SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE March 22, 2010 1:35 p.m. 1:35:00 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair Senator Johnny Ellis Senator Dennis Egan Senator Donny Olson Senator Joe Thomas MEMBERS ABSENT None ALSO PRESENT Tim Benintendi, Staff, Senator Olson; Pat Davidson, Legislative Budget & Audit; Josh Applebee, Staff, Kevin Meyer. PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Dirk White, Member, Board of Pharmacy. SUMMARY SB 247 EXTENDING BOARD OF PHARMACY SB 247 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. SB 248 EXTEND BD OF MARITAL & FAMILY THERAPY SB 248 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. SB 262 EXTEND BOARD OF SOCIAL WORK EXAMINERS SB 262 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. SB 263 EXTEND BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS SB 263 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. 1:35:09 PM SENATE BILL NO. 247 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Pharmacy; and providing for an effective date." TIM BENINTENDI, STAFF, SENATOR OLSON, reviewed the legislation. He noted that the Committee Substitute (CS) for SB 247 would extend the board of pharmacists until June 30, 2018, conforming to the recommendation of Legislative Budget & Audit. He explained that the original version of the bill had an extension renewal date of 2015. The board is composed of seven members. The fiscal note accommodates travel for members and two staff for a minimum of three meetings a year. The audit recommends the board approve collaborative protocols in accordance with the regulations. The audit relayed that board support from the department could be more substantial. The final recommendation was that the governor makes more timely appointments with the board. Co-Chair Stedman pointed out one fiscal note showing the cost of $130 thousand for the continuation of the board. 1:38:30 PM DIRK WHITE, MEMBER, BOARD OF PHARMACY (via teleconference), discussed the board's missions. He testified in support of the legislation. He noted that policies have changed to address the audit. PAT DAVIDSON, LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT, testified in support of the legislation. She mentioned the recommended changes. She noted that the board of pharmacy received an appropriation of $500 thousand. 1:42:10 PM Senator Olson asked how many licenses have been revoked or suspended. Ms. Davidson reported that during a four year period the board addressed 29 licensing actions, 36 cases closed due to insufficient evidence, 28 licensees received an advisement letter or compliance letter, and 19 cases left open. SB 247 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. SENATE BILL NO. 248 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Marital and Family Therapy; and providing for an effective date." 1:43:13 PM Senator Olson discussed SB 248, which extends the board of marital and family therapists until 2014. He noted that the auditors recommend an extension of the board. Ms. Davidson recommended a shorter extension date. The concern is that the board had postponed a regulations project because of ongoing financial issues. Each professional board must be financially self sufficient. The fees must cover the cost of the board, its travel, and the regulation projects. One of the main advantages of a professional board is that they develop the regulations and keep the licensing requirements current with professional practices. Recommendations include sufficient administrative support, and timely appointments with the office of the governor. Co-Chair Stedman mentioned one fiscal note from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development showing the cost of continuing the board at $23 thousand in receipt supported services. SB 248 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. 1:46:37 PM SENATE BILL NO. 262 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Social Work Examiners; and providing for an effective date." 1:46:43 PM JOSH APPLEBEE, STAFF, KEVIN MEYER, discussed the legislation, which would extend the sunset for the board of social work examiners to June 30, 2018. The board of social work examiners was established for the purpose of controlling and regulating the practice of social work. A licensed social worker applies established social work principles and methods to help individuals achieve more adequate and satisfying social adjustments. It was the opinion of legislative budget and audit that social work examiners continue to regulate social workers. The board serves the public interest by promoting the competence and integrity of those who provide services to the public as licensed social workers. Co-Chair Stedman noted a printing error on the schedules of revenues and expenditures for the board. He mentioned one fiscal note from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Ms. Davidson stated that there was a printing error in the provided document and on the website. She informed that she has no recommendations associated with the financial matters for the board. She pointed out that this was the only board that did not have a recommendation for more timely appointments with the office of the governor. She mentioned the recommendation for improved administrative board support. She recommended that the board be extended until June 30, 2018. SB 262 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. SENATE BILL NO. 263 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Professional Counselors; and providing for an effective date." 1:50:32 PM Mr. Applebee presented SB 263, which extends the sunset for the board of professional counselors to June 30, 2018. The board of professional counselors was established under the provisions of Alaska statute and consists of five members appointed by the governor. The opinion of Legislative Budget & Audit is that the board of professional counselors continues to regulate professional counselors who are serving the public interest by promoting the competence and integrity to those who provide service to the public as licensed professional counselors. Co-Chair Stedman mentioned the fiscal note from Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development showing the cost of the board at $50 thousand in receipt supported services. Ms. Davidson noted that the recommendation is for board extension to June 30, 2018. She mentioned four recommendations in the report. The recommendations include more timely appointments with the office of the governor, increased administrative support, and two issues relating to investigations that were not done in a timely manner. A final recommendation was made that any information coming to the attention of the licensing examiner related to any complaint or investigation should be forwarded. The recommendation was the result of a case of insufficient communication between the licensee, examiner and the division's investigators. SB 263 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. 1:54:00 PM ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:54 PM.