Legislature(2013 - 2014)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/10/2013 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB37 | |
| SB16 | |
| SB38 | |
| SB88 | |
| SB38 | |
| SB24 | |
| SB2 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 38 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 88 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 38(FIN)
"An Act extending the termination date of the State
Medical Board; relating to the executive secretary of
the State Medical Board; and providing for an
effective date."
2:08:33 PM
DAVID SCOTT, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, addressed the bill
that extended the sunset date of the state medical board
through 2020. He stated that LB&A reviewed the board
activities and concluded that the board served the public
interest. The LB&A recommended a seven year sunset date
extension. The board was responsible for the licensing,
regulation and discipline of physicians, podiatrists,
physician assistants and paramedics. The board had two full
time employees and the costs were covered by licensing fees
and all revenue from the board covered its full operating
costs. The board unanimously supported increasing fees to
cover the costs associated with the legislation.
2:10:57 PM
Representative Wilson pointed to the three deficiencies
listed in the audit that addressed a lack of oversight. Mr.
Scott stated that the board president would directly
address the deficiencies noted in the audit.
Representative Wilson noted audit deficiencies typically
led to shortened extensions.
Representative Kawasaki wondered about the salary increase
provided in the bill. He wondered if it was typical to
include a salary increase in a board sunset bill. Co-Chair
Stoltze noted that board extensions sometimes carried major
policy initiatives, but the legislature was reforming the
process.
2:14:12 PM
Representative Gara asked the committee chair to bring the
medical board representative before the committee by
telephone. He told a story related to law practice.
2:16:44 PM
Co-Chair Austerman wondered what a range 23 paid. Mr. Scott
asked for a repeat of the question.
Co-Chair Austerman repeated his question. Mr. Scott offered
to get back to the committee with the answer. He estimated
that a range 23 paid $75 thousand per year.
Senator Pete Kelly joined the audience.
Vice-Chair Neuman joined the committee.
Co-Chair Austerman stated that a large disparity existed
between a doctor's charges for services in Alaska when
compared to those in the Lower 48. He thought that the
fiscal note for the bill explained that disparity.
2:18:27 PM
Representative Munoz asked about a disciplinary action
taken against a licensee. She wondered how the public
received information about the action. Mr. Scott did not
know.
Representative Wilson asked if the sponsor would oppose a
shorter sunset. She was not convinced that the audit's
deficiencies had been addressed. Mr. Scott replied that
there would not be an objection to a reasonable extension.
CSSB 38(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
2:20:20 PM
AT EASE
2:22:00 PM
RECONVENED
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 38(FIN)
"An Act extending the termination date of the State
Medical Board; relating to the executive secretary of
the State Medical Board; and providing for an
effective date."
7:36:27 PM
DON HABEGAR, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS, BUSINESS
AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT stated that he had an
opportunity to listen to the committee's prior hearing on
the legislation.
DAVE SCOTT, STAFF, SENATOR OLSON, answered Representative
Munoz's earlier question about the board's presentation of
findings to the public. He noted that the administrative
procedure act was applicable to the board allowing for the
Open Meeting Act. He added that "the board shall make
available to the public the information maintained under
(a) and (b) of the section for each person licensed under
this chapter" as stated in AS 08.64.130.
Mr. Scott responded to Representative Wilson's question
about the board's recommendations regarding the audit from
LB&A.
Co-Chair Stoltze directed the question to Mr. Habegar.
Mr. Habegar stated that the audit's first point addressed
the database issues. He noted that ample work was done this
month to continue with the maintenance agreement. He stated
that testing the changes in the database and the records
would prove the work done.
7:40:21 PM
Mr. Habegar stated that the second piece of the audit dealt
with continuing education. The department implemented a
professional licensing database system. He added that the
recommendation also required procedures mandating that the
board report to the federation of state database to ensure
that a check-and-balance system was established. The board
ensured that their executive administrator was liaison with
the chief medical investigator to ensure timeliness.
7:41:47 PM
Representative Wilson noted that the computer system change
led to the issues. She wondered if the improvements in the
database gave the director the confidence to approve of the
extension. Mr. Habegar admitted that he was hopeful and had
many IT specialists working on the issue.
Co-Chair Stoltze noted fewer and fewer problems with the
new director of boards and commissions.
7:42:54 PM
Representative Kawasaki asked about the salary schedule
changes and the other boards and commissions. He wondered
if the department would provide staff for the board. He
asked if other boards had the latitude to select salary
ranges for executive directors and staff.
Mr. Habegar replied that salaried positions were set by
DOA; however the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board
did address the issue by placing a range in statute. The
salary raise was not allowed outside of the administration
process and he believed that the board was taking advantage
of the CPA model.
7:44:18 PM
Representative Gara asked about the small medical community
and the difficulty with doctors realizing that another had
breached duties. He wondered about an outside doctor
brought in to do an evaluation. Mr. Habegar responded that
occasionally an outside doctor comes in and in a standard
of care issue; staff had certain liaisons that would advise
staff. If the case investigation did require experts, they
were hired outside of the state.
7:46:51 PM
Representative Gara encouraged the practice.
Co-Chair Stoltze CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked about objections to changing the
sunset date. Representative Wilson stated no.
7:48:21 PM
Representative Costello discussed the fiscal note which
indicated fiscal impact of $484.6 thousand for FY 14
through FY 19 and two full time positions.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked if the benefits would be increased
to $110 thousand.
Representative Costello MOVED to REPORT CSSB 38 (FIN) out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSSB 38 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "no"
recommendation and with one previously published fiscal
impact note: FN1(CED).
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