Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
05/03/2022 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB392 | |
| SB191 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 183 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 382 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 392 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 297 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 191 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
May 3, 2022
1:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator David Wilson, Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes, Vice Chair
Senator Mia Costello
Senator Lora Reinbold
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 392(HSS) AM
"An Act relating to advanced practice registered nurses and
physician assistants; and relating to death certificates, do not
resuscitate orders, and life sustaining treatment."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 191
"An Act repealing emergency powers of the commissioner of health
and social services and certain provisions related to the
response to the novel coronavirus disease; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 183
"An Act relating to home and community-based services; and
providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 297(HSS)(TITLE AM)
"An Act relating to home and community-based services; and
providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 382(HSS)
"An Act relating to insurance coverage for pharmacy services."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 392
SHORT TITLE: EXPAND ADV PRC REG NURSE, PHYS ASSIS AUTH
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SNYDER
02/22/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/22/22 (H) HSS, L&C
03/24/22 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/24/22 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/29/22 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/29/22 (H) Heard & Held
03/29/22 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/31/22 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/31/22 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/14/22 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
04/14/22 (H) Moved CSHB 392(HSS) Out of Committee
04/14/22 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
04/20/22 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) NEW TITLE 4DP
04/20/22 (H) DP: FIELDS, SPOHNHOLZ, SNYDER, ZULKOSKY
04/20/22 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/20/22 (H) Heard & Held
04/20/22 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/22/22 (H) L&C AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
04/22/22 (H) Moved CSHB 392(HSS) Out of Committee
04/22/22 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/25/22 (H) L&C RPT CS(HSS) NEW TITLE 3DP 1NR
04/25/22 (H) DP: SNYDER, FIELDS, SPOHNHOLZ
04/25/22 (H) NR: SCHRAGE
05/02/22 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/02/22 (H) VERSION: CSHB 392(HSS) AM
05/03/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 191
SHORT TITLE: REPEAL COVID 19 DISASTER EMERGENCY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) REINBOLD
02/15/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/15/22 (S) HSS, FIN
05/03/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 392.
ALLIANA SALANGUIT, Staff
Representative Liz Snyder
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for HB 392.
CHRISTINE KRAMER, DNP and APRN
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on HB 392.
CHRISTOPHER DITTERICH, PA, Past President
Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on HB 392.
CINDY FULLER, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 191.
RICH ANDERSON, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 191.
Elize Gavitt, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 191.
LISA WARD, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 191.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:35:57 PM
CHAIR DAVID WILSON called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Costello, Hughes, Begich, Reinbold
and Chair Wilson.
HB 392-EXPAND ADV PRC REG NURSE, PHYS ASSIS AUTH
1:36:52 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL
NO. 392(HSS) am "An Act relating to advanced practice registered
nurses and physician assistants; and relating to death
certificates, do not resuscitate orders, and life sustaining
treatment."
1:37:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 392, introduced the legislation speaking
to the sponsor statement that read as follows:
HB 392 updates statute so Advanced Practice Registered
Nurses (APRNs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) can
provide more support for the seriously ill and their
families. APRNs are Registered Nurses (RNs) with a
master's degree in nursing and additional specialized
education and training. Physician Assistants also have
a master's degree and additional clinical training.
In 1984, Alaska became one of the very first states to
give APRNs full practice authority. Full practice
authority means APRNs can use their expanded knowledge
and skillset to prescribe, diagnose, or treat patients
independently within their specialization. A common
example of this is Nurse Practitioners (NP), a type of
APRN, working as primary care providers for many of
us.
APRNs are authorized to independently oversee end of
life care, including assisting with Do Not Resuscitate
(DNR) orders and the Physician's Order for Life
Sustaining Treatment (POLST). Similarly, PAs examine,
diagnose, and treat patients, including participating
in end-of-life care discussions, as part of a health
care team. However, statute does not allow APRNs or
PAs to sign and finalize these documentsonly
physicians can. This can cause administrative delays
and unnecessary additional stress for families if a
physician is unavailable.
Additionally, current statute allows a registered
nurse to declare a death but only if a physician
documents the anticipated reason for the death. A
registered nurse can also sign a death certificate,
but it must be certified by a physician within 24
hours. HB 392 revises statute so APRNs and PAs can
also certify a death certificate. While the bill is
narrow in scope, it helps many and especially those at
vulnerable times.
Passage of HB 392 brings Alaska in line with 34 other
states and the District of Columbia where APRNs have
full practice authority and are allowed to sign DNR
and POLST form; 37 other states and the District of
Columbia where APRNs have full practice authority and
can sign death certificates; 30 states where PAs can
sign DNR and POLST forms; and 28 other states where a
PA can sign a death certificate.
1:41:19 PM
ALLIANA SALANGUIT, Staff, Representative Liz Snyder, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a summary of the
sectional analysis for HB 392 that read as follows:
Sec. 1: Amends AS 08.68.700(a) Determination of death
by registered nurse by allowing a Registered Nurse
(RN) to pronounce or determine a death of a person if
a physician or an advanced practice registered nurse
(APRN) or physician assistant (PA) has documented in
the person's medical or clinical record that the
person's death is anticipated.
Sec. 2: Amends AS 08.68.700(b) by allowing an RN to
sign a determination of death if a physician, APRN, or
PA has previously documented the person's condition.
Sec. 3: Amends AS 08.68.700(c) by allowing an APRN or
PA to certify a death determined by an RN within 24
hours of the determination of death.
Sec. 4: Amends to 08.68.700(d) by adding "an advanced
practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant"
and physician assistant as a conforming change to
statute regarding health care facilities' policies and
procedures for determination and pronouncement of
death by a registered nurse.
Sec. 5: Amends AS 13.62.065 Do not resuscitate
protocol and identification requirements (a) by
allowing APRNs and PAs to issue a do not resuscitate
order.
MS. SALANGUIT noted that Section 5 was further amended on the
House floor requiring the written consent of the patient or the
parent or guardian of a minor for a DNR order to be issued.
Sec. 6 & 7: Adds conforming language to AS 13.62.065
Do not resuscitate protocol and identification
requirements to ensure APRNs and PAs are subject to
the same rules and protocols as physicians.
Sec. 8: Adds language to AS 13.62.065(f) Do not
resuscitate protocol and identification requirements
allowing APRNS and PAs to revoke a do not resuscitate
order.
Sec. 9: Adds "or an advanced practice registered
nurse, or a physician assistant" to 13.52.080(a)(5)
Immunities as a conforming change.
Sec. 10: Amends AS 13.52.100(c) Capacity by adding "an
advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician
assistant" to language regarding protocols and how do
not resuscitate orders govern decisions regarding
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other life-
sustaining procedures.
Sec. 11: Amends AS 13.52.300 Optional Form by adding
"an advanced practice registered nurse, or physician
assistant" to the Advanced Health Care Directive Form.
Sec. 12: Amends AS 13.52.390(12) Definitions by adding
"an advanced practice registered nurse, or physician
assistant" to language defining "do not resuscitate
order."
Sec. 13: Amends AS 13.52.390(23) Definitions by adding
"an advanced practice registered nurse, or physician
assistant" to language defining "life-sustaining
procedures."
Sec. 14: Adds a new paragraph to AS 13.52.390(38)
defining an "advanced practice registered nurse" and
"physician assistant" by referring to the definition
in AS 08.68 Nursing and AS 08.64.107 Regulation of
Physician Assistants and Intensive Care Paramedic
respectively.
Sec. 15: Amends AS 18.15.230(c) by adding "advanced
practice registered nurse, or the physician assistant"
to the instructions for completing a death
certificate.
1:43:31 PM
CHAIR WILSON turned to invited testimony.
1:44:04 PM
CHRISTINE KRAMER, DNP and APRN, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by
invitation on HB 392. She stated that she has been practicing
for 23 years, primarily in hospitals. She reviewed her
credentials and specific work history and advised that she would
talk from perspective of an APRN about how this bill impacts
practice. She recounted that when a patient is admitted from the
emergency department, their code status must be determined
through discussion with the patient and their family. This is
documented in the admission notes and orders are written to
reflect those wishes. The NP is an integral part of the
treatment team throughout the patient's hospitalization. If the
patient passes, that is documented in the death summary. The NP
provides all this documentation but cannot sign the death
certificate. Under the current process a physician must sign the
death certificate even though they may not be familiar with the
patient care and case, and this may delay the signing. HB 392
changes this practice and would allow the NP to sign the death
certificate. She offered her professional opinion that this
legislation would improve care for patients who are critically
ill and facing end-of-life issues.
1:46:59 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO referenced Section 5 and offered her
understanding that an Alaskan can sign a DNR form and have it on
file in anticipation of needing it someday. She asked Dr. Kramer
to comment.
DR. KRAMER said that's correct, but what frequently happens is
that family members are aware of the document but don't know
where it is filed. If the document is on file at Providence
Hospital she can look it up, but frequently that is not the
case.
CHAIR WILSON said he didn't believe she tailored her answer to
Section 5.
1:48:58 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO said her reading is that the DNR may have been
written and signed in advance or the parent or guardian of a
minor can make the decision when the need arises. It also says
the nurse or physician shall document the grounds for the order
in the patient's medical file.
DR. KRAMER asked if she was talking about the amendment [that
passed on the House floor].
SENATOR COSTELLO said yes. She added that she knows DNR forms
can be filled out in advance, she just wanted it on the record.
She called it prior consent.
DR. KRAMER offered her perspective that requiring a patient to
sign their consent to their DNR status when they're just coming
from the emergency department could be difficult to impossible
depending on the patient's condition.
1:52:08 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked if she understood that the discussion was
about an amendment that passed on the House floor.
DR. KRAMER answered yes.
REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER said a concern that she has with the floor
amendment is that a spouse may not be able to decide on what to
do with a DNR if the patient doesn't have paperwork on file and
is suddenly incapacitated. The other concern is what to do in
situations where it is not possible to obtain written consent
from the patient.
1:54:23 PM
DR. KRAMER said she didn't believe the floor amendment would
prevent a spouse from signing a DNR on the patient's behalf.
Alaska statutes make the spouse the decision maker in those
situations, but they would have to be present at the hospital to
sign the paperwork.
SENATOR HUGHES asked if she agreed that the part of Section 5
that requires written consent was a bit redundant because the
forms are by either the patient or the family.
1:56:54 PM
DR. KRAMER agreed it was redundant. She also emphasized that the
utmost attention is given to the patient's wishes when DNR
orders are made and no decision is made without consent from the
patient or the family.
SENATOR HUGHES asked if it's been a problem that DNR orders
aren't defined in AS 13.52.065. She said she'd also like
clarification on the record regarding what the sponsor brought
up about a person's ability to make a DNR decision if their
spouse is unable to do so.
1:59:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER asked Senator Hughes if she had seen the
definition for "do not resuscitate order" in Section 12 that
starts on page 18. She noted that there had been some discussion
about adding the word "surrogate" to the language in Section 5
about those who have the ability to make a decision about a DNR
order when the patient is unable to do so.
SENATOR HUGHES offered her perspective that the definition in
Section 12 makes it sound as though the health care provider
could issue a DNR order without advanced consent. She suggested
that should be clarified and she would speak with the sponsor
offline about whether that was a discussion to have with the
drafter.
REPRESENTAIVE SNYDER said there are good reasons that the
language in statute isn't as specific as the requirements and
policies at the health provider level where signatures are
required. She added that Ms. Salanguit would reach out to
Senator Hughes about whether it was appropriate to speak with
the drafter about this.
2:03:23 PM
At ease.
2:04:10 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.
SENATOR HUGHES asked if there was any situation where a
physician, and potentially PAs and nurse practitioners, would
issue a DNR order without patient or family consent.
2:04:46 PM
DR. KRAMER answered yes, but it is highly unusual. It might
happen when an individual is gravely ill and all efforts to
locate the family have been unsuccessful. In that circumstance,
two physicians look at the situation, perhaps in consultation
with the Ethics Committee, consider the care options, and make a
DNR judgement call. She then reiterated her concern with the
change in Section 5 that resulted from the House floor
amendment.
2:06:55 PM
CHAIR WILSON clarified that Dr. Kramer was talking about a
change made to Section 5 when the bill was in the other body.
This committee was not considering an amendment.
2:07:14 PM
CHRISTOPHER DITTERICH, PA, Past President, Alaska Academy of
Physician Assistants, Palmer, Alaska, stated that he was a
practicing PA with Orion Behavioral Health Network and a
behavioral health and primary care services provider with the
Department of Corrections. He stated that NPs and PAs are
integrative leaders in patient care teams who are in a good
position and well able to provide end of life care decisions
with patients and their families. He continued to say that PAs
in particular are medical providers who diagnose illness,
develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and
often serve as the patient's principal health care provider.
They are also specifically prepared to complete death
certificates, provide life-sustaining treatment, and complete
the DNR orders with patients.
2:09:07 PM
CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony on HB 392; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
2:09:29 PM
At ease.
2:11:54 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.
2:11:59 PM
SENATOR BEGICH directed attention to AS 13.52.065 related to the
do not resuscitate protocol and AS 13.52.100 related to capacity
[to make health care decisions]. He said it appears that the
lingering issue about responsible party could be addressed with
a minor amendment to the capacity statute.
2:12:33 PM
SENATOR HUGHES pointed out that PAs fall under the State Medical
Board but APRNs do not. According to the current statute, APRNs
have to comply with the protocol the department developed and
the State Medical Board approved, so that would be the rule
regarding DNR that APRNs would have to follow in the situation
where an individual either has no family or none can be located.
SENATOR BEGICH relayed that Senator Hughes was describing AS 13
52 065(d).
2:13:43 PM
CHAIR WILSON, finding no further questions or comments, held HB
392 in committee.
2:14:08 PM
At ease.
SB 191-REPEAL COVID 19 DISASTER EMERGENCY
2:15:52 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 191 "An Act repealing emergency
powers of the commissioner of health and social services and
certain provisions related to the response to the novel
coronavirus disease; and providing for an effective date."
2:16:11 PM
SENATOR LORA REINBOLD, speaking as the sponsor of SB 191,
introduced the legislation by reading the following sponsor
statement:
The purpose of SB 191 is to repeal the emergency
powers of the commissioner of the Department of Health
and Social Services related to the response to the
novel coronavirus. The responsibility lies with the
Governor, nowhere in the state or United States
Constitution does it allow for this transfer of power.
Separation of Powers is vital to the fabric of our
country and state, repealing the emergency powers of
the commissioner restores the delicate balance.
SENATOR REINBOLD directed attention to the sectional analysis
for SB 191 and then discussed the reasons she feels SB 191 is so
important. The sectional analysis read as follows:
Section One: Sections 4,9,10,13-16, 20, and 21 (b)-
(e), Ch. 2, SLA 2021, are repealed.
Section Two: This Act takes effect immediately under
AS 01.10.070 (c)
SENATOR REINBOLD relayed her belief that it was extremely
important for either the Department of Law or the administration
to tell Alaskans what the difference is between an emergency and
a disaster declaration. She highlighted that the emergency
Governor Dunleavy declared in March 2020 that was supposed to
last just 30 days was still in effect, and that power regarding
this emergency had been ceded to Commissioner Crum. She called
this a massive abuse of power. She referenced SB 144 that she
introduced to embolden the Legislative Branch to address
emergencies and mentioned the vaccination bill of rights put
forward in SB 156 that was related to SB 191.
2:21:55 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD stated that on December 20, 2021 she wrote a
letter under the Freedom of Information Act asking the
administration to provide answers to issues, and she would like
those to be part of the record to explain why SB 191 is so
important. She described the issues as follows:
1. Provide all clinical evidence of the isolated COVID-19
virus and know variants and where they had been identified
and isolated. This is to justify the emergency. Question
number 11, in particular, is a really good one.
2. Provide all clinical evidence that masks have been
successful in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and which
ones worked the best.
3. Provide all available clinical evidence that social
distancing has been effective at stopping the spread of
COVID-19.
4. Provide all clinical evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are in
fact true traditional vaccines and that they provide
immunity, not just mRNA therapy technology.
5. Provide all clinical evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are
effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and which have
been proven to be the most effective.
6. Provide all clinical evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are
effective in preventing the spread and which vaccines have
been proven to be the most effective, including the
clinical data.
7. Provide all clinical evidence that COVID-19 vaccines have
proven to be safe for human use, backed by clinical data.
Please show the adverse events/deaths that have followed
with the use of these vaccines and which have been least
safe according to all available clinical evidence.
8. Provide a list of the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccines,
broken out be manufacturer.
9. Provide information regarding known adverse events
regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
10. Provide all evidence that pertains to COVID-19 vaccines in
the US that each is fully FDA approved for broad use.
11. Provide all clinical evidence that an emergency exists to
justify the emergency use of the products.
12. Provide the clinical information on the batches or lots of
vaccine may carry the mRNA technology - either the RNA or
the DNA, and any basic thing that could happen to that.
13. Provide all clinical documentation for the long-term
effects, including the side effects of the mRNA vaccinations
in COVID-19.
SENATOR REINBOLD stated that the response to the forgoing
questions could be described as non-answers. She found this
unacceptable because Alaskans have the right to know the
answers. In conclusion she noted the zero fiscal note and urged
the governor to answer the questions and lift this unnecessary
emergency order.
SENATOR COSTELLO said she shares the concern that power that
should reside with the governor has been ceded to an unelected
official. She asked when Commissioner Crum's emergency powers
would end if SB 191 did not pass.
2:31:06 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD answered that the bill has an immediate
effective date, but Commissioner Crum has the power to end the
emergency right now. She has requested an end to the emergency
declaration repeatedly but to no avail. She understands that one
reason is related to the enhanced SNAP benefits and she views
that as an abuse of power. Her belief is that more people would
return to work if benefits such as these were not available.
2:32:45 PM
SENATOR HUGHES referenced a bill that passed that says the
commissioner's authority would expire either when the executive
branch says the emergency is ending or when the Center for
Disease Control (CDC) says the emergency is over. The federal
emergency currently is under a 90-day extension that will end in
mid-July. She acknowledged that the bill did designate narrow
authority to the commissioner. The department could: provide
public health services to mitigate the emergency, maintain
federal benefits for SNAP and congregate sheltering, and procure
and allocate medications related to the public health emergency.
2:35:14 PM
SENATOR BEGICH asked, since this is in uncodified law, would the
question be moot as of June 30 when the Department of Health and
Social Services ceases to exist. He also asked the sponsor to
post the letter to DR. Zink on BASIS so it would be available to
the public.
SENATOR BEGICH said his concern with SB 191 is that it goes
beyond the commissioner's power. He specifically described
Sections 9, and 10, ch. 2, SLA 2021 that would be repealed:
• Section 9 relates to legislation from Senator Costello
currently under consideration in the House relating to
charitable online gaming. He said he'd be reluctant to take
away the ability for that to continue.
• Section 10 relating to school operating funds was removed
from SB 111 to ensure a repeal date of June 30, 2025
because of the federal funding to the state for COVID and
the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The intention was for
schools to have the ability to absorb that money.
SENATOR BEGICH and asked the sponsor why Sections 9 and 10 were
included in SB 191. Both are issues of public policy that have
not been settled, which could cause great hardship for school
districts and charitable businesses that are operating online.
2:39:23 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD said she would like both her letter to Dr. Zink
and the administration's response to be part of the public
record.
SENATOR BEGICH clarified that he requested the letter from Dr.
Zink, the sponsor's letter, and the response from the
administration to be posted on BASIS.
SENATOR REINBOLD read the February 8, 2022 memorandum from Megan
A. Wallace, Legal Services director:
Attached is the draft bill you requested, relating to
the repeal of ch. 2, SLA 2021 (HB 76). Please note
that some sections were not repealed, because they
have already been repealed. More specifically, under
sec. 21, ch. 2, SLA 2021, secs. 1 3, 5, 7, 8, 11,
and 17 were repealed on April 30, 2021, when the
governor declared that the public health disaster
emergency no longer existed. I also did not repeal
sec. 6, because the final report was due under that
section no later than January 31, 2022, which has
already passed. Please note that considering your
request to repeal the Act in its "entirety," I
repealed sec. 12, which is a section preventing the
governor from using the revised program legislative
(RPL) process to increase an appropriation item for
the fiscal years ending June 30, 2021, based on
certain additional federal receipts. If you did not
intend to repeal that restriction, please let me know.
Finally, secs. 18 and 19 were not repealed, because
they created new repeal dates for ch. 10, SLA 2020,
which have already passed.
2:41:30 PM
SENATOR BEGICH said he was asking specifically about Sections 9
and 10, which the memo did not mention.
SENATOR REINBOLD provided the following response:
If we have another piece of legislation in play right
now, it would probably be wise to just go ahead and
move forward and not keep the whole state under, in
some people's opinion, oppression. If we just need to
just deal with gaming, let's deal with gaming. But we
don't need to keep everybody in this unnecessary,
constant over two year state of emergency. Also we can
do gaming. To me that doesn't make sense.
2:43:57 PM
CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony on SB 191.
2:44:19 PM
CINDY FULLER, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, said the COVID-
19 mitigations that are being done to people need to stop.
There have been hundreds of kids that haven't been in class
because they weren't masked. She asked the committee to pass SB
191 so people can get on with their lives and money could be
spent on more important things.
2:46:02 PM
RICH ANDERSON, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, described
traveling throughout the US last year and finding the conditions
close to normal, but not in Juneau. He opined that the pandemic
will be over when people decide it's over. As an issue it's
becoming less relevant. He said it's time for people to get on
with their lives because the fallout could be worse than the
pandemic. People have anxiety disorders that "weren't on the
map" pre COVID. He urged the committee to help people move
forward. He also voiced concern that power was given to
nonelected people because the public didn't have a say and can't
vote them from office.
2:49:46 PM
ELIZE GAVITT, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, stated that she
supports SB 191 because the mandates are ruining society and
traumatizing children. People should trust their immune system.
2:50:20 PM
LISA WARD, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, stated support for
SB 191. She asked when in history an emergency lasted two years
and emphasized that it was time to move forward.
2:51:06 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony on SB 191.
SENATOR COSTELLO referenced an earlier question about what would
happen to the more than 800 charities that are permitted to
conduct online gaming to support things like youth sports and
other activities. She explained that the online portion would
end June 30 unless SB 201 were to pass.
SENATOR BEGICH clarified that Section 10 does not have anything
to do with spending money for masks for students. It's about an
issue that's been debated for years about whether to give school
districts flexibility on their fund balances. That provision was
removed from SB 111, and if SB 191 were to pass as currently
drafted, it would not be possible to address that fund balance
issue. That is the reason for his concern about SB 191.
2:52:47 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD said she would be happy to work with Senator
Begich and Senator Costello to resolve the issues related to
school operating funds and online gaming.
SENATOR HUGHES said she too was concerned that SB 191 included
Section 10, ch. 2, SLA 2021. She continued to say that she
appreciates the sponsor's efforts, but wonders if Mayor Bronson
was relying on the federal COVID funding to develop a long term
strategy to address shelter for the homeless. She asked the
sponsor if she had been in conversations with Mayor Bronson.
SENATOR REINBOLD answered that she had spoken to Mayor Bronson,
but on a different topic. She said the disaster declaration has
created a disaster that the state may never recover from, and
the entire state should not have to be in a state of emergency
to deal with the homeless issue, as important as it is.
2:56:43 PM
CHAIR WILSON reviewed the questions the committee posed that
require follow up.
2:57:40 PM
At ease.
2:57:54 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and reviewed the committee
schedule.
CHAIR WILSON held SB 191 in committee.
2:58:35 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Wilson adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting at 2:58 p.m.