: most effectively, need the right policy framework industry and working families recover CO-CHAIR FIELDS added proposed differently providers are allowed engage in bargaining. 4:23:37 PM KIMBERLY ROSENBERGER, (SEIU), offered a Providers' Vision relates to the assembly that authorized child She began on slide punctuation provided]: Similar to 11 other states. Bill enables: ? Election to choose union ? Collective bargaining ? Training partnership MS. ROSENBERGER added providers are considered covered by a number were considered low SEIU had to get an State of California bargaining outweighs the risk of anti-competition. MS. ROSENBERGER showed follows [original punctuation provided]: Also covers the following: ? Set of topics standard to many labor laws ? Current labor law did not cover providers ? Defines who is included: Includes licensed and license-exempt ? Not assistants or centers 4:26:08 PM MS. ROSENBERGER continue Scope," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Addressed in section 8434.5 of bill ?uni0020uni004Cuni0069uni0073uni0074uni0073uni0020uni0072uni0065uni0071uni0075uni0069uni0072un provider retention/recruitment ? Funding must be passed by Legislature ? Does not include non-state controlled topics MS. ROSENBERGER moved which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Addressed in section 8434 of bill ? Adapts law for many CA public employees ? Includes: ? Show provider interest ? List of eligible voters ? Notifying providers ? Timelines, other guidance MS. ROSENBERGER advanced explained that training remain open while al read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Addressed in section 8442 of bill ? Shorter language in final bill training, professional development $, programs others possible 4:28:01 PM MS. ROSENBERGER proceeded read as follows [original punctuation provided]: their union. Typical improvements: nontraditional hours ? Health care thru a union trust ? Voice in regulation and quality improvement ? Expanded training ? Smoother eligibility process for parents MS. ROSENBERGER reminded newest state to join being part of the union. 4:29:03 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ invited questions from the committee. 4:29:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN states are that have joined the union. MS. ROSENBERGER asked noted that there is could share with the committee. 4:29:49 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS respon Iowa, New Jersey, Mi to join the union Pennsylvania, Kansas, joined. 4:30:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN go up, and asked how that improves accessibility. CO-CHAIR FIELDS answered election overseen which has provided stated that small bu quality and affordable would make it easier He reiterated that more efficient system, results in lower individual wants to level of care is not care workers are considere some of this is people of color, and States Congress didn't to people of color. workers, and women rights. 4:33:04 PM MS. ROSENBERGER added after implementing and training has been field. She stated of a return on maintaining the workers that have entered the field already. 4:33:56 PM REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER professionals for her worker through Thread, was a small, in-home affect someone like her. CO-CHAIR FIELDS resp unionize. He emphasized providers the mechanisms model and supply professionals need. 4:35:10 PM MS. ROSENBERGER said from child care provide whether to opt in to those who receive providers have chosen training mechanisms voice when it comes shared that there who have opted in. 4:36:20 PM TRISTAN WALSH, Staff, Legislature, presented behalf of Representative Sections 1-10, which provided]: Section 1: Th declaration of Relations Act, to include child day care providers. Section 2: This child day care join or assist and engage in collective barga protection. Section 3: This child day care collective bargaining unit. Section 4: This include child regarding the organizations for collective bargaining. Section 5: This child day care the labor relations on representation question of representation exists. Section 6: This child day care unfair labor pr of the public employer. Section 7: This 23.40.205, regarding benefits. Section 8: This conforming changes. Section 9: This child day care care provider have the right of non-association. Section 10: This language that makes child public employees, not form or ter change a child entity, corporation declares nothing with compliance subdivision of requirement of states that nothing care provider employer or a child day care process or administer payments for day care. 4:39:36 PM MR. WALSH explained in definition. 4:39:46 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ statute being updated of a public employee but the bill does employees. CO-CHAIR FIELDS responded workers are not becoming given a mechanism to bargain in the child care sector. CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ of law in which to put the bill. CO-CHAIR FIELDS replie exclusion from the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). 4:40:29 PM MS. ROSENBERGER explained important is because status as a small already in regard to between the state allow the businesses relationship. CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ from Legislative Legal and Research Services. 4:41:25 PM DANIEL WAYNE, Attorney, Legal and Research reiterated that this the other aforementioned would broaden the labor issues for referring to other workers, then Alaska regulating labor in are already covered covered. 4:43:03 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS added of child care, there form a union. For for small businesses in the industry to work together. 4:43:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY stating that while entity of the state, state, but are "subsidized with the state." MR. WAYNE responded said he doesn't anyone. The bill labor disputes and public employers, he explained. 4:44:49 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS shared bargaining," where section of an industry. a fairly outdated bargaining based on sexist history where NLRA. This bill framework to one federal labor law, bargaining with the it is that the bill bargaining for small businesses. 4:45:55 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ introductory hearing, discuss HB 149 in the future. 4:46:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY is subsidizing the point. CO-CHAIR FIELDS responded based on eligibility continue if this bill chooses to subsidize HB 149 would allow In closing, he shared improve child care, to address the issue. 4:47:45 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that HB 149 was held over. 4:47:54 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ would be HOUSE BILL purchase, sell, containing nicotine, to transporting tobacco, electronic smoking electronic smoking date." 4:48:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE SARA that HB 110 would change the state law confirmation with t 19 to 21; and it cigarettes or "e-cigarettes." tobacco depending on the last time tobacco e-cigarettes weren't that currently, there She made the distinction the same rate as did exist when the cannabis industry began in Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN Alaska State Legislature, do the same things them into one bill. appears long and complicat number of places in highly regulated government has always has been a disruption cigarettes because do not typically end up being sold by the same retailers. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN popular among young under the age of conducts a national and between 2017 and in the use of e-cigarettes been a downturn in become an "entre i She stated that nicotine by adding e-cigarettes cigarettes can be from buying them, nicotine. She noted people that e-cigarettes products, but there Conversely, research quickly with the absorption is much higher. 4:53:35 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN bill is to discourage Alaska's laws to revenue. She added cigarettes products require age-verification are delivered to them. 4:55:12 PM EMILY NENON, Alaska Cancer Society Cancer working on tobacco she works closely American Lung Association. is a critical strategy preventing youth from she continued. She three strategies that tobacco use. comprehensive prevention workplaces. She stated the 2004 tobacco tax tax statute hasn't said that the market the latest generation of e-cigarette products. These e- cigarette products flavored nicotine. "throat hit" of nicoti these products are a greater risk of developing an ongoing addiction. MS. NENON continued Action Network shares e-cigarettes. She these e-cigarettes cigarettes?" She combusted cigarette 70 of those are agents. It is no combusted cigarette, organizations do possessing tobacco to tobacco cessation for being addicted to them. 4:59:30 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ invited questions from the committee. 5:01:22 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN both sides of this taxes will increase shares this concern. 5:02:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN This would add tax tax. She added that but anyone who is purchasing and consuming whether, by adding a better control on the black market that already exists. 5:03:05 PM MS. NENON shared th that comes up often She highlighted that consider, as most us and buy tobacco products this bill is timely in federal law regulations e-cigarette products. emphasis on catching market than there shipping will help with that as well. REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN discussion is that smoking cigarettes. to that argument. MS. NENON responded to quit is to use tobacco cessation p standards. She said have its products the FDA. She emphasized cessation products. kids from ever starting added. 5:06:27 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS added out, they were marketed that marketing device to kids who were and flavors to appeal "big tobacco" took concluded that if stop smoking were considered smoking companies wouldn't kids. CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ member who used to e-cigarettes, and smells different." 5:07:29 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN bill and explained cessation products statutes. 5:08:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY is being implemented in other states. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN said that she has but she may have information. 5:09:29 PM MS. NENON responded implementation up state has its own la so that the state federal requirements successful compliance like to be able to on the FDA, but nation. 5:10:17 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that HB 110 was held over. ^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): ^State Board of Registr Surveyors ^State Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board ^Board of Dental Examiners ^Board of Examiners in Optometry ^Board of Marital & Family Therapy ^Board of Professional Counselors ^Board of Psychologist & Psychological Associate Examiners ^Board of Social Work Examiners ^Regulatory Commission of Alaska   5:10:51 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ would be confirmation governor's appointees to the various boards and commissions. CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ Standing Committee following governor's Maxwell, Arpad "Bruce" Board of Registration Surveyors; Nathan Occupational Therapy and Gregory Johnson Steffes and Michael Optometry; Richard Board of Marital and Vinson to the Bo Gatewood, Bradley Psychologist and Ercanbrack to the Pickett and Keith Ku She noted that each in no way reflects session. There advanced. 5:12:34 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further Labor and Commerce 5:12 p.m.