Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/05/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB62 | |
| SB58 | |
| SB75 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 62 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 58 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 75 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 75
"An Act relating to an audiology and speech-language
interstate compact; relating to the practice of
audiology and the practice of speech-language
pathology; and providing for an effective date."
9:14:20 AM
SENATOR DAVID WILSON, SPONSOR, read from the Sponsor
Statement (copy on file):
Since the 1950s the number of licensed occupations has
risen from five percent of the workforce to twenty-
five percent. Navigating the various state licensing
requirements, rules, regulations, and fee structure
can present significant challenges for workers. To
address these challenges, states and professions have
turned to occupational licensure interstate compacts.
These compacts create reciprocal professional
licensing practices between states, while ensuring the
quality and safety of services and safeguarding state
sovereignty.
An interstate compact is a contract between two or
more states. It carries the force of statutory law and
allows states to perform a certain action, observe a
certain standard, or cooperate in a critical policy
area.
Alaska is currently a member of twenty-eight
interstate compacts. SB 75 enacts the Audiologist and
Speech Language Pathologists Interstate Comact (ASLP-
IC). The ASLPIC utilizes a mutual recognition
approach: eligible audiologist and speech language
pathologists in compact member states currently
issuing and accepting compact privileges have the
option of obtaining a compact privilege in other
member states. A licensee providing services in a
remote state, such as Alaska, under the compact
privilege must function within the laws and
regulations of the remote state, thus improving
healthcare availability for Alaskan residents, while
ensuring those services are provided at the highest
standard. The ASLP-IC became official in 2019 and has
been adopted by twenty-three states.
Compacts represent the only mechanism in the U.S.
Constitution by which the states themselves can alter
the fundamental dynamics of their relationship without
the intervention of federal government. Unlike other
means of interstate cooperation, compacts both create
a state-based solution to regional or national
problems and effectively retain policy control over
certain interstate matters for the future. The only
way for states to preserve their authority over
interstate problems may be to share their sovereignty
and work together cooperatively through interstate
compacts. Without compacts, federal involvement in
traditional state policy areas is a serious threat.
Senate Bill 74 is necessary to encourage the
interstate practice of physical therapy and to protect
state sovereignty.
9:15:19 AM
TAMMIE PERREAULT, REGIONAL LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. She
stated that the occupational licensure compacts ensure that
the military spouse professionals could continue to work
seamlessly without cumbersome processes of the licensee
when they move to Alaska. The compacts promote reciprocity
and reduce barriers.
9:17:46 AM
SUSAN ADAMS, AMERICAN SPEECH AND HEARING ASSOCIATION,
MARYLAND (via teleconference), testified in support of the
bill. She stated that the legislation was a contract and a
compact between states to ensure seamless practice, with
passage in 25 other states and introduction in 15 states.
Senator Kiehl wondered why there would be a liability
shield in law for ordinary negligence.
Ms. Adams replied that there was not a shield for ordinary
negligence, and she believed the compact specifically
referred to non-intentional issues as being covered. She
stated that the current immunity coverage by the state was
the same immunity provided by the delegates to the
commission.
Senator Kiehl felt that the language was very clear to
shield from liability.
Ms. Martin replied that she could work with the committee
on the issue.
9:24:26 AM
NANCY LOVERING, ALASKA SPEECH AND HEARING ASSOCIATION,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of the
legislation. She stated that it would make it easier to
hire practitioners and would improve access to necessary
care across the state.
Co-Chair Olson wondered who would hear the complaints and
concerns of patients.
Ms. Lovering replied that those complaints would be
forwarded to the people that process the applications
through the state.
Co-Chair Olson felt that it seemed like an added burden to
the department.
9:27:26 AM
SYLVAN ROBB, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS, BUSINESS
AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, explained the fiscal
note.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the division had an
investigator on staff.
Ms. Robb replied that the division had 25 of their staff in
the investigators unit
Senator Wilson wondered how the mentioned proposed
amendment would affect the fiscal note.
Ms. Robb replied that it would decrease the number of
months to implement.
Senator Bishop asked how many new licenses would come into
the state.
Ms. Robb replied that the compact enabled people to obtain
the privilege to practice in the state, so they would
already be licensed in their home state.
Senator Bishop assumed that there would be fingerprint
processing.
Ms. Robb replied in the affirmative.
9:30:08 AM
Senator Bishop queried the number of forecasted fingerprint
cards.
Ms. Robb replied that in FY 22 there were 122 new
applications. She stated that she anticipated approximately
123 new applications.
Co-Chair Olson wondered how it compared to the previous
five years.
Ms. Robb replied that there was an increase of 64 percent
in required professional license applications.
Senator Kiehl wondered what would occur if Alaska revoked
the license but their home state did not act.
Ms. Martin replied that the home state was the only state
that could take action on a home state license, but a
remote state could take action against the privilege to
practice across the compact states.
Senator Kiehl assumed that if the remote state declared
that one could practice for five years, it was not two
years in Alaska, but five.
Ms. Martin agreed.
Co-Chair Olson surmised that a privilege to practice would
be revoked in the compact states.
9:34:26 AM
AT EASE
9:36:01 AM
RECONVENED
9:36:06 AM
Ms. Martin replied in the affirmative to the question from
Co-Chair Olson.
Co-Chair Olson wondered what would happen with a
suspension.
Ms. Martin replied that it would be the same for a
suspension.
Co-Chair Olson OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair Olson stated that the next meeting would be the
following Wednesday.
SB 75 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 62 work draft version B.pdf |
SFIN 4/5/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 62 |