Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/17/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB11 | |
| SB17 | |
| SB98 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 98-EXTEND BOARD OF VETERINARY EXAMINERS
2:11:15 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 98 "An Act extending the
termination date of the Board of Veterinary Examiners; and
providing for an effective date."
2:11:46 PM
MATT CHURCHILL, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented an overview of SB 98 as
written:
[Original punctuation provided.]
The Board of Veterinary Examiners, the five-member
panel that regulates the profession of veterinary care
in the state, will currently sunset on June 30, 2025.
This Bill extends the sunset date of the Board by six
years to allow the Board to continue working in the
public interest.
The State's 2024 audit of the board concluded that the
board served the public's interest while recognizing
the continued need for legislative oversight.
The audit ultimately recommended that the legislature
extend the Board's termination to June 30, 2031. Kris
Curtis, Legislative Auditor, will speak further to the
Committee today regarding the details of the State's
audit.
The Committee will also be hearing today from Director
Sylvan Robb of the Division of Corporations, Business
and Professional Licensing.
Board member, Hal Geiger, is present today and Dr.
Robert Gerlach, Chair of the Board of Veterinary
Examiners will be on the line as well to help with any
questions the Committee might have.
2:13:17 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced invited testimony on SB 98.
2:13:32 PM
KRIS CURTIS, Legislative Auditor, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB 98. She read the
provided report conclusions:
[Original punctuation provided.]
The Sunset Review of the department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Board of
Veterinary Examiners (board)
April 24, 2024
Audit Control Number 08-20142-24
REPORT CONCLUSIONS
The audit concluded that the board served the public's
interest by conducting meetings in an effective
manner; actively amending regulations to address
statutory changes, protect the public and improve the
licensing process; and effectively licensing
veterinary professionals. The audit also concluded
that board related cases were not consistently
investigated in a timely manner, two board positions
had expired terms, and as of January 31,2024, one
board position had been vacant for 31 months.
Additionally, the audit found that the final version
of regulation changes published in 2023 was not
reviewed or approved by the board.
2:14:23 PM
MS. CURTIS continued:
In accordance with AS 08.03.010(c)(22), the board is
scheduled to terminate on June 30,2025. We recommend
that the legislature extend the board's termination
date six years to June 30,2031, which is two years
less than the maximum allowed statute. The reduced
extension reflects the need for more routine oversight
of the board in light of the audit findings.
MS. CURTIS stated that on page 6 licensing information shows
that as of January 2024 the board had 716 active licenses, a 7
percent increase since the 2016 audit. Page 8 shows finances;
the board had a $200,000 surplus. She said the Legislative Audit
department made three recommendations starting on page 11:
Recommendation 1
She said the Division of Corporation, Business,
Professional Licensing (DCBPL) director should create
procedures to ensure the final draft of regulations are
provided to occupational boards for review and approval
before regulations are filed and made effective. She stated
that the final Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship
(VCPR) regulation omitted language the board intended, due
to technical edits by the Department of Law they believed
were minor.
Recommendation 2
She said the Boards and Commissions director should work
with the board to identify potential applicants to fill
board seats in a timely manner. The board had five members,
with two serving on expired terms and one seat vacant for
31 months.
2:15:58 PM
MS. CURTIS continued:
Recommendation 3
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED) commissioner should work with policymakers to
improve the recruitment and retention of investigators. She
said the Legislative Audit reviewed nine cases open for
over 180 days and found four with significant, unjustified
delays some lasting 111 to 695 days, often due to staff
vacancies and competing priorities.
MS CURTIS stated that the commissioner of DCCED, board chair and
governor's board and commissions' director agreed with all three
recommendations. The response can be found starting on page 23
in the audit report.
2:17:14 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations, Business and
Professional Licensing (DCBPL), Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Juneau, Alaska,
testified by invitation on SB 98 and stated that the first
recommendation that ensures the board reviews regulations and
make sure the regulations align with intent before adoption and
finalization has been resolved. She stated the Department of Law
changed a law on how regulation process flows. The Department of
Law now reviews proposed regulations before they go to public
comment, instead of after. She said this change prevents public
input on regulations that may later be rejected for legal
reasons and has improved the process for boards, the public, and
licensees. She stated that all five board seats are currently
filled. The division works with the Governor's Office to notify
active licensees of vacancies and encourages them or their peers
to apply. She said as for the third recommendation, the division
continues working to improve investigator recruitment and
retention. While the division struggled during the pandemic with
35 percent vacancies, the DCBPL now has only a few open
positions. She stated that the division has better training, and
stronger oversight. She said the DCBPL expect future audits to
reflect shorter investigation timelines.
2:21:48 PM
HAL GEIGER, Public Member, Board of Veterinary Examiners,
Juneau, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB 98 and stated that
the board has handled many complex technical issues responsibly,
always mindful of how public resources are being used. While
most people think of veterinarians as caring for pets,
veterinarians also play critical roles in food security and
public health, like managing rabies, a fatal disease in humans.
He said veterinarians also handle controlled substances and
treat high value animals in hatcheries being released in the
marine environment. He said the board is needed to fulfil the
complex, technical, and essential work that needs to be
completed. He stated that one major challenge the board faced
was addressing the unintended consequences of the prescription
drug monitoring program, and the board appreciates the
Legislature's help in resolving that. He said the board also
supports adding a licensed veterinary technician to the board,
as many states have done. With only five members, vacancies
strain the board's capacity, especially when emergencies arise.
He said the board agrees fully with the audit recommendations.
He said the issue with the Department of Law altering the
finalized Veterinarian Client Patent Relationship (VCPR)
regulation is serious. He stated that the board has worked for
years on getting expert testimony and a key provision for
allowing associate vets to treat an animal after another vet's
exam was removed. He said the current regulation is impractical,
and despite the boards repeated requests since late 2023, the
board hasn't received help from the Department of Law to fix it.
2:28:58 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN stated that as the board reviews regulations and
related matters he asked whether the board makes recommendations
on larger policy questions such as food security or the clean
list of animals allowed into Alaska and asked whether the board
offers any kind of professional position from the veterinary
community on those types of issues.
2:29:31 PM
MR. GEIGER answered that generally, the board has left those
broader policy issues to the Alaska Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) and focused on regulations within the boards
statutory authority. He said the only time the board really
stepped in was with the prescription drug monitoring program,
which caused significant issues for the board.
2:30:15 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN held SB 98 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB98 ver. A.pdf |
SL&C 2/17/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 98 |
| SB98 Sponsor Statement ver A.pdf |
SL&C 2/17/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 98 |
| SB11 Public Testimony-Email-Susan Allmeroth 02.08.25.pdf |
SL&C 2/17/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 11 |
| SB11 Public Testimony-Letter-NAMIC 02.14.25.pdf |
SL&C 2/17/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 11 |
| SB11 Public Testimony-Letter-APCIA 02.14.25.pdf |
SL&C 2/17/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 11 |
| SB98 Supporting Documents-Audit Vets Examiners Brd.pdf |
SL&C 2/17/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 98 |