Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/02/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB132 | |
| SB133 | |
| SB4 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 132 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 133 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 133-INSURANCE; PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS
1:42:51 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 133 "An Act relating to prior
authorization requests for medical care covered by a health care
insurer; relating to a prior authorization application
programming interface; relating to step therapy; and providing
for an effective date."
1:43:28 PM
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a brief recap of SB 133
and stated that this bill addresses the prior authorization
process for medical care covered by insurers. Developed
collaboratively by providers, regulators, and insurers, SB 133
sets clear timelines, communication requirements, and promotes
electronic submissions via insurer portals. He said SB 133 also
authorizes the Division of Insurance director to oversee
compliance and enforcement.
1:44:48 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 133; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
1:45:31 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited a motion.
1:45:33 PM
SENATOR MERRICK moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 34-
LS0470\N.
34-LS0470\N.1
Wallace
3/26/25
A M E N D M E N T 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR BJORKMAN
TO: SB 133
Page 4, lines 11 - 13:
Delete all material.
Page 9, lines 24 - 26:
Delete "or a requirement that a covered person or
health care provider notify a health care insurer
before receiving or providing medical care"
1:45:37 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of discussion.
1:45:47 PM
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, offered an explanation of Amendment
1 to SB 133 and stated that the amendment makes two corrections
to the bill:
-Section AS 21.07.110 (page 4, lines 1113): Deletes language to
clarify insurer website transparency requirements. Insurers must
post only current prior authorization procedures with effective
dates, not outdated ones.
-Page 9, lines 2426: Revises the definition of prior
authorization to fix a drafting error and align with the
definition agreed upon by stakeholders.
1:47:26 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN removed his objection.
1:47:31 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no further objection and Amendment 1 was
adopted.
1:47:49 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
1:47:52 PM
SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SB 133, work order 34-LS0470\N.
as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
1:48:07 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and CSSB 133(L&C) was reported
from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
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