Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/19/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB70 | |
| SB89 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 70 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 70-EMERGENCY MED SVCS; OPERATIONAL CANINES
[SCS CSHB 70(HSS) is before the committee.]
1:33:23 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL
NO. 70(L&C) am "An Act relating to emergency medical services
for operational canines; relating to the powers, duties, and
liability of emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive
care paramedics; relating to the practice of veterinary
medicine; and providing for an effective date."
1:33:46 PM
JEREMY HOUSTON, Staff, Representative Schrage, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the summary and sectional
analysis for HB 70.
[Original punctuation provided.]
House Bill 70 "Rico's Law"
An act relating to emergency medical services for
operational canines.
House Bill 70 empowers Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) personnel to deliver on-scene point-of injury
(POI) emergency care and transport for operational
canines (OpK9s). Operational canines are essential
members of law enforcement, other government
operations, and search-and-rescue teams. These
courageous animals amplify the success of countless
military, law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and
humanitarian missions. Their roles even extend to
police or fire chaplaincy during crises.
This bill is named "Rico's Law" in honor of Alaska
State Trooper K9 Rico, whose end of watch occurred on
March 26, 2017. Rico was fatally shot while heroically
attempting to apprehend a suspect after a lengthy
pursuit on the Parks Highway in Wasilla, Alaska. K9
Rico, like all operational canines, demonstrated
unwavering dedication, protecting, and defending his
community. These animals are more than just assets or
propertythey are teammates, partners, and family
members who deserve emergency care and transportation
rights. Operational canines, especially those deployed
in tactical or high-threat situations, face
significant risks of injury or preventable death.
Currently, Alaska lacks statutory authority allowing
EMS personnel to apply life-saving care to these
animals. Under current law, providing such care could
be deemed "practicing veterinary medicine without a
license," a violation under AS 08.98.120, carrying
severe penalties. The super-rural nature of Alaska
adds another dimension of acuity for our operational
canines outside of Alaska's major urban centers.
1:35:42 PM
MR. HOUSTON continued with the sponsor summary of SB 70:
Alaska's EMS professionals already possess the
equipment, supplies, and medications needed to adapt
existing prehospital standards of care for human
patients to operational canines. Training programs
like the K9 Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (K9 TECC)
course provide additional training for clinicians to
confidently manage operational canine emergencies. The
passage of this bill would eliminate legal barriers,
allowing EMS personnel to administer life-saving care
and transport injured operational canines to emergency
veterinary facilities.
With minimal investment by our participating EMS
services, Alaska EMS can ensure that our operational
canines have a fighting chance at survival when
injured in line of duty.
1:36:29 PM
MR. HOUSTON provided the sectional analysis as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
An act related to emergency medical services and
operational canines.
Section 1: Amends AS 08.98.120 to allow emergency
medical technicians and mobile intensive care
paramedics to perform emergency medical services on an
operational canine as authorized under AS 18.08.093
without a license to practice veterinary medicine.
Section 2: Adds one subsection to AS 09.65.097 which
ensures a veterinarian who receives the transfer of an
operational canine is not liable for civil damages as
a result of an act or omission of the EMT or paramedic
who transferred the operational canine to the
veterinarian.
Section 3: Amends AS 18.08.075(a) to authorize
emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive
care paramedic to enter a building or premises where a
report of an injury or illness has taken place, or
where there is reasonable cause to believe an
operational canine has been injured or is ill, to
render emergency medical care and direct the removal
of a motor vehicle or other thing determined necessary
to prevent further harm to operational canines.
Section 4: Amends AS 18.08.082(a) to direct the
Department of Heath to prescribe a course or other
requirements prerequisite to the issuance of
certificates or licenses that provide for
authorization for a licensed emergency medical
technician or mobile intensive care paramedic to
provide emergency medical services to an operational
canine as enumerated on a written document filed with
the department by the medical director and approved by
the department in regulation. Section 5: Amends AS
18.08.086(a) to provide for civil liability protection
to providers, or a director of a provider licensed
under AS 18.08.082 who administers emergency medical
services to an operational canine within the scope of
the person's certification or licensure and if the
operational canine reasonably seems to be in immediate
danger of serious harm or death. Section 6: Amends AS
18.08.087 to remove language limiting physicians,
advanced practice registered nurses, or physician
assistants' permission to disclose medical information
of a patient to emergency medical technicians and
mobile intensive care paramedics when the information
is not for the purpose of evaluating the performance
of an emergency medical technician, mobile intensive
care paramedic or physician.
Section 7: Adds two new subsections to AS 18.08.087.
The first allows licensed veterinarians to disclose
medical or hospital records of an operational canine
to an emergency medical technician or mobile intensive
care paramedic for the purpose of evaluating the
performance of an emergency medical technician or
mobile intensive care paramedic. The second adds
language restricting physicians, advanced practice
registered nurses, or physician assistants' permission
to disclose medical information of a patient to
emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive
care paramedics when the information is not for the
purpose of evaluating the performance of an emergency
medical technician, mobile intensive care paramedic or
physician.
1:39:55 PM
MR. HOUSTON continued with the sectional analysis:
Section 8: Adds one new section to AS 18.08 with three
subsections. Subsection (a) allows emergency medical
technicians or mobile intensive care paramedics to
provide emergency medical services to an operational
canine if the emergency medical technician or mobile
intensive care paramedic reasonably determines there
is immediate danger of serious harm to or death of the
operational canine, determines that a veterinarian is
unavailable to provide emergency medical services to
the operational canine soon enough to address the
danger, is authorized to provide emergency medical
services to an operational canine, and has informed
consent from the owner or someone authorized to make
medical decisions about the operational canine or is
providing medical service in accordance with a written
protocol developed by a veterinarian. Subsection (b)
requires the emergency medical technician or mobile
intensive care paramedic to transfer the operational
canine to a licensed veterinarian at the earliest
practicable opportunity. Subsection (c) prohibits
emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive
care paramedics to provide care to operational canines
if a person requires emergency medical services.
Section 9: Amends AS 18.08.200 to define
"veterinarian" in this chapter the same as it is under
AS 08.98 and "operational canine" as a dog used by law
enforcement or other government operations; or in
search and rescue operations.
Section 10: Sets an effective date of January 1st,
2026.
1:41:50 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced invited testimony on SB 70.
1:42:06 PM
BRIAN WEBB, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by
invitation on HB 70. He read the following:
[Original punctuation provided.]
This bill came from real-world experiences of Alaska
EMS clinicians who had to treat injured op canines in
the field while knowing there were stiff penalties by
doing so. It was illegal and ethical grades don't
navigate it. That is until now.
HB 70 brings clarity, compassion, and a responsible
framework. Support for it has grown steadily with our
state and national supporters and working with the 13
other states that have enacted similar laws, Alaska's
blend of urban and rural response transport realities
was always in the forefront.
HB 70 is unique in how fast the legislative phase is
moved and how we're using that momentum. While I
anticipated starting the design and implementation
phases after the next legislative session was over,
the Design phase starting now. EMS leadership and our
veterinary partners are already developing a
collaborative advisory panel to assess national
training curricula, protocols, and a service level
application process.
So we had to blend all the phases of legislative
design and implementation in near real time. This
created an accelerated path to implementation. along
with the regulatory and clinical oversight are well
filed.
And this is how public safety should work. Co-
actively, collaboratively, and with urgency.
1:44:02 PM
SENATOR MERRICK asked for clarification about an email from Mr.
Webb stating he had reached over the aisle because of the flip
of the House Majority and did what was needed to help protect
Alaska's EMS and operational canines. She asked if Mr. Webb
could explain what he meant.
1:44:28 PM
MR. WEBB explained that in the last legislature he authored
House Bill 57 for EMS quality assurance, with Representative
Stanley Wright who wasn't reelected. He then asked Anchorage
Representative Calvin Schrage to carry the bill. He stated
opposition came mostly from concerns about implementation before
the bill even had a chance to pass. He mentioned there were some
House members that voted against the bill.
1:46:05 PM
SENATOR MERRICK stated Representative Schrage is non-partisan.
1:46:36 PM
MELISSA EDWARDS, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified by
invitation on HB 70. She read the following testimony:
[Original punctuation provided.]
I am in support, as a private individual, of HB70 as
it helps provide a legal framework by which EMS
providers can provide pre-hospital care for
operational canines in Alaska.
Since the first legislation passed in Colorado in
2014, multiple states have enacted laws allowing EMS
to provide care for operational canines. During that
time there have been numerous guidelines and protocols
established including the adaptation of the military
K9 tactical combat casualty care guidelines to the
civilian environment and state programs ranging from
basic care examples like Massachusetts Nero's law to
more developed programs like Maine's Operational
Canine Care Protocols as examples. "Best practice
recommendations for prehospital veterinary care of
dogs and cats" have also been published. Several
organizations including NAVEMS actively provide
veterinary pre-hospital care training for K9 handlers
and EMS. NAVEMS has also been providing train-the-
trainer courses to veterinary professionals and is
actively involved in providing evidence-based
guidelines for veterinary pre-hospital care and
establishing national accreditation standards for
training courses at all levels of care from K9
handlers to paramedics. With proper evidence-based,
veterinarian directed training, medical control and
direction, EMS providers can provide resuscitative
point of injury care and transport of operational
Canines safely and successfully.
Personally, having experience in providing veterinary
care in both remote and urban areas of Alaska and
training EMS providers in veterinary pre-hospital
care, I would be honored to participate on an advisory
panel to develop appropriate protocols and training
guidelines for Alaska should this be passed.
1:49:12 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on HB 70.
1:49:37 PM
MCKAYLA DICK, Member, Alaska Veterinary Medical Association
(ALVMA), North Pole, Alaska, testified in opposition to HB 70.
She stated that although she and Mr. Webb are working towards
establishing a board, she proposed the development of an
advisory panel of veterinarians, EMTs, and medical directors to
ensure animals receive appropriate and timely care. She said she
would gladly serve on the panel and recommends involving the
Board of Veterinary Examiners.
1:51:23 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN stated that HB 70 includes several protections
for veterinary medicine, like ensuring EMS personnel quickly get
animals to a vet, and involve vets in care guidelines and
responder training. He asked what specific changes or safeguards
were wanted from the Alaska Veterinary Medical Association.
1:52:24 PM
MS. DICK stated that the Alaska Veterinary Medical Association
is pro HB 70, regarding first aid and transport. She stated the
concerns are with the aspects involving the practice of
veterinary medicine. She stated veterinarians want to be part of
the decision-making for patients. She said that with today's
technology AVMA and EMTs can easily collaborate to stay aligned.
1:54:34 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on HB 70.
1:54:38 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN commented that HB 70 was thoroughly reviewed in
the other body and stated his belief that it included strong
safeguards to promote collaboration between vets and EMS. He
opined that the dogs are left unprotected for another year if
action is delayed.
1:55:27 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
1:55:28 PM
SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SCS CSHB 70(HSS), work order 34-
LS0245\H, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
1:55:41 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SCS CSHB 70(HSS) was
reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
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