Legislature(1999 - 2000)
02/02/1999 01:05 PM House TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 2 - REGISTRATION PLATES FOR DISABLED
CHAIR MASEK announced the first order of business was House Bill
No. 2, "An Act relating to issuance of a motor vehicle registration
plate to or parking permit for a person who is disabled."
REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES, Alaska State Legislature, came
forward to testify as sponsor of HB 2. She read the following
sponsor statement into the record:
House Bill 2 makes one simple change to Title 28, "Vehicle
Registration and Title," allowing licensed nurse practitioners
to provide proof of disability for veterans to receive
specially designed license plates.
Currently, only licensed physicians are authorized to provide
proof of disability. Alaska has many medical facilities in
both rural and urban settings where a nurse practitioner is
the only licensed medical person available, and this bill
would allow much-needed flexibility.
Number 0215
REPRESENTATIVE KEMPLEN questioned how an advanced nurse
practitioner (ANP) would know that an individual was 70 percent
disabled.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMES pointed out that many individuals have already
had that evaluation done somewhere else. She explained that the
particular person who asked her to file this piece of legislation
is a nurse practitioner who works with veterans, and their
disability has often already been established.
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON asked if this bill would apply to other
disabled individuals besides veterans.
Number 0418
MIKE FORD, Attorney, Legislative Legal and Research Services,
Legislative Affairs Agency, was introduced by Representative James
to respond to Representative Hudson's question. He indicated that
HB 2 would apply to all kinds of disabled persons, not just
veterans.
CHAIR MASEK sought clarification as to what percentage of people
who qualify would be impacted by this bill.
MR. FORD did not have the specific number of Alaskans who qualify
for disability plates or permits; however, he emphasized that this
legislation would apply to 100 percent of those who qualify. He
added that this bill would greatly benefit individuals in areas
without a resident physician.
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON commented that although this bill does not
have a fiscal note, it would create a positive financial benefit
for Alaskans.
Number 0537
REPRESENTATIVE KEMPLEN inquired as to how disability is defined,
and wondered if all that is needed is a written statement to that
effect.
MR. FORD confirmed that a written statement is needed, and he
referred the committee to the standard in the statute located on
lines 7 and 8 which describes a "disability that limits or impairs
the ability to walk as defined in 23 C.F.R. 1235.2." It would
become the responsibility of the physician and/or nurse
practitioner to determine if these criteria are met.
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON began a motion to move HB 2 out of committee;
however, upon hearing that someone was waiting on teleconference to
testify, he withdrew his motion.
Number 0865
EDWARD L. KNOEBEL testified via teleconference from Glenallen. He
suggested that the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) might save
money by using the current veteran's purple heart plate and simply
adding a sticker to it.
MR. FORD believed that the DMV has considered that; however, under
this section, the category "disabled" can apply to a number of
individuals besides veterans. He deferred further clarification to
the DMV, but felt they like to keep those categories separate. He
added that the "70 percent level" is only for those that do not
otherwise qualify under federal law; an individual's level of
disability does not necessarily have to rise to 70 percent.
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON explained that Mr. Knoebel's recommendation
does not apply to HB 2, which is to allow advanced nurse
practitioners to authorize disability, as this bill does not
concern itself with costs involved with plates.
Number 1164
ANNE M. LILLEY, Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Department of
Veteran Affairs, testified in support of HB 2 via teleconference
from Fairbanks. She read the following written testimony into the
record:
I would like to thank you for sponsoring a bill to allow nurse
practitioners to fill out the required forms for handicap
parking permits issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
As you may know, in Fairbanks the Veteran's Administration
sponsors some physician care in the community, but the clinic
here has no physician on staff and I serve as the primary care
provider for many veterans in Fairbanks. Many of the veterans
are ineligible for care in the community unless they have a
medical condition that requires physician follow-up. As a
result, if they need a handicap parking permit, they need to
pay for a new patient visit at a local physician's office
solely for the purpose of having the form filled out.
Many of our patients, especially those with disabilities, are
on limited fixed incomes and this represents a significant
financial burden, as well as inappropriate use of health care
resources. Because these patients are well known to me, it
takes very little time for me to fill out the form.
Many people in Alaska, especially in rural areas, identify
nurse practitioners and physician assistants as their sole
health care providers. We need to be able to provide health
care information in an official capacity to the DMV, the
Division of Public Health, and other state agencies when our
patients request our assistance in obtaining services from
these agencies.
Number 1256
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON made a motion to move HB 2 from the committee
with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal
note(s). He asked unanimous consent. There being no objection, HB
2 moved from the House Transportation Standing Committee.
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