05/07/2006 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE

3:05:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 150(L&C)                                                                               
     "An Act requiring licensure of occupations relating to                                                                     
     radiologic technology, radiation therapy, and nuclear                                                                      
     medicine technology; and providing for an effective date."                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
This was the  second hearing for this bill in  the Senate Finance                                                               
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HEALTH HILYARD,  Staff to Representative Tom  Anderson, testified                                                               
that he was available to answer questions.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:06:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Bunde  noted that  approximately  equal  numbers of  his                                                               
constituents support or  oppose this bill. He  was concerned that                                                               
the bill  would increase bureaucracy  by creating  another board.                                                               
He went on record in opposition of expanded bureaucracy.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:07:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Stedman  recalled  testimony  one  day  prior  that  the                                                               
legislation was unnecessary.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:07:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Wilken   asked  what  "problem"  the   legislation  was                                                               
attempting to  resolve. He characterized  the bill as  "feel good                                                               
legislation" with  more potential to harm  rural communities than                                                               
to  improve  their health  and  safety.  He considered  the  bill                                                               
unnecessary and would not support it.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:08:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Dyson  was of  the  opposite  opinion. This  bill  makes                                                               
allowances  to   get  the  level  of   training  and  supervision                                                               
necessary  in  remote  areas.   Dr.  Mandsager  had  successfully                                                               
explained  the need  for this  legislation due  to the  potential                                                               
harm from overexposure to radiation.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:09:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Hoffman opposed  this bill, as he surmised  it would only                                                               
cause "additional harm to Rural Alaska".                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:09:21 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson commented that he supported education and training                                                                
for medical workers, but considered this legislation "a step too                                                                
far". The bill would cause a strain in Rural Alaska.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:10:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Dyson offered a motion to report the bill from Committee                                                                
with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator Hoffman objected.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
A roll call was taken on the motion.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
IN FAVOR: Senator Bunde and Senator Dyson.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
OPPOSED: Senator Hoffman, Senator Olson, Senator Stedman, Co-                                                                   
Chair Wilken and Co-Chair Green.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The motion FAILED (2-5).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The bill was HELD in Committee.