Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/05/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB134 | |
| SB147 | |
| SB117 | |
| SB159 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 117 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 134 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 147 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 159 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 134-PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER;3RD PARTY ADMIN
1:35:14 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 134 "An Act relating to
pharmacy benefits managers; relating to third-party
administrators; and providing for an effective date."
1:35:33 PM
JANE ROHR, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a brief recap of SB 134.
She said the bill requires third-party administrators and
pharmacy benefit managers to be licensed in Alaska and
establishes a licensing fee to cover the Division of Insurance's
administrative costs.
1:36:17 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 134.
1:36:39 PM
DAN NELSON, Director, Tanana Chief Conference, Fairbanks,
Alaska, testified in support of SB 134 and read the following:
[Original punctuation provided.]
I'm calling in from the Fairbanks on behalf of Tanana
Chief Conference calling in support of Senate bill
134. Senate Bill 134 is a common sense and non-
controversial bill that is designed to ensure that the
hard-fought provisions of House Bill 226 from last
legislative session are secured and enforced.
Currently the Alaska Division of Insurance has a
somewhat limited ability to regulate pharmacy benefit
managers and third-party administrators because state
statute only allows the division of insurance to
require PBM and PPA registration.
Senate Bill 134 Division of Insurance will be able to
be required that they've become licensed.
Unfortunately, this current lack of regulatory control
by the Division of Insurance will continue to allow
PBMs and PPAs to work in an under regulated
environment.
It's most of the committee members are already aware.
There are many concerning practices that PBM and
third-party administrators follow that negatively
impact Alaskans, Alaska employers, Alaska prescribers
and pharmacists and pharmacies.
I urge you to support Senate Bill 134.
1:38:12 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 134.
1:38:44 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
1:38:46 PM
SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SB 134, work order 34-LS0461\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
1:39:00 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SB 134 was reported from
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.