Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/07/2005 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB83 | |
| HB149 | |
| HB136 | |
| HB123 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | HB 123 | ||
| + | HB 136 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | HB 149 | ||
HOUSE BILL NO. 123
"An Act relating to occupational licensing fees and
receipts; extending the termination dates of the Boards
of Barbers and Hairdressers, Social Work Examiners,
Pharmacy, Professional Counselors, Psychologist and
Psychological Associate Examiners, and Veterinary
Examiners; relating to an exemption that allows one
bill to continue more than one board, commission, or
agency program; and providing for an effective date."
JOSH APPLEBEE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE TOM ANDERSON, sponsor
of HB 123, explained that the bill extends the sunset for
several boards. The dates were extended to meet the
requirements of the legislative audit.
Representative Weyhrauch wondered why the boards are audited
together in this bill. Mr. Applebee replied that it is an
experiment that has turned out not to be as efficient as
originally intended.
2:53:41 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze asked why it is not efficient. Mr.
Applebee explained that six boards were selected and soon
different interests pulled the bill in different directions.
Vice-Chair Stoltze opined that there could be a tendency to
bog down on multiple sunsets.
RICK URION, DIRECTOR, OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, explained sections 1, 2,
3, 4, and 11 of the bill. He explained that what it costs
to regulate a particular profession is what the license cost
is. Fines generated can be used to establish fees for
licensees. The law requires regulation by profession at the
board level. For example if there was a case against a
physician's assistant under existing law, whatever that cost
is would be borne only by physician's assistants. Every
licensed profession supports these amendments.
2:59:26 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze mentioned that barbers complain about
bearing more costs due to tattoo artists' fines. He
wondered if that is true.
Mr. Urion said no. Vice-Chair Stoltze repeated that it is a
big complaint. Mr. Urion said he could recall no complaints
by the barber board.
3:02:10 PM
ROBERT LANE, ALASKA PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE,
(via teleconference) spoke in support of HB 123. He asked
for an amendment that would keep license agreements
reciprocal throughout the nation and Canada.
CINDY BUEHLER, CHAIR, ALASKA STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY,
ANCHORAGE, (via teleconference) voiced support of HB 123.
3:04:37 PM
PAT DAVIDSON, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, LEGISLATIVE AUDIT
DIVISION, spoke about audits conducted under the various
boards and the recommendations for extensions. She
elaborated upon each board's requirements.
3:08:03 PM
Representative Weyhrauch referred to Section 11, the fee
extension. Ms. Davidson noted that funds would be moved
into a program receipt form. She observed that the fines and
the penalties vary. She explained that individual boards
vary greatly and gave examples.
3:10:25 PM
Representative Weyhrauch questioned if general fund receipts
would be needed. Ms. Davidson affirmed that they would.
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1:
Page 1, line 1
After "receipts;"
Insert "licensing credentials;"
Page 4
After line 21
Insert new section
"* Sec. 11.AS 08.86.150 is amended to read:
AS 08.86.150 License by credentials. A person who
is licensed or certified as a psychologist by a
licensing authority other than the state is entitled to
be licensed in the state without examination of the
person applies on the proper application form, submits
proof of continued competence as required by regulation
of the board, pays the credential review fee, and the
person
(1) holds a doctoral degree with primary emphasis
on psychology that satisfies the requirements of
AS 08.86.130 and the examination and qualification
requirements for the person's out-of-state license
or certificate were essentially similar to or
higher than the examination and qualification
requirements for licensure under this chapter;
[OR]
(2) is a diplomate in good standing of the
American Board of Professional Psychology[.];or
(3) is certified or registered with a
credentialing organization in psychology approved
by the board in regulation, and with requirements
essentially similar to or higher than the
requirements for licensure under this chapter.
Renumber the remaining sections accordingly.
Co-Chair Chenault OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
JOHN WALSH, LOBBYIST, ALASKA PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION,
JUNEAU, explained that Amendment 1 expands AS 08.86.150,
licensing by credentials, and allows a person who is
certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology
to be licensed, as well as a person who is registered by a
credentialing organization that has been approved by the
board.
3:13:08 PM
Dr. Lane noted that there are two boards that keep track of
credentials for purpose of certification. There are 26
states that have passed similar legislation. There are
another 18 states in the works on similar legislation. He
stressed that the amendment would allow Alaska to keep up
with national trends.
Co-Chair Chenault WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
Mr. Walsh noted that the board would still be required to
make regulations.
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:16:30 PM.
Representative Weyhrauch MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 2:
Page 1, line 5, following "program;":
Insert "providing that pharmacists are to be considered
health care providers in all instances in the Alaska
Statutes in which that term or its definition does not
already contain an explicit reference to pharmacists;"
Page 4, following line 21:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 11. AS 08.80 is amended by adding a new
section to read:
Sec. 08.80.015. Pharmacists as health care
providers. In all instances in the Alaska Statutes in
which the term "health care provider" or the definition
of the term "health care provider" does not contain an
explicit reference to pharmacist, the term "health care
provider" shall be considered to refer to or include a
pharmacist."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Representative Hawker OBJECTED for the purpose of
discussion.
Vice-Chair Stoltze stated asked for additional information
regarding costs.
BARRY CHRISTENSEN, ALASKA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE,
(via teleconference) testified in support of the
legislation. He noted that the amendment would recognize
pharmacists as health care providers in Alaska for Medicaid
purposes. The amendment would not change the scope of their
practice. He maintained that there would be no increase in
fiscal responsibility to pharmacists.
3:20:59 PM
In response to a question by Co-Chair Chenault, Mr.
Christensen acknowledged that the amendment would allow them
to bill health care providers, but emphasized that it would
not require them to pay.
Co-Chair Chenault expressed concern that the amendment could
result in a rather larger fiscal note.
Vice-Chair Stoltze asked if the amendment would open the
door for pharmacists to prescribe medications.
3:23:56 PM
Mr. Christensen noted that the legislation would not expand
the scope of practice. Vice-Chair Stoltze observed that
simple issues can be expanded through the courts. He
stressed that it is a major policy issue.
CAREN ROBINSON, LOBBYIST, explained that the intent is to
add the provider status language to the definition section.
She maintained that would be an appropriate amendment. She
referred to HB 95, a public health bill passed earlier this
week, which defined health care providers. She also
referred to HB 85, which allows young people to be able to
carry aspirators in schools, and which also defined health
care providers. She stated that there is no attempt to
expand practice or service.
3:28:30 PM
Representative Croft noted that it did not change the scope
of the practice for pharmacists.
Representative Hawker stated that he would not support the
amendment because it would affect all sections of the bill
and there has not been sufficient testimony on the fiscal
note. He stressed that the legislation was intended as a
board renewal.
3:30:33 PM
Representative Kelly suggested a narrowing of the amendment.
Ms. Robinson referred to the definition of pharmacist. She
stated that the intent was to simply amend the definitions
system by adding, "and who is thereby recognized as a health
care provider by the state."
Representative Weyhrauch acknowledged problems with the
amendment's drafting. He WITHDREW Amendment 2.
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