Legislature(2017 - 2018)BUTROVICH 205
02/27/2018 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR17 | |
| SB204 | |
| SB192 | |
| SB207 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SCR 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 204 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 192 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 207 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 204-DISABLED VET PLATES: CHIROPRACTORS CERTIFY
3:40:54 PM
CHAIR MEYER called the committee back to order. He announced the
consideration of Senate Bill 204 (SB 204).
3:41:31 PM
SENATOR EGAN, sponsor of SB 204, said the bill lets Alaska's
chiropractors sign the Division of Motor Vehicles' (DMV) forms
to provide disability certification for special registration,
license plates, and for disability parking permits. He noted
that he already has a permanent decal signed off by his medical
doctor, but SB 204 helps others. He explained that for years DMV
allowed chiropractors to sign disability applications, but in
2016 the Alaska Department of Law advised DMV that the statute
as it then read was not broad enough to allow chiropractors to
do so. He said SB 204 authorizes and restores the system that
served Alaskans well in previous years.
3:42:50 PM
PETER NAOROZ, Staff, Senator Eagan, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, stated that SB 204 is an important bill because
it allows chiropractors, who in many cases are primary-care
physicians, the ability to sign-off with the DMV on handicap
permits and licenses. He detailed that the Alaska Department of
Law determined in 2016 that chiropractors would have to be
specifically mentioned in statute by legislative authorization
and SB 204 accomplishes that. He noted that a provision in Title
28, Chapter 10 regarding veterans, uses the operative language,
"Including a person with a disability." He summarized that SB
204 is the cleanest way to add chiropractors in working with DMV
on handicap permits and licenses, a practice that chiropractors
had been doing for a number of years.
3:44:56 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked him to clarify from the sponsor's statement
versus the bill itself that the legislation addresses temporary
parking, not actual license plates.
MR. NAOROZ answered that the bill addresses a temporary
arrangement for parking spaces.
CHAIR MEYER asked if placards or license plates are provided.
MR. NAOROZ answered that temporary placards are provided.
CHAIR MEYER asked him to confirm that the chiropractors have
been signing off for many years and the bill clarifies that they
have the authority to provide the service.
MR. NAOROZ answered yes.
3:46:10 PM
CHAIR MEYER opened public testimony.
3:46:41 PM
TODD CURZIE, President, Alaska Chiropractic Society, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified in support of SB 204 to restore chiropractors'
ability to sign the DMV disability application. He said he had
signed DMV disability applications for 23 years. He noted that
he had never given a permanent disability, strictly temporary
stickers. He said not being able to extend handicap stickers
when asked has been a shame.
CHAIR MEYER noted Mr. Curzie's testimony that his goal is to
make disability applications temporary for his patients.
MR. CURZIE concurred and noted that some patients do require a
permanent sticker due to their physical condition, but most are
temporary.
3:49:00 PM
DR. EDWARD BARRINGTON, member, Alaska Chiropractic Society,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support SB 204. He said the
handicap stickers are important to individuals. He pointed out
that many times patients who do not consult medical providers
choose chiropractors as their primary care provider and
providing handicap stickers is a good service to offer patients.
3:50:20 PM
DR. DAVID MARTIN, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 204. He said he has many chiropractic patients
that see him as their primary-care physician and providing
handicap stickers was something that he was able to provide for
many years. He said his hope is to better serve his patients by
providing handicap stickers once again.
3:52:21 PM
DR. DANIEL HOLT, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 204. He disclosed that he has been a chiropractor
in Juneau for 25 years. He said providing patients with the
ability to park closer would be beneficial to chiropractic
practices to better serve patients in Alaska.
CHAIR MEYER asked if most the handicap placards that Dr. Holt
provides are temporary.
DR. HOLT explained that chiropractors try to get people up and
going again and not do long-term disabilities. He concurred that
the intent is to provide temporary placards to people.
3:54:40 PM
CHAIR MEYER closed public testimony.
3:55:07 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SB 204, version 30-LS1474\A from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note.
3:55:20 PM
CHAIR MEYER announced that being no objection, the motion
carried.