03/20/2025 03:15 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB60 | |
| HJR9 | |
| HB70 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 60 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 70 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 20, 2025
3:19 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Genevieve Mina, Chair
Representative Andrew Gray
Representative Zack Fields
Representative Donna Mears
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Representative Rebecca Schwanke
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 60
"An Act establishing May 12 as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome Day of Recognition."
- MOVED SB 60 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9
Urging the United States Congress to extend enhanced tax credits
for health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act.
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 70
"An Act relating to emergency medical services for operational
canines; relating to the powers, duties, and liability of
emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive care
paramedics; relating to the practice of veterinary medicine; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 70(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTE
E
SENATE BILL NO. 60
"An Act establishing May 12 as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome Day of Recognition."
- MOVED SB 60 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9
Urging the United States Congress to extend enhanced tax credits
for health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act.
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 70
"An Act relating to emergency medical services for operational
canines; relating to the powers, duties, and liability of
emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive care
paramedics; relating to the practice of veterinary medicine; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 70(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 60
SHORT TITLE: ESTABLISH ME/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME DAY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) TOBIN
01/24/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/25 (S) HSS
02/11/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/11/25 (S) Heard & Held
02/11/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/13/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/13/25 (S) Moved SB 60 Out of Committee
02/13/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/14/25 (S) HSS RPT 5DP
02/14/25 (S) DP: DUNBAR, HUGHES, CLAMAN, GIESSEL,
TOBIN
02/24/25 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/24/25 (S) VERSION: SB 60
02/26/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/26/25 (H) HSS
03/11/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/11/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/18/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/18/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HJR 9
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MINA
02/12/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/25 (H) HSS
03/11/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/11/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/18/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/18/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 70
SHORT TITLE: EMERGENCY MED SVCS; OPERATIONAL CANINES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SCHRAGE
01/27/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/27/25 (H) HSS, L&C
02/18/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
02/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/18/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/13/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/13/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: SB 60
SHORT TITLE: ESTABLISH ME/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME DAY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) TOBIN
01/24/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/25 (S) HSS
02/11/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/11/25 (S) Heard & Held
02/11/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/13/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/13/25 (S) Moved SB 60 Out of Committee
02/13/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/14/25 (S) HSS RPT 5DP
02/14/25 (S) DP: DUNBAR, HUGHES, CLAMAN, GIESSEL,
TOBIN
02/24/25 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/24/25 (S) VERSION: SB 60
02/26/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/26/25 (H) HSS
03/11/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/11/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/18/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/18/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HJR 9
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MINA
02/12/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/25 (H) HSS
03/11/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/11/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/18/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/18/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 70
SHORT TITLE: EMERGENCY MED SVCS; OPERATIONAL CANINES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SCHRAGE
01/27/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/27/25 (H) HSS, L&C
02/18/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
02/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/18/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/13/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/13/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
LORI WING-HEIER, Director
Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding HJR 9.
REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions
regarding HB 70.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:19:56 PM
CHAIR GENEVIEVE MINA called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:19 p.m.
Representatives Prax, Ruffridge, Schwanke, Mears, Gray, and Mina
were present at the call to order. Representative Fields
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
SB 60-ESTABLISH ME/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME DAY
SB 60-ESTABLISH ME/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME DAY
3:20:33 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the first order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 60, "An Act establishing May 12 as Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day of Recognition."
3:21:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to report SB 60 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, SB 60 was reported out of the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
3:21:41 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:21 p.m. to 3:24 p.m.
HJR 9-EXTEND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS
HJR 9-EXTEND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS
3:24:58 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9, Urging the United States Congress
to extend enhanced tax credits for health insurance premiums
under the Affordable Care Act.
3:25:10 PM
CHAIR MINA moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HJR 9, labeled 34-
LS0490\N.1, Nauman, 3/19/25, which read:
Page 1, line 11, following the second occurrence of
"the":
Insert "enhanced"
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS objected for the purpose of discussion.
CHAIR MINA explained Amendment 1. She stated that the proposed
amendment would provide clarity in the language regarding
enhanced tax credits under HJR 9.
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS removed her objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:26:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said that he is waiting on information
he previously requested in a committee meeting to ensure that
numbers regarding individuals receiving enhanced tax credits in
HJR 9 are accurate. He said he would like to wait on moving HJR
9 until those numbers are confirmed.
CHAIR MINA responded that she is open to having an accurate
number as well.
3:27:42 PM
LORI WING-HEIER, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of
Commerce, Community & Economic Development, responded that her
department has the answers to Representative Ruffridge's
questions, but cannot yet release that information.
3:28:24 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:28 p.m. to 3:29 p.m.
3:29:25 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that HJR, [as amended], would be held over.
HB 70-EMERGENCY MED SVCS; OPERATIONAL CANINES
HB 70-EMERGENCY MED SVCS; OPERATIONAL CANINES
3:29:53 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 70, "An Act relating to emergency medical
services for operational canines; relating to the powers,
duties, and liability of emergency medical technicians and
mobile intensive care paramedics; relating to the practice of
veterinary medicine; and providing for an effective date."
3:30:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 70,
labeled 34-LS0245\N.7, Gunther, 3/18/25, which read:
Page 3, following line 6:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 3. AS 18.08.082(a) is amended to read:
(a) The department shall prescribe by regulation
a course of training or other requirements
prerequisite to the issuance of certificates or
licenses that provide for the following:
(1) certification of a person who meets the
training and other requirements as an emergency
medical technician, emergency medical technician
instructor, or emergency medical dispatcher;
(2) authorization for an emergency medical
technician certified under this chapter to provide
under the written or oral direction of a physician the
advanced life support services enumerated on the
certificate or enumerated on a written document filed
with the department by the technician's medical
director and approved by the department under its
regulations;
(3) certification that a person,
organization, or government agency that provides an
emergency medical service, conducts a training course
for a mobile intensive care paramedic, or represents
itself as a trauma center meets the minimum standards
prescribed by the department for that service, course,
or designation;
(4) authorization for an emergency medical
service certified under this chapter to provide under
the written or oral direction of a physician the
advanced life support services enumerated on the
certificate or enumerated on a written document filed
with the department by the medical director for the
emergency medical service and approved by the
department under its regulations; [AND]
(5) licensure of a mobile intensive care
paramedic and the medical services that a mobile
intensive care paramedic may perform, including the
(A) educational and other qualifications,
which may include education in pain management and
opioid use and addiction;
(B) application and licensing procedures;
(C) scope of activities authorized; and
(D) responsibilities of a supervising or
training physician; and
(6) authorization for an emergency medical
technician certified under this chapter or mobile
intensive care paramedic licensed under this chapter
to provide to operational canines the emergency
medical services enumerated on a written document
filed with the department by the medical director and
approved by the department in regulation."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 5, lines 7 - 8:
Delete all material and insert:
"(1) is authorized to provide the emergency
medical services to an operational canine under
AS 18.08.082(a)(6);"
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained Amendment 1. He stated that
the proposed amendment would remove the "exemption language" for
medical service providers from HB 70. He said that language
caused concern for individuals in the veterinary field.
3:32:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, said he considers Amendment 1 a "friendly
amendment."
3:33:29 PM
CHAIR MINA removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:33:44 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:33 p.m. to 3:35 p.m.
3:35:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 6 to HB 70,
labeled 34-LS0245\N.8, Gunther, 3/19/25, which read:
Page 1, line 6, through page 2, line 13:
Delete all material and insert:
"* Section 1. AS 08.98.120(a) is amended to read:
(a) A person may not practice veterinary
medicine, surgery, or dentistry unless the person is
licensed as a veterinarian under this chapter or has a
temporary permit issued under AS 08.98.186, except
that a person may perform functions authorized by
(1) regulation of the board if the person
is licensed as a veterinary technician; [OR]
(2) a permit issued under AS 08.02.050 if
the person is employed by an agency that has a permit
issued under AS 08.02.050; or
(3) AS 18.08.093 if the person is certified
as an emergency medical technician or licensed as a
mobile intensive care paramedic."
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained Amendment 6. He stated that
the proposed amendment would delete the exemption section from
Section 1 of HB 70. The amendment would insert a new Section 1
which moves the authorization for the provision of veterinary
services to very specific functions.
3:37:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE responded that he considers Amendment 6 a
friendly amendment.
3:37:53 PM
CHAIR MINA removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 6 was adopted.
3:37:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 70,
labeled 34-LS0245\N.2, Gunther, 3/18/25, which read:
Page 5, lines 1 - 7:
Delete "If a veterinarian is unavailable to
provide emergency medical services to an operational
canine in a reasonable amount of time, an emergency
medical technician or mobile intensive care paramedic
may provide emergency medical services to the
operational canine as long as the emergency medical
technician or mobile intensive care paramedic
(1)"
Insert "An emergency medical technician or mobile
intensive care paramedic may provide emergency medical
services to an operational canine if the emergency
medical technician or mobile intensive care paramedic
(1) reasonably determines that there is an
immediate danger of serious harm to or death of the
operational canine and that a veterinarian is
unavailable to provide emergency medical services to
the operational canine soon enough to address the
danger;
(2)"
Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly.
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained Amendment 2. He stated that
the proposed amendment would reword a section regarding a
"reasonable amount of time," to provide more clarity.
3:38:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE responded that he considers Amendment 2 a
friendly amendment. He also said he consider Amendments 3 and 4
[in the committee packet but as yet not offered] to be friendly.
3:39:06 PM
CHAIR MINA removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
3:39:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 70,
labeled 34-LS0245\N.4, Gunther, 3/18/25, which read:
Page 5, line 9:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly.
Page 5, line 10:
Delete "the"
Insert "a"
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained Amendment 3. He stated that
the proposed amendment would delete language pertaining to
training people to "provide comparable medical services" to
humans.
3:40:23 PM
CHAIR MINA removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 3 was adopted.
3:40:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 4 to HB 70,
labeled 34-LS0245\N.5, Gunther, 3/18/25, which read:
Page 5, line 9, following "human;":
Insert "and"
Page 5, lines 10 - 12:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following paragraph accordingly.
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained Amendment 4. He stated that
the proposed amendment addresses language in Section 5, line 10
of HJR 9.
CHAIR MINA removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 4 was adopted.
3:41:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 5 to HB 70,
labeled 34-LS0245\N.6, Gunther, 3/18/25, which read:
Page 5, line 27:
Delete "(1)"
Page 5, lines 28 - 30:
Delete "; and
(2) comply with all laws governing the
administration of drugs or biologics to a human when
administering a drug or biologic to an operational
canine"
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained Amendment 5. He stated that
the proposed amendment would address language comparing the
administration of drugs to dogs, to humans.
3:41:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE responded that he considers Amendment 5 a
friendly amendment.
3:41:39 PM
CHAIR MINA removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 5 was adopted.
3:41:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said he does not think HB 70, [as amended],
is personally necessary. He expressed concern regarding the
need for additional training and paperwork under HJR 9.
3:43:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said he thinks there is a benefit of civic
engagement from HB 70. He explained that HB 70 has excited his
daughter's interest in state government and said that she called
HB 70 a "paw patrol bill."
3:43:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE said that many benefits from the
proposed legislation would occur in rural areas, where they lack
veterinarians. Because many emergency medical services operate
on a volunteer basis, she said she does not think HB 70, as
amended, would be taken advantage of in those rural areas;
however, she raised concern that the proposed legislation would
create more confusion.
3:45:44 PM
CHAIR MINA emphasized the lack of clear authorization that
emergency medical technicians experience in emergency situations
regarding operational canines.
3:46:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to report HB 70, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 70(HSS) was
reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
3:46:56 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 3:46 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 70 Opposition as of 03.17.25.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 70 |
| HJR 9 N.1.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 9 |
| HB 70 Amendment Packet 03.20.25.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 70 |
| HB 70 - Intervention Performed on MWD in the Preshopsital Combat Setting 2019.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 3/31/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 70 |
| HB 70 Opposition Letter 03.20.25.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 70 |
| HB 70 Support Testimony - Received as of 3.19.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 70 |
| SB 60 Support 03.18.25.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM |
SB 60 |
| HJR 9 Support 03.20.25.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 9 |
| HB 70 Amendment Packet with actions 03.20.2025.pdf |
HHSS 3/20/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 70 |