Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
04/14/2023 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB112 | |
| HB145 | |
| HB149 | |
| HB88 | |
| HB87 | |
| HB60 | |
| HB21 | |
| HB97 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 150 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 145 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 60 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 112 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 149 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 97 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 87 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 88 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 149-NURSING: LICENSURE; MULTISTATE COMPACT
3:49:57 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
HB 149, "An Act relating to the licensure of nursing
professionals; relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact;
and providing for an effective date."
3:50:52 PM
RILEY NYE, Staff, Representative Mike Prax, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Prax, prime sponsor,
concluded the PowerPoint presentation from the previous meeting,
titled "House Bill 149: Nurse Licensure Compact" [hard copy
included in the committee packet]. He began on slide 11 and
warned that Alaska's nursing vacancies would continue to rise if
Alaska does not join the nursing licensure compact (NLC). He
explained that Alaska is one of the few states to not be a
member, and this makes it more difficult to attract nurses to
the state. He pointed out that NLC would not have a negative
impact on the sovereignty of Alaska, adding that if Alaska does
not join the compact, the possible number of nursing instructors
would be lowered.
3:53:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether joining NLC could cause an
Alaskan who performs a legal abortion in Alaska to potentially
be subject to prosecution in another state where abortion is not
legal.
3:55:35 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations, Business, and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development, answered that nurses with a multistate
license would be required to follow the laws of the state where
they are practicing, while they are practicing in that state.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS expressed concern that an Alaskan who
previously practiced in a state, such as Texas, could be
prosecuted by Texas if this individual performs a legal abortion
in Alaska.
3:56:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether there is a court ruling which
would allow such a scenario.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS answered that his example comes from a
brief published by the National Law Review.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX expressed the opinion that such a scenario
is unlikely.
3:58:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned the source of the number of
projected nursing vacancies.
MS. ROBB answered that the current number of vacancies comes
from the Alaska Department of Labor, and the projected number
comes from the website, registerdnurses.org.
3:59:33 PM
CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 149.
4:00:06 PM
WENDY MERCER, Chief Nursing Officer, North Star Behavioral
Health System, expressed support for HB 149 because it would
allow nurses to have more opportunities and advance their
careers. It would also allow medical facilities to reduce their
number of vacancies.
4:01:35 PM
RACHAEL KINCAID, Chief Nursing Officer, South Peninsula
Hospital, stated that qualified nurses are being turned away
because they do not meet licensure requirements. She expressed
the opinion that HB 149 would help solve this problem. She
continued that most nurses and the Alaska Board of Nursing
support the bill.
4:03:00 PM
GRACE HALSTEAD, representing self, stated that she is a nurse in
Homer, and, despite a few small downsides, she supports HB 149.
4:04:00 PM
MARY WILLIS, Long Term Care Administrator, Utuqqanaat Inaat,
shared that she has been a nurse for 27 years and has previously
held licensure as part of NLC. She expressed the opinion that
HB 149 would help increase access to nurses for rural Alaska.
4:05:14 PM
BETSY WOOD, representing self, stated that she is a nurse in
Fairbanks and has witnessed nurses waiting between four and six
months to receive a nursing license in Alaska. She expressed
the opinion that passing HB 149 would allow for the recruitment
of experienced nurses. She added that concerns about nurses
leaving the state are unfounded because these nurses already
have the ability to work.
4:06:57 PM
ROBERT LANG, Emergency Room Nurse Manager, Wrangell Medical
Center, expressed support for HB 149. He expressed the opinion
that HB 149 would allow nurses to be licensed at a faster rate,
and this would help military families moving to Alaska. He
added that it would also save money for nurses wishing to
practice telehealth.
4:08:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked why previously passed legislation
has not helped military families receive expediated licensure.
MR. LANG answered that he is unaware of this legislation. From
his experience, he expressed the opinion that military families
are not receiving licensure at an expediated rate.
4:09:23 PM
STARLA FOX, Chief Nursing Officer, Bristol Bay Area Health
Corporation, expressed the opinion that HB 149 would help
medical facilities recruit and retain more nurses. She stated
that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical facilities in
Alaska already faced shortages. She advised that the nursing
shortage equates to not enough beds being available for
patients, and it means worse working conditions for nurses and
worse care for Alaskan patients.
4:12:13 PM
JENNIFER BRYNER, Chief Nursing Officer, Petersburg Medical
Center, said that the Petersburg Medical Center supports the
passage of HB 149. She stated that the fact nurses must wait
between two and three months to begin working makes it more
difficult to recruit new nurses. She said that the nursing
shortage is the worst she has seen in 25 years of practice in
the state.
4:14:15 PM
BRENDA SHELDEN, Board Member, Alaska Pioneer Home Advisory
Board, shared that she has served on the Alaska Pioneer Home
Advisory Board since 2018. She stated that the Alaska Pioneer
Home Advisory Board is grateful for the service of Alaskan
nurses and supports the passage of HB 149.
4:15:24 PM
LISBETH JACKSON, representing self, expressed the opinion that
HB 149 is common sense legislation, and it will help ease the
nursing shortage. She said that the nursing shortage has
resulted in new nurses being placed in positions where they do
not feel comfortable. She advised that the University of Alaska
Anchorage (UAA) nursing program does not provide enough new
nurses to fill all nursing vacancies.
4:17:35 PM
TRACY DOMPELING, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Bartlett
Memorial Hospital, expressed the opinion that the inpatient
mental health unit at Bartlett Memorial Hospital has been
affected the most by the nursing shortage. She said that this
shortage reduces the number of patients who can be treated for
mental health concerns. She expressed the opinion that passing
HB 149 would help attract more nurses to work in Juneau.
4:19:37 PM
SAVANNAH COURTRIGHT, representing self, expressed the opinion
that passing HB 149 would help medical facilities recruit nurses
with certain specialties, and she expressed support for the
bill.
4:20:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether Ms. Courtright believes that
Providence Hospital should invest more in UAA's nursing program.
MS. COURTRIGHT answered that she is not part of management.
4:21:23 PM
CARRIE PELUSO, Chief Nursing Officer, Providence Alaska Medical
Center, expressed support for HB 149. She shared that she has
been a nurse in Alaska for 26 years in many different nursing
positions. She pointed out that recruiting experienced nurses
is vital to training new nurses. She expressed the
understanding that employment agencies [which recruit nurses]
have indicated they may leave [the state] because of the long
wait times for processing nursing licenses. She stated that two
nurses who accepted positions in Kodiak ended up taking jobs
elsewhere because of the wait to acquire a nursing license in
Alaska. She urged passing HB 149, as it would strengthen
Alaska's ability to recruit nurses, avoiding similar situations
in the future.
4:24:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS questioned whether Ms. Peluso believes
that Providence Hospital should invest more in UAA's nursing
program.
MS. PELUSO answered yes.
4:25:09 PM
JENNIFER MOONEY, Executive Director of Operations, Providence
Kodiak Island Medical Center, stated that Providence Kodiak
Island Medical Center supports the passage of HB 149. She
indicated this was the facility which lost two potential hires
because of the long licensure wait times.
4:26:00 PM
MAUREEN PETERSON, representing self, stated that she is a former
travel nurse and expressed opposition to HB 149. She expressed
the opinion that NLC would lead to less nurses contributing to
the licensing fund in Alaska, potentially causing licensing fees
to increase.
4:27:41 PM
MILDRED HENNINGS, representing self, expressed opposition to HB
149. She expressed the belief that licensure wait times are not
responsible for the nursing shortage. She expressed the opinion
that Alaska nurses should remain local and joining NLC would
lower the standards for Alaska nurses.
4:29:17 PM
MELISSA GRAY, representing self, expressed opposition to HB 149
because joining NLC would reduce the quality of nurses in
Alaska.
4:30:23 PM
JARED KOSIN, President and CEO, Alaska Hospital and Healthcare
Association (AHHA), stated that AHHA strongly supports HB 149
because it is not normal for there to be licensure waits of two
to three months. He pointed out that other states which have
adopted the compact have had success in reducing their nursing
shortages.
4:32:01 PM
DANETTE SCHLOEDER, Chair, Alaska Board of Nursing, stated that
Alaska Board of Nursing supports HB 149. She stated that the
mission of the board is to promote public health in Alaska. She
added that the board makes final decisions on licensing and
discipline. She said that the board has vetted NLC with the
opinion that it would help reduce nursing shortages in the
state.
4:34:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked how the Alaska Board of Nursing
would find potential cases of nurses with fraudulent diplomas.
MS. SCHLOEDER answered that this is a complex issue, and [this
fraud] may not be caught even if the nurse only applies for a
single state license in Alaska.
4:36:12 PM
THERESA GLEASON, representing self, expressed support for HB
149. She shared that she has been a nurse in Alaska for 25
years. She stated that patients and nurses suffer from the
nursing shortage and passing HB 149 would help reduce this.
4:37:12 PM
ROBIN MINARD, Chief Communications Officer, MatSu Health
Foundation, stated that the MatSu Health Foundation supports HB
149 because of the nursing shortage. She expressed the opinion
that recruiting, and retention would improve from the passage of
the legislation. She argued that joining NLC would not reduce
the quality-of-care Alaskans receive.
4:39:01 PM
KIMBERLY KLUCKMAN, representing self, shared that she is a nurse
in the intensive care unit at Providence Medical Center. She
expressed opposition to HB 149 because it would not solve the
nursing shortage in Alaska. She argued that inadequate support
from management is the reason nurses are leaving Alaska.
4:40:52 PM
BRITANY WALTERS, representing self, stated that she is a travel
nurse working in Homer. She shared that she had to wait over a
month to receive her Alaska license, during which time she was
unemployed. She said that she is unsure whether she will move
her residency to Alaska because the state is not reciprocating
the licenses she holds in other states.
4:42:59 PM
JOELLE HALL, President, Alaska American Federation of Labor and
Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), stated that the
AFL-CIO opposes HB 149. She expressed the belief that the
amount of advocacy for the bill is inappropriate. She said that
the bylaws of NLC are unavailable to the public, and she argued
that giving control to an out-of-state entity could potentially
create a monopoly.
4:45:33 PM
ROSS NEWCOMBE, CEO, North Star Behavioral Health System, stated
that passing HB 149 would allow Alaska to recruit nurses from
other states who are members of NLC. He stated that NLC would
also create greater collaboration and cooperation with medical
facilities in the Lower 48.
4:46:58 PM
BRUCE SEETON, representing self, shared that he is a critical
care nurse. He expressed strong opposition to HB 149. He
commented that he has never seen so many members of hospital
management stand together with pre-prepared statements. He
expressed concern that NLC will allow management to ignore the
real issues causing the nursing shortage.
4:48:29 PM
NATALIE PORTNER, Director of Critical Care Services, MatSu
Regional Medical Center, shared that she was a travel nurse and
critical care nurse for over 25 years and has experienced the
difficulty of acquiring a nursing license. She said that NLC
would increase Alaska's access to experienced nurses. She
stated that MatSu Regional Medical Center has lost potential
nursing recruits because of the long wait times for nursing
licenses.
4:50:30 PM
MICHELE GIRAULT, CEO, Hope Community Resources, stated that Hope
Community Resources supports the passage of HB 149. She stated
that the organization has struggled to retain nurses, and many
nurses are set to retire. She expressed the opinion that
passing HB 149 would open opportunities to find nurses willing
to experience Alaska. She suggested that these nurses may fall
in love with the state and stay.
4:52:45 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:52 p.m. to 4:59 p.m.
4:59:09 PM
AMBER KIRKEGAARD, Director of Nursing, Maple Springs of Palmer,
stated that Alaskan medical facilities are competing with each
other for nurses, and the backlog of nursing licenses is causing
the loss of ability to recruit new nurses to Alaska. She
expressed the opinion that passing HB 149 would bring more
nurses to Alaska and help with the nursing shortage.
5:01:29 PM
AMANDA NETH, representing self, shared that she is a registered
nurse in Kodiak and supports the passage of HB 149. She said
that HB 149 would help spouses of military service members
become nurses in Alaska.
5:02:39 PM
NINA MAUS, CFO, North Star Behavioral Health System, stated that
participation in NLC would allow Alaskan medical facilities to
recruit nurses from outside of Alaska.
5:03:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS questioned what is responsible for the
nursing shortages at North Star Behavioral Health System.
MS. MAUS expressed uncertainty.
5:03:59 PM
CHRISTI LEPLEY, Director of Human Resources, North Star
Behavioral Health System, stated that joining NLC would
streamline the process of hiring new nurses from member states.
She said that she has witnessed nurses not choosing employment
in Alaska because of the long wait times to receive a nursing
license.
5:05:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS questioned registered nurse wage levels at
North Star Behavioral Health System.
MS. LEPLEY answered that the facility has very competitive
wages.
5:06:37 PM
DENISE PLANO, Chief Nursing Officer, Southeast Alaska Regional
Health Consortium (SEARHC), Wrangell Medical Center, expressed
the opinion that the nursing shortage will continue to grow
worse in Alaska without the passage of HB 149. She stated that
SEARHC is very reliant on recruiting nurses from out of state,
and HB 149 would aid in this process.
5:08:27 PM
NICOLE WELCH, Chief Human Resource Officer, Foundation Health
Partners, stated that nursing requires around the clock care;
therefore, the nursing shortage is having a negative impact.
She expressed the opinion that passing HB 149 would help reduce
the number of nursing vacancies, which would help both nurses
and patients.
5:10:35 PM
CRAIG CALDWELL, representing self, shared that he has been a
nurse for 17 years and had experienced delays in receiving his
license when he first arrived in Alaska. He expressed the
opinion that HB 149 would help solve some of the issues related
to the nursing shortage. He opined that there should be more
investment in nursing education in Alaska.
5:12:20 PM
COURTNEY TABER, Nursing Manager, Southeast Alaska Regional
Health Consortium, Juneau Medical Center, expressed the opinion
that HB 149 would help reduce the nursing shortage in Alaska.
She related her experience when she moved to Alaska and the long
wait time to receive a nursing license.
5:14:25 PM
SHANNON DAVENPORT, representing self, shared that she is an
operating and hospice nurse in Anchorage. She expressed
opposition to HB 149, explaining that the reason for the nursing
shortage is because of nurse "burnout" from events, such as the
COVID-19 pandemic. She argued that retaining nurses would
reduce the nursing shortage.
5:16:51 PM
DON THIBEDEAU, Social Worker, Denali Center, shared that he has
worked at Denali Center for 33 years. He acknowledged that the
COVID-19 pandemic caused many of the staffing issues faced today
by medical facilities across the state. He argued that passing
HB 149 would help reduce the shortage by bringing more nurses to
Alaska.
5:18:56 PM
MARGE STONEKING, Lobbyist, AARP Alaska, stated that Alaska has
the fastest growing senior population in the U.S., and
recruiting nurses from outside the state is necessary to address
this. She said that NLC would help this process and increase
professional development in the state. She expressed the
opinion that Alaska is at a disadvantage and passing HB 149
would help reduce this.
5:21:50 PM
LAURA BONNER, representing self, shared that she is a retired
nurse and opposes HB 149. She stated that NLC's website
contains information mostly about how to get more states to
join, and she expressed concern about the requirements of NLC.
5:24:13 PM
KIM ROBSON, representing self, stated that she is a nurse in
Petersburg. She expressed the opinion that passing HB 149 would
encourage nurses to move to Alaska, as the main complaint she
hears on travel nurse forums is the length of time to acquire a
nursing license in Alaska.
5:25:43 PM
CHAIR SUMNER, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 149.
CHAIR SUMNER announced that HB 149 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB145 AKPIRG.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2023 3:15:00 PM |
HB 145 |
| HB145 Chart.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2023 3:15:00 PM |
HB 145 |
| Explanation of Changes HB145.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2023 3:15:00 PM |
HB 145 |
| U.pdf |
HL&C 4/14/2023 3:15:00 PM |
HB 145 |