Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/03/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB55 | |
| SB12 | |
| HB62 | |
| SB58 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 55 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 62 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 58 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 55
"An Act extending the termination date of the State
Medical Board; and providing for an effective date."
9:06:46 AM
Co-Chair Olson relayed that the committee had heard SB 55
th
on March 7. Public testimony had been taken.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee
substitute for SB 55, Work Draft 33-LS0347\B (Bergerud,
3/25/33).
Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion.
9:07:22 AM
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, discussed the
proposed changes to the bill. He highlighted that the
original bill had proposed an 8-year extension of the State
Medical Board, and the current bill version added a 4-year
extension for the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives.
9:08:22 AM
KRIS CURTIS, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, ALASKA DIVISION OF
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, referenced the sunset review of the
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives (board) within the
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(copy on file):
Report Conclusions
Overall, the audit concludes that the board operated
in the publics interest by conducting its meetings in
an effective manner, by supporting statutory changes
when deemed necessary, and by actively amending
regulations. The audit also concludes that the board
and Division of Corporations, Business and
Professional Licensing (DCBPL) staff did not
consistently certify midwives in accordance with
statutes and regulations. Further, an investigation
that concerned a threat to public safety was not
addressed by DCBPL investigators in an efficient
manner.
We recommend the legislature extend the boards
termination date four years, to June 30,2027, which is
half of the eight-year maximum allowed in statute. The
reduced extension reflects the need for more timely
oversight in recognition of the audit findings and in
recognition that the boards draft regulations may
significantly change its licensing function.
Ms. Curtis addressed licensing statistics shown on page 5
of the audit. She relayed that as of June 2022, the board
had 47 certified midwives. She referenced page 7 and noted
the schedule of revenues and expenditures. She listed four
recommendations beginning on page 9:
Recommendation 1:
DCCEDs commissioner should work with policymakers to
improve the recruitment and retention of
investigators.
Recommendation 2:
DCCEDs commissioner should work with policymakers to
improve the recruitment and retention of licensing
staff, and board members should adequately review
applications prior to approval.
Recommendation 3:
DCBPLs director should work with the board to ensure
the online licensing application is sufficient to
monitor compliance with continuing education hours and
that accurate regulatory references are included in
the application.
Recommendation 4:
The Office of the Governor, Boards and Commissions
director should work with the board to identify
potential applicants to fill board vacancies in a
timely manner.
9:12:00 AM
Co-Chair Olson asked how Ms. Curtis resolved the
recommendation for a 4-year extension over an 8-year
extension.
Ms. Curtis reiterated that the audit recommendation was in
light of the findings recorded in the audit. It was her
opinion that the board needed more routine oversight. She
explained that the audit was the legislative oversight
mechanism for boards and commissions.
Co-Chair Olson agreed with the audits recommendations. He
asked whether there was an explanation as to why there was
difficulty filling the board seats.
Ms. Curtis replied that, due to high turnover in the
governor's office, she had not received any communication
regarding filling the board positions.
Co-Chair Stedman WITHDREW his objection.
9:13:42 AM
AT EASE
9:14:56 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Olson noted that the CS would be before the
committee as a working document.
9:15:28 AM
KALI SPENCER, STAFF, SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI, testified that
that sponsor agreed with the changes in the CS. She agreed
to answer any questions from the committee.
Senator Olson asked whether the sponsor had seen the change
from the 8-year to the 4-year extension.
Ms. Spencer responded in the affirmative. She stated that
the sponsor had no objection to the change.
9:16:26 AM
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report CSSB 55(FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSSB 55(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with three "do
pass" recommendations and four "no recommendation"
recommendations and with a forthcoming fiscal impact note
from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
9:16:47 AM
AT EASE
9:19:21 AM
RECONVENED
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 55 work draft version B.pdf |
SFIN 4/3/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 55 |
| SB 55 20133-Midwives-Final.pdf |
SFIN 4/3/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 55 |
| SB 58 DOH - MS - 032923.pdf |
SFIN 4/3/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 58 |