Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
03/08/2011 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB36 | |
| SCR1 | |
| SB7 | |
| HB28 | |
| HB98 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 36 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SCR 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 28-TEMP LICENSE/FEE WAIVER FOR PROFESSIONALS
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced the next order of business would be
HB 28. [CSHB 28(FIN) was before the committee.]
9:28:26 AM
KACI SCHROEDER, staff to Representative Bill Thomas, sponsor of
HB 28, said the bill would allow a military spouse to obtain a
temporary license to practice their profession while they are in
the state. Military spouses are some of the most transient
populations in the country, and being able to maintain
employment is extremely important to military spouses and
families. She noted that teachers and attorneys are not covered
in the bill. Teachers in Alaska are not regulated by the
Department of Commerce (DCCED); they are regulated by the
Department of Education, which has already addressed this issue.
Attorneys also have their own regulatory system, and they can
come to the state and practice on a temporary basis before
taking the bar exam.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if doctors are covered.
MS. SCHROEDER answered yes.
SENATOR GIESSEL noted that if a nurse is licensed in the state
of Maryland and put on active duty at Elmendorf, the federal
government covers that by maintaining that person's license.
They are not licensed in Alaska or under jurisdiction of the
Board of Nursing in Alaska.
MS. SCHROEDER replied the intent of the bill is that if a person
licensed in Alaska is called to active duty for some reason,
they are not at risk of losing their Alaska license while
serving on active duty anywhere in the world. They are not
required to pay licensing fees or keep up with continuing
education while they out of state on active duty.
9:31:46 AM
SENATOR KOOKESH asked for clarification that the section refers
only to Alaska residents.
MS. SCHROEDER answered yes.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked what is the intent of the language on page
2, referring to 180 days after active duty ends.
MS. SCHROEDER replied they wanted an exemption but they don't
want a person who has been gone to drop back in without any
licensing requirements. This gives them six months to get back
to speed without practicing; then they can complete requirements
and return to practicing their profession.
9:33:44 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL asked how this would be enforced.
MS. SCHROEDER answered DCCED could speak to enforcement.
9:34:50 AM
SARAH CHAMBERS, Program Coordinator, Professional Licensing,
Division of Corporations, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development (DCCED), said part of their task will be to
develop mechanisms to make sure these things are done. She said
that DCCED has an investigations wing and administrative
relationships with the military and other agencies to gather
information. They feel confident they can protect the public.
SENATOR KOOKESH mentioned fees and other requirements, and asked
if this applies to 180 days after leaving active duty.
MS. CHAMBERS stated that was correct.
SENATOR GIESSEL said having had the honor to serve on a
regulatory board she understands the complexities involved; the
board has a responsibility to insure that ineligible people are
not practicing and that they are bringing themselves up to speed
with whatever they may have missed. She also wondered about the
cost to the regulatory board should there be a violation.
9:38:09 AM
MS. CHAMBERS responded the division regulates 40 different
licenses. Sometimes a person on active duty will be engaged in
their profession, while some may not. This is not really a one-
size-fits-all program, and will not be enacted that way. It will
be the task of DCCED to work through the needed processes.
Regarding a fiscal note, the division director believes they
will work to be proactive rather than reactive. The division
feels the risk will be minimal, and they should be able to
absorb any costs through current fees and receipts.
SENATOR KOOKESH stated that many people returning from the
military have a lot of emotional problems. They need the six
months afterwards to get back on their feet. This bill gives
them time to adjust.
MS. CHAMBERS answered that is correct. Six months was chosen
because it does take time to disengage from active duty and
return to society.
SENATOR MEYER said the bill is interesting and worthwhile. If
the division says there are no additional costs, he will trust
that opinion. He asked how many people will be affected, and if
other states have done this.
MS. SCHROEDER replied it is difficult to track that kind of
data, but they estimate there are 8,000 military spouses in the
state, with maybe 1,000 who require licensing.
9:43:38 AM
SENATOR MEYER asked about other states.
MS. SCHROEDER answered that both Colorado and Florida have done
something similar.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the bill had a Finance Committee
referral, and how many people might take advantage.
MS. SCHROEDER replied there was no Finance referral.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI said the bill would seem to have a fiscal
impact.
MS. CHAMBERS responded that the first section of the bill
requires military spouses to pay all fees when applying for
licenses. The second portion relates to actual active duty
military that would already be currently licensed by the state.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there might be any equal protection
arguments against the bill.
MS. SCHROEDER explained the impacts are not necessarily out-of-
state vs. in-state. The only difference for military spouses is
for their licenses to be expedited. Also, it is not uncommon for
military groups to be treated differently, especially in times
of war.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the bill includes the Coast Guard
and National Guard.
MS. SCHROEDER answered that it does.
SENATOR GIESSEL noted that some of the most exemplary health
care providers in state are retired military. She asked if a
board has more stringent requirements in place, does this bill
lower those requirements.
MS. SCHROEDER answered no.
9:47:19 AM
MARK SANSOUCI, Liaison for military families in the Northwest,
Department of Defense (DOD), said military spouse careers is a
top priority of First Lady Michelle Obama. Military families
need the dual incomes and there is also concern for retention
and reenlisting. Fifty-nine percent of military members are
married; 72 percent of those are in the NCO and officer class.
DOD data shows that today in Alaska there are 13,229 active duty
military spouses. Roughly 50 percent of them are employed, so
that would be about 6,500. They don't know how many may be
licensed.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked what the percentages are in other
states.
MR. SANSOUCI answered that in Florida the bill was just enacted
in July 2010, so they don't have good numbers yet. Colorado has
a different way of handling licenses, so there is no real
comparison.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI said it would be helpful to have that data.
9:51:04 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI closed public testimony and held HB 28 in
committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| CSHB 28 Sponsor Statement 2.pdf |
SSTA 3/8/2011 9:00:00 AM |
HB 28 |
| HB 27 Supporting Document - Professions Covered by HB 28.pdf |
SSTA 3/8/2011 9:00:00 AM |
HB 27 HB 28 |
| HB 28 Supporting Document - Dental Society Letter.pdf |
SSTA 3/8/2011 9:00:00 AM |
HB 28 |
| CSHB 28 Supporting Documents - Article Military Spouses.pdf |
SSTA 3/8/2011 9:00:00 AM |
HB 28 |