Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
05/06/2024 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB228 | |
| HB238 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 228 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 238 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 228-MENTAL HEALTH/PSYCHEDELIC MED. TASK FORCE
1:33:51 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL
NO. 228(STA) am "An Act establishing the Alaska task force for
the regulation of psychedelic medicines approved by the United
States Food and Drug Administration; and providing for an
effective date."
CHAIR CLAMAN said this is the first hearing of HB 228 in the
Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee heard and reported out
the Senate companion bill, SB 166.
1:34:08 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN invited Mr. Zuelow to put himself on the record and
explain the differences between the two companion bills, HB 228
and SB 166.
1:34:34 PM
CALVIN ZUELOW, Staff, Representative Jennie Armstrong, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, paraphrased the differences
between companion bills HB 228 and SB 166 on behalf of the
sponsor:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Summary of Differences
with
CSHB 228 (STA) am - 33-LS0976\T.A
Companion CSSB 166 (JUD) 33-LS1062\N
1. The title of the task force has been changed in HB
228 from the "Alaska mental health and psychedelic
medicine task force" to the "Alaska task force for
the regulation of psychedelic medicines approved by
the United States Food and Drug Administration."
This change was made to better represent the duties
of the task force. This change is reflected in the
title of the bill, in the beginning of section 1
(page 1 lines 7 to 9), and in section 1(h).
2. A new paragraph has been added to HB 228 as section
1(b)(11), and the following subsections were
renumbered. The new section 1(b)(11) reads, "one
member who is a pharmacist, selected by the board of
directors of the Alaska Pharmacy Association."
3. The language in section 1(b)(10) of SB 166, which
reads, "one member of the faculty of the division of
population health sciences at the University of
Alaska, selected by the president of the University
of Alaska," was deleted from HB 228 and following
subsections were renumbered.
4. A new paragraph has been added to HB 228 as section
1(b)(7), and the following subsections were
renumbered. The new section 1(b)(7) reads, "one
member who is a physician or osteopath specializing
in behavioral health, selected by the Board of
Trustees of the Alaska State Medical Association."
5. The language in section 1(b)(7) of SB 166, which
reads "one member representing the psychiatric
profession, selected by the governing body of the
Alaska Psychiatric Association" was reworded in HB
228's equivalent section 1(b)(8) to read, "one
member who is a physician or osteopath specializing
in psychiatry, selected by the governing body of the
Alaska Psychiatric Association."
6. The number of members the task force could appoint
after assembling under section 1(b)(13) of SB 166
was reduced from three to one in HB 228's equivalent
section, 1(b)(14).
7. The language in section 1(c) of SB 166, which reads,
"The task force shall elect a chair from among its
members," was deleted and replaced in HB 228 with
language that reads, "The members appointed by the
president of the senate and the speaker of the house
of representatives under (b)(12) and (13) of this
section shall serve as co-chairs of the task force.
A member appointed under (b)(12) or (13) of this
section may select a designee to attend a meeting of
the task force on the member's behalf."
8. The date the task force's report is due to the
legislature and the governor was moved to January
31, 2025 in HB 228, from December 31, 2024 in SB
166. The task force's termination date was moved to
the end of the first session of the Thirty-Fourth
Legislature, where in SB 166 the task force
terminates the day the Thirty-Fourth Legislature
convenes.
9. The language in section 1(a)(1) in SB 166 reads,
"assess the potential use of psychedelic medicine in
addressing the state's ongoing mental health crisis,
as well as in treating chronic and terminal
illnesses and in end-of-life care." Section 1(a)(1)
of HB 228 was not amended to include the second and
third clauses and reads, "assess the potential use
of psychedelic medicine in addressing the state's
ongoing mental health crisis."
1:37:01 PM
SENATOR TOBIN referred to page 2, line 3 of HB 228 and number 9
in the summary of differences. She sought confirmation that the
sponsor's definition of "ongoing mental health crisis" would
include Alaska's aging population and individuals experiencing
mental health stress related to potential palliative care or
geriatric needs.
1:37:49 PM
MR. ZUELOW replied yes, that is correct.
1:37:56 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked about the impetus for designating legislative
appointees as the co-chairs of the task force, rather than
allowing the task force to select its own co-chairs.
1:38:12 PM
MR. ZUELOW replied that HB 228 was originally drafted as an
executive task force. The House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs adopted a committee substitute that
changed it to a legislative task force and determined it would
be appropriate for legislative members to appoint the chairs.
1:38:31 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked whether legislators are eligible to vote.
MR. ZUELOW replied that they are voting members of the task
force.
1:38:42 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN opened public testimony on HB 228.
1:39:16 PM
BAILEY STUART, Owner, Stuart Consulting, Wasilla, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 228. She stated that she is an
adjunct professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where
she educates students on cannabis regulations. She noted that
she opened the first dispensary in the Mat-Su Borough, serves on
a nonprofit board supporting veterans and disabled active-duty
members, and serves on the Marijuana Control Board.
MS. STUART stated that, based on her experience with Schedule I
substances, she believes it is in the best interest of the state
and its veterans to begin holding discussions. She referenced
human trials conducted through the Federal Drug Administration
(FDA) and noted that, in January, the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a request for proposals to study
the use of certain psychedelic compounds for treating post-
traumatic stress disorder and depression. She highlighted that
this is the first time since the 1960s that the VA has conducted
studies on these compounds.
MS. STUART expressed her belief that it is important to public
health and safety for veterans and Alaska residents to begin
discussions now about what regulatory structures should be in
place following FDA approval of psychedelic medicines. She
emphasized the need to anticipate and prepare a regulatory
framework before approval occurs to avoid confusion among
practitioners and the public. Drawing on her experience during
the legalization of marijuana in Alaska before regulations were
established, she cautioned that a lack of preparation could
create similar public uncertainty, even though legalization and
FDA approval are different processes.
MS. STUART stated that the future of medicine, particularly in
mental health care, is moving toward assisted psychedelic
therapy. She expressed her belief that HB 228 outlines an
appropriate membership structure for the task force and that it
could play a vital role in addressing the mental health crisis
faced by Alaska and its veterans.
MS. STUART requested the committee support HB 228, emphasizing
the importance of preparing for the anticipated use of
psychedelic medicine in a way that prioritizes public health and
safety.
1:42:07 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN closed public testimony on HB 228.
CHAIR CLAMAN solicited the will of the committee.
1:42:19 PM
SENATOR TOBIN moved to report CSHB 228(STA) am, work order 33-
LS0976\T.A, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note(s).
1:42:38 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN found no objection and CSHB 228(STA) am was
reported from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 228 veresion T.A.A |
SJUD 5/6/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 228 |
| HB 228 Sponsor Statement T.A 5.3.2024.pdf |
SJUD 5/6/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 228 |
| HB 228 Sectional Analysis T.A 5.3.2024.pdf |
SJUD 5/6/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 228 |
| HB 228 Summary of Changes T to T.A 5.3.2024.pdf |
SJUD 5/6/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 228 |
| HB 228 T.A vs SB 166 N Summary of Differences 5.3.2024.pdf |
SJUD 5/6/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 228 SB 166 |
| HB 228 Fiscal Note DCCED-COMM 3.5.2024.pdf |
SJUD 5/6/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 228 |
| HB 238 version S.pdf |
SJUD 5/6/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 238 |
| HB 238 Summary of Changes Version B to S.pdf |
SJUD 5/6/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 238 |