Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
05/05/2025 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB182 | |
| HB173 | |
| HB149 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 173 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 54 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 149 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
May 5, 2025
3:18 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Zack Fields, Co-Chair
Representative Carolyn Hall, Co-Chair
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Robyn Niayuq Burke
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Julie Coulombe
Representative David Nelson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 182
"An Act relating to live music and entertainment at breweries,
wineries, and distilleries."
- MOVED HB 182 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 173
"An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating
to occupational therapy assistant licensure; and relating to an
occupational therapist licensure compact."
- MOVED CSHB 173(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 149
"An Act relating to pharmacy benefits managers; relating to
third-party administrators; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED HB 149 OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 54(FIN)
"An Act relating to registered interior designers and interior
design; relating to project costs for the construction,
enlargement, or improvement of airports; extending the
termination date of the State Board of Registration for
Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; relating to the State
Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors; establishing requirements for the practice of
registered interior design; relating to the practice of
architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape
architecture, and registered interior design; relating to the
scope of the certification requirements for architects,
engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, and registered
interior designers; relating to immunity for design
professionals; relating to the cost of construction for
recreation centers; relating to liens for labor or materials
furnished; relating to the procurement of landscape
architectural and interior design services; relating to the cost
of construction of safe water and hygienic sewage disposal
facilities in villages; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 182
SHORT TITLE: ALCOHOL LICENSE: LIVE MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLLAND
04/11/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/11/25 (H) L&C
04/30/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/30/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/30/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/05/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 173
SHORT TITLE: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JIMMIE
04/07/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/07/25 (H) L&C, FIN
04/30/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/30/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/30/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/05/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 149
SHORT TITLE: PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER;3RD PARTY ADMIN
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
03/21/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/25 (H) L&C, HSS
03/26/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/26/25 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/31/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/31/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/31/25 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/05/25 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
JOHN BLASCO, Chief Operating Officer/Part Owner
Anchorage Distillery/Harbor Mountain Brewing
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 182.
SKYE STEKOLL, Co-Owner
Forbidden Peak Brewery
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 182.
JOSH HEGNA, Co-Founder
Girdwood Brewing Company
Girdwood, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 182.
CAMERON EBERSOLD, Staff
Representative Ky Holland
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on behalf of
Representative Holland, prime sponsor of HB 182.
REPRESENTATIVE KY HOLLAND
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of HB 182, gave closing
remarks.
TORI DAUGHTERY, Member
State Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 173.
ERIN BRENNAN FLORES, representing self
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 173.
KATIE JOHNSON, representing self
Ninilchik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 173.
DANIELLE KELLER, Board Member
Alaska Occupational Therapy Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 173.
CARY MORRE, representing self
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 173.
REPRESENTATIVE NELLIE JIMMIE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of HB 173, gave closing
remarks.
KEENAN MILLER, Staff
Representative Nellie Jimmie
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
173 on behalf of Representative Jimmie, prime sponsor.
GLENN SAVIERS, Deputy Director
Division of Corporations, Business, & Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
173.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:18:25 PM
CO-CHAIR CAROLYN HALL called the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:18 p.m.
Representatives Nelson, Coulombe, Saddler, Burke, Carrick, Hall,
and Fields were present at the call to order.
HB 182-ALCOHOL LICENSE: LIVE MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
3:19:45 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 182, "An Act relating to live music and
entertainment at breweries, wineries, and distilleries."
3:20:31 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL opened public testimony on HB 182.
3:21:01 PM
JOHN BLASCO, Chief Operating Officer/Part Owner, Anchorage
Distillery/Harbor Mountain Brewing, testified in support of HB
182. He stated that breweries are allowed four permits per year
for live entertainment. He explained that the events must occur
on the premises. He asserted that filing an application for
local law enforcement and the Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office
(AMCO) to approve an event on-premises was "redundant and
costly." He offered his support for HB 182.
3:22:18 PM
SKYE STEKOLL, Co-Owner, Forbidden Peak Brewery, testified in
support of HB 182. He asserted that HB 182 would remove an
additional barrier to breweries' four permitted events a year.
He stated that eliminating the process would save both time and
money and noted that they could pass that saved money along to
the artists. He opined that it seemed like an added burden for
everyone. He offered his support for HB 182.
3:23:06 PM
JOSH HEGNA, Co-Founder, Girdwood Brewing Company, testified in
support of HB 182. He described the permitting process, noting
that he fills out a form to send to local law enforcement and
AMCO, and pays $100 upon approval. He noted that sometimes
replies can take weeks. He asserted that the current process
places a burden on breweries and local law enforcement. He
stated that he has applied for six permits. He offered his
strong support for HB 182.
3:24:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked why breweries were permitted to
host only four events a year.
MR. HEGNA replied that constraint was a provision of previous
legislation Senate Bill 9 [passed during the Thirty-Second
Alaska State Legislature].
3:24:56 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 182.
3:25:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE referred to Section 7 of the proposed
legislation, noting that it was repealing the live music and
entertainment permit. She asked if that permit existed anywhere
else in Alaska Statute (AS).
3:25:52 PM
CAMERON EBERSOLD, Staff, Representative Ky Holland, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Holland, prime sponsor
of HB 182, replied that that section of statute is the entirety
of live music and entertainment permitting; it does not exist
anywhere else in statute.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked if the permit being repealed was
needed for other events.
MR. EBERSOLD noted the section of statute in question contains a
variety of permit types. He explained that the permit process
was generally for a manufacturer to serve their products off-
site at a premise that is otherwise non-licensed. He further
explained that the permit related to HB 182 was specifically for
a licensed manufacturer to host an event on their premises.
3:27:15 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS opined that the existing statute is bureaucratic
and absurd.
3:27:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked why only four events and asked if
six events a year would be more appropriate.
MR. EBERSOLD offered his understanding that the number four was
settled on as a compromise with other spaces dedicated to live
music.
3:28:10 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that the number four was important in
negotiations when
3:28:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK commented there is precedence for four
events. She stated that she would also support the buyback of
beverage dispensary licenses (BDLs) for a truly open market.
She offered her support for HB 182. She asserted that
additional duplicative paperwork was nonsensical.
3:29:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KY HOLLAND, Alaska State Legislature, gave
closing remarks as prime sponsor of HB 182. He thanked
committee members and noted that the proposed legislation was a
collaborative effort with a lot of community involvement.
3:30:08 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to report HB 182 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
3:30:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER declared a potential conflict of interest
and stated that he does, on occasion, play music in bars and
breweries.
3:30:45 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL announced that there being no objection, HB 182
was reported out the Standing House Labor & Commerce Committee.
3:31:04 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:31 p.m. to 3:34 p.m.
HB 173-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
3:34:09 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 173, "An Act relating to occupational therapist
licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure;
and relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact."
3:34:39 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL opened public testimony on HB 173.
3:34:55 PM
TORI DAUGHTERY, Member, State Physical Therapy & Occupational
Therapy Board, testified in support of HB 173. She noted that
the board reviews and approves applications for both
occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) licensures.
She stated that the board feels confident in its ability to
adapt to the changes in the licensing process, including
granting compact privileges. She noted that the PT compact has
similar language to HB 173 and stated that the board has already
navigated most of the necessary procedural changes. She noted
that Alaska is experiencing a critical shortage of OTs and
asserted the proposed legislation would improve the board's
ability to recruit and retain competent and vetted OT providers.
She asserted that an increased volume of OT providers in Alaska
would result in improved health and rehabilitative outcomes for
residents in Alaska with increased access to OTs. She further
asserted that an OT compact would reduce administrative burdens
and by reducing unnecessary redundancies in processing
applications. She explained that, under HB 173, the board could
provide licensure privileges to providers outside of Alaska
whose homes are established in another state with compact
membership. She asserted that the proposed legislation would
"increase the workforce needed for Alaskans to access OT
services."
3:36:57 PM
ERIN BRENNAN FLORES, representing self, testified in support of
HB 173. She stated that she is the sole occupational therapist
in Cordova, Alaska. She stated that the proposed legislation
would increase the availability and accessibility of OT services
in Alaska. She reported that, as a former travel therapist, she
was familiar with the burdens associated with obtaining new
licensure in every state. She stated that the compact would
allow the OT profession to flourish in Alaska, and it would
reduce the barrier to accessing OT services in small communities
like Cordova, Alaska.
3:37:56 PM
KATIE JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HB
173. She stated that she was an OT and the vice president of
the Alaska Occupational Therapy Association. She stated that,
because there are not enough OT services in the Kenai Peninsula,
there is a long waitlist for service that is infrequent. She
stated that many individuals rely on travel OTs which causes a
delay in care, as out-of-state travel therapists must obtain
licensure before providing care. She asserted that HB 173 would
address the issue of waitlists and infrequent care. She offered
her full support for HB 173, stating that it would ensure rural
Alaska residents receive vital services following illness or
injury.
3:38:59 PM
DANIELLE KELLER, Board Member, Alaska Occupational Therapy
Association, testified in support of HB 173. She stated that
she has worked as an OT provider in Anchorage for 13 years. She
noted that the waitlist for OT services averaged between 6 and
12 months due to the lack of OT services and providers. She
stated that she was in full support of HB 173. She stated that
she had personally worked with patients that had to leave their
rural villages to receive OT services in Anchorage, Alaska after
over a year of delay. She asserted that HB 173 would decrease
barriers preventing OTs from coming to work in Alaska. She
offered her full support for HB 173.
3:40:06 PM
CARY MORRE, representing self, testified in support of HB 173.
She stated that she has been a practicing OT for 27 years. She
noted that that the University of Alaska Anchorage OT program
graduates 12 to 15 OTs a year, far below the projected need for
74 OTs annually. She asserted that the proposed legislation
would facilitate expedited licensing for OTs coming to Alaska
and it would support the healthcare needs of Alaska residents.
3:41:14 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 173.
CO-CHAIR HALL entertained amendments.
3:41:26 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment [1] to HB 173, labeled
34-LS0810\A.1, Gunther, 5/2/25, which read as follows:
Page 3, line 5:
Delete "Article 3A"
Insert "Article 4A"
CO-CHAIR HALL objected for purpose of discussion.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that Amendment 1 would correct a
drafting error in the proposed legislation by deleting Article
3A and replacing it with Article 4A on line 5 of page 3 of HB
173.
3:41:49 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 3:41 p.m.
3:42:18 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 1 to HB 173 was adopted.
3:42:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELLIE JIMMIE, Alaska State Legislature, gave
closing remarks as prime sponsor of HB 173. She thanked the
committee members and highly encouraged the swift passage of the
proposed legislation. She stated that, without action,
individuals both urban and rural would suffer from a lack of OT.
3:43:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE noted that all compact bills have a
commission requirement, with both fees and appointments related
to the compact. She queried the cost.
3:43:53 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 3:43 p.m.
3:44:02 PM
KEENAN MILLER, Staff, Representative Nellie Jimmie, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Jimmie, prime sponsor
of HB 173, as amended, replied that there was no additional need
for funds according to the Department of Commerce, Community,
and Economic Development (DCCED), noting that board members
typically attend national conferences and pay for the travel
costs themselves.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE referred to page 18 of HB 173, as
amended, citing "The Commission may levy on and collect an
annual assessment from each Member State or impose fees on other
parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of
the Commission". She questioned how much the state would need
to pay to be in the OT compact.
3:45:54 PM
MS. DAUGHTERY deferred to Mr. Saviers. She noted that the
person appointed to the commission would be an OT appointed to
the board.
3:46:42 PM
GLENN SAVIERS, Deputy Director, Division of Corporations,
Business & Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development, replied that there would be
no fee set for the OT compact. She explained that there was no
fee to be a part of the PT compact, which went "live" the prior
week. She further explained that there was an option in statute
to create a fee if necessary but stated that the board believed
that it could absorb the costs because HB 173 would reduce work
for the Division of Corporations, Business & Professional
Licensing by reducing the number of applications processed by
the division.
3:47:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked how many states there are in the
compact.
MR. MILLER replied that there are 32 states currently in the
compact pending legislation from Washington, D.C.
3:48:22 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to report HB [173], as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 173(L&C) was
reported out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
3:48:50 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease from 3:48 p.m. to 3:51 p.m.
HB 149-PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER;3RD PARTY ADMIN
3:51:53 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 149, "An Act relating to pharmacy benefits
managers; relating to third-party administrators; and providing
for an effective date."
3:52:28 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS stated that HB 149 is a "clean-up" bill that
would ensure that the Division of Insurance can regulate
pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). He briefly explained that
there are PBMs calling themselves third-party administrators.
3:53:28 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL entertained a motion.
3:53:30 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to report HB 149 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HB 149 was reported out of the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
CO-CHAIR HALL set amendment deadlines for various legislation.
3:55:18 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 3:55 p.m.
3:55:32 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL clarified amendment deadlines for various
legislation.
3:56:06 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
3:56 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB173 HL&C Amendment 1 5.5.2025.pdf |
HL&C 5/5/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 173 |