Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
03/21/2024 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB309 | |
| State Medical Board | |
| HB298 | |
| HCR15 | |
| HCR9 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 187 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 309 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 298 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HCR 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 298-ALCOHOL WARNING SIGNS ON LIC. PREMISES
3:43:05 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that the next order of business would be
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 298, "An Act relating to
the posting of warning signs for alcoholic beverages."
3:43:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDREW GRAY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor of SSHB 298, said that the purpose of this bill was for
the public to be more informed of the risks of what they are
consuming.
3:44:44 PM
CHAIR PRAX opened public testimony on SSHB 298.
3:45:24 PM
SHAWN VAIMO, MD, Self/Board Member, Alaska Academy of Family
Physicians, Testified on behalf of himself and the academy board
in support of SSHB 298. He reiterated Representative Gray's
point that the majority of the public does not know that Alcohol
is a carcinogen. He said that this bill is important to make
the public aware.
3:46:23 PM
DR. VAIMO, in response to a question from Representative Saddler
as to which other substances beside tobacco could be considered
for warning labels, listed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS), among other carcinogenic substances.
3:48:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER emphasized his question.
3:49:02 PM
TIFFANY HALL, Executive Director, Recover Alaska, gave her full
support for SSHB 298, explaining that alcohol is the deadliest
drug in Alaska, and that it is a medical fact that alcohol
causes cancer. She said knowledge is power, and public
awareness is critical. She said that alcohol is addictive, and
people know more about other risks of alcohol besides cancer.
She emphasized the need for a long-term medical campaign from
the state. She said any reduction in consumption will lower
rates of harms of alcohol.
3:51:58 PM
NOELLE LOCONTE, representing self, gave her endorsement of SSHB
298. She said that it is uncontested in the medical community
that alcohol causes cancer. She said that only 30 percent of the
public knows that alcohol causes cancer, compared to 60 percent
for UV light and 80 percent for tobacco. She expressed hope
that this bill would reduce consumption. She gave examples of
what types of cancer alcohol could cause.
3:54:19 PM
JOYCE SONG, representing self, testified in support of SSHB 298.
She emphasized the connection between alcohol use and cancer.
3:55:40 PM
CHAIR PRAX, after ascertaining there was no one else who wished
to testify, closed public testimony on SSHB 298.
3:55:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER asked if Representative Gray could provide
animal studies that find that ethanol alcohol causes cancer.
3:56:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said that his staff would provide the
committee with any studies needed.
3:56:57 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:56 p.m. to 3:59. p.m.
3:59:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA moved to adopt Amendment 1 to SSHB 298,
labeled 33-LS1074\S.1, C. Radford, 3/19/24, which read as
follows:
Page 1, line 9, following "defects":
Insert ", including fetal alcohol spectrum
disorder"
CHAIR PRAX objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA explained that the amendment would add five
words to the bill, and how it would bring awareness of fetal
alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). She said that this bill would
add five words to the proposed sign change at alcohol sale
stores. She said that FASD is an important issue for the state
to address, and that the warning label proposed by the amendment
would make a good change.
4:02:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said that he generally supports
Amendment 1 but worries about cluttering up the new proposed
sign. He mentioned that the current sign is "very easy to
ignore."
4:03:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked if there would still be a net word
reduction from the current sign if Amendment 1 were adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA said that she would do the math on the spot.
4:04:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked for input from the bill sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY offered his understanding that with
Amendment 1, the word count would remain the same. He said he
feels neutral about the word increase, as the original goal of
the bill was to make the new signs more noticeable with fewer
words.
4:05:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER opined that brevity is more effective in
communicating the dangers of FASD.
4:06:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS deferred his question to Ms. Wilson and
asked if the sign displayed could include a picture.
4:06:59 PM
JOAN WILSON, Director, Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office,
answered a question from Representative Fields. She said that
she believes there is the flexibility to put a sign with
pictures up.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said that he sees an opportunity to
communicate more clearly and thinks a simpler sign is better.
4:07:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER said that he opposes Amendment 1 in the
name of keeping the sign as concise as possible.
4:08:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA echoed that Amendment 1 would result in a
sign with the same number of words. Nevertheless, after
listening to the discussion, she would be withdrawing Amendment
1. She added that a QR code idea is a good way to educate
people on the effects of birth defects.
4:09:27 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:09 p.m. to 4:09 p.m.
4:09:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA withdrew Amendment 1.
4:10:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 2 to SSHB 298,
labeled 33-LS1074\S.2, C. Radford, 3/20/24, which read as
follows:
Page 1, following line 2:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Section 1. AS 04.21.065(a) is amended to read:
(a) A holder of one of the following types of
licenses or permits shall post on the licensed or
designated premises two [THREE] separate warning signs
as described in (b) of this section:
(1) brewery manufacturer license under
AS 04.09.020 with a manufacturer sampling endorsement
under AS 04.09.410;
(2) winery manufacturer license under
AS 04.09.030 with a manufacturer sampling endorsement
under AS 04.09.410;
(3) distillery manufacturer license under
AS 04.09.040 with a manufacturer sampling endorsement
under AS 04.09.410;
(4) beverage dispensary license under
AS 04.09.200;
(5) restaurant or eating place license
under AS 04.09.210;
(6) club license under AS 04.09.220;
(7) package store license under
AS 04.09.230;
(8) pub license under AS 04.09.240;
(9) theater license under AS 04.09.250;
(10) common carrier dispensary license
under AS 04.09.260;
(11) sporting activity or event license
under AS 04.09.270;
(12) outdoor recreation lodge license under
AS 04.09.280;
(13) fair license under AS 04.09.290;
(14) golf course license under
AS 04.09.300;
(15) destination resort license under
AS 04.09.310;
(16) brewery retail license under
AS 04.09.320;
(17) winery retail license under
AS 04.09.330;
(18) distillery retail license under
AS 04.09.340;
(19) beverage dispensary tourism license
under AS 04.09.350;
(20) seasonal restaurant or eating place
tourism license under AS 04.09.360;
(21) beverage dispensary caterer's permit
under AS 04.09.610;
(22) restaurant caterer's dining permit
under AS 04.09.620;
(23) club caterer's permit under
AS 04.09.630;
(24) art exhibit event permit under
AS 04.09.640;
(25) music festival permit under
AS 04.09.650;
(26) nonprofit organization event permit
under AS 04.09.660;
(27) package store tasting event permit
under AS 04.09.680;
(28) conditional contractor's permit under
AS 04.09.710;
(29) another license or permit issued by
the board authorizing consumption of alcoholic
beverages."
Page 1, line 3:
Delete "Section 1"
Insert "Sec. 2"
Page 1, line 8:
Delete "OR SMOKING CIGARETTES]"
Insert "] or smoking cigarettes"
Page 1, line 10, following "WARNING:":
Insert "An unaccompanied person under 21 years of
age who enters these premises in violation of law may,
under AS 04.16.049(e), be civilly liable for damages
of $1,500."
Page 1, lines 12 - 15:
Delete "The third sign must read, "WARNING: An
unaccompanied person under 21 years of age who enters
these premises in violation of law may, under
AS 04.16.049(e), be civilly liable for damages of
$1,500."
Insert "[THE THIRD SIGN MUST READ, "WARNING: AN
UNACCOMPANIED PERSON UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE WHO ENTERS
THESE PREMISES IN VIOLATION OF LAW MAY, UNDER
AS 04.16.049(e), BE CIVILLY LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OF
$1,500."]"
Page 1, line 15:
Delete "and second signs"
Insert "sign [AND SECOND SIGNS]"
Page 2, line 1:
Delete "them"
Insert "it [THEM]"
Page 2, line 3:
Delete "third"
Insert "second [THIRD]"
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said that Amendment 2 presents an
opportunity to communicate more clearly with small businesses
and make the application of this bill easier. He explained that
the amendment decreases the number of signs that must be
displayed inside an establishment from three to two. He said if
Amendment 2 is adopted, it would delegate the design of the new
sign to the Department of Commerce. He said he believes that
there could be a consolidation of information to one sign inside
the establishment for brevity.
4:12:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned the purpose of the individual
citations in Amendment 2.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS responded that it questions existing
statutory language and is only proposing a change in the number
of signs from three to two.
4:13:18 PM
MS. WILSON said that is accurate, the only thing being changed
are certain lines and displaying two signs instead of three.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER cited Alaska Statute, explaining a
perceived conflict.
MS. WILSON said to talk to someone who knows more and explained
her thoughts on the Statute. She said that the section being
referred to doesn't require that a sign display all statutory
references for all related entities.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said that Amendment 2 does not have
specific language related to beverage dispensary licenses.
REPRESENTAIVE FIELDS asked if leg legal was online, as he
thought that the questions were to do with a rewrite of a
current title under Alaska statute. He emphasized Amendment 2
would not change existing statute.
4:15:09 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
4:15:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said that he would need to look at
section laws instead. He asked if this is a lot of language to
put on a sign.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said he is not changing the language
around minors entering a serving establishment, rather the
amendment is adding information about health risks surrounding
alcohol consumption inside the establishment.
4:16:34 PM
MS. WILSON said that Amendment 2 is meant to take two 11x17-inch
signs and combine them into one sign. She said it would be a
good way to reduce clutter inside the businesses.
4:17:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER clarified his earlier remarks and said he
stands corrected.
4:17:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked Representative Fields if the
intention of Amendment 2 was to add back in language relating to
the risks of cigarettes.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said he doesn't have a position on that,
and that the goal of the amendment was consolidation.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked for clarification on page 2, line
23 of Amendment 2, saying it aims to reintroduce the cigarette
language to warning signs in establishments.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked Representative Gray for
clarification.
4:18:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said that it was obsolete language because
smoking is no longer allowed indoors.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked if the committee could eliminate
certain lines in a conceptual amendment to Amendment 2.
4:19:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 2 to strike lines 23-26 [as numbered in Amendment 2].
There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 2
was adopted.
4:20:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked if Representative Fields could walk
through the differences between the current and proposed signs.
4:20:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said that it is based on consultation with
Ms. Wilson.
4:21:11 PM
MS. WILSON explained the differences between the current sign
and the proposed one, mainly the age warning and the restaurant
warning sign.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked if the language would include the
information that says a minor cannot be in an establishment nor
furnish alcohol to a minor.
MS. WILSON said the sign outside should warn the minor, and the
sign inside should warn of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
4:22:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER explained his understanding of Amendment 2
[as amended] is that it is combining language warning minors of
being on the establishment's premises with the language that no
one may furnish alcohol to a minor.
4:23:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said he believes that is correct.
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER clarified he said that because he saw
certain language on a different line.
4:23:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said, "The scary sign outside will be a
lot scarier with a lot more words and a lot more dollars."
REPRESENTATIVE MINA said she supports Amendment 2 [as
conceptually amended]. She gave a comment that the removal of
the cigarette language on the sign is appropriate in the context
of the bill, but she worries because tobacco use is on the rise.
4:25:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for clarification on a motion.
4:25:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER withdrew his objection to Amendment 2, as
conceptually amended. There being no further objection,
Amendment 2, as conceptually amended, was adopted.
4:26:35 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:26 p.m. to 4:27. p.m.
4:28:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report SSHB 298, as amended,
out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSSSHB
298(HSS) was reported out of the House Health and Social
Services Standing Committee.
4:28:42 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:28 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| David Paulson Medical Board App_Redacted.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| HB 309 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 309 |
| HB 309 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 309 |
| HB 309 Version A.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 309 |
| HCR 15 Version A.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 15 |
| HB 309 Fiscal Note DCCED-CBPL.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 309 |
| HB 309 presentation.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 309 |
| HB 309 Support AKOA.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 309 |
| HB 298 Amendment S.2 #2.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 298 |
| HB 298 Amendment S.1 #1.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 298 |
| HB 309- Memo Regarding Delegation Authority.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 309 |
| HCR 9 Fiscal Note LEG-SESS.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 9 |
| HCR 15 Mental Health and TD Factsheet.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 15 |
| HCR 15 TDAW 2024 Infographic_2024.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 15 |
| HCR 15 Fiscal Note LEG-SESS.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 15 |
| HB 298-Letter of Support FASD.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 298 |
| HCR 15 Sponsor Statement 3.22.24.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 15 |
| HCR 9 AHHA Support.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 9 |
| HCR 9 ANHB Support.pdf |
HHSS 3/21/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 9 |