Legislature(2009 - 2010)
04/10/2009 04:36 PM House L&C
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB222 | |
| HB221 | |
| Board of Barbers and Hairdressers|| Board of Chiropractic Examiners|| Board of Dental Examiners|| Alaska Labor Relations Agency|| Board of Marine Pilots|| Board of Marital and Family Therapy|| Board of Certified Direct-entry Midwives|| Board of Nursing|| Occupational Safety and Health Review Board|| Board of Examiners in Optometry|| Board of Pharmacy|| State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board|| Board of Professional Counselors|| Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners|| Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers|| Real Estate Commission|| Regulatory Commission of Alaska (rca)|| Board of Social Work Examiners|| Board of Veterinary Examiners|| Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission|| Alaska Workers' Compensation Board | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 10, 2009
4:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Kurt Olson, Chair
Representative Mark Neuman, Vice Chair
Representative John Coghill
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Robert L. "Bob" Buch
Representative Lindsey Holmes
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mike Chenault
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 222
"An Act prohibiting discrimination by health care insurers based
on genetic information; requiring a health care insurer to offer
coverage for the treatment of alcoholism or drug abuse;
providing continuity of coverage for college students during
medically necessary leaves of absence from college; requiring
health care insurers in the group market to provide parity in
the application of mental health and substance abuse benefits
that comply with federal requirements; amending the definition
of 'dentist' to include out-of-state dentists for purposes of
certain dental insurance requirements; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED HB 222 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 221
"An Act relating to the state's participation in the federal
Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, and to
mortgage lending regulation and licensing; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 221(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Carla Bassler - Anchorage
John Floyd - Anchorage
Kathleen A. Reid - Fairbanks
Elaine Williamson - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Ethan Billings - Juneau
Belen Cook - Cordova
Ellen Ganley - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors
Boyd Brownfield - Anchorage
Erik Eriksen - Juneau
Craig Freeden - Anchorage
Richard Heieren - Fairbanks
Harley Hightower - Anchorage
Richard Rearick - Eagle River
Don Shiesl - Wasilla
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Carol Hernley - Cordova
Debra Long - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Dr. Dan Holt - Juneau
Dr. Rosemary Zimmerman - Girdwood
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Dental Examiners
Robyn Chaney - Dillingham
Dr. Mary Ann Navitsky - Sitka
Deborah Stauffer - Anchorage
Dr. Clifford Douglas White - Dillingham
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Tyler E. Andrews - Anchorage
Will Askren - Anchorage
Gary P. Bader - Anchorage
Aaron T. Isaacs, Jr. - Klawock
Matthew R. McSorley - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Marine Pilots
Dale O. Collins - Ketchikan
Michael Heimbuch - Homer
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Kimberly K. Horn - Juneau
Patricia A. White - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Barbara Norton - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Nursing
Thomas Hendrix - Eagle River
Janine L. McCready - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Occupational Safety and Health Review Board
Thomas A. Trosvig - Kodiak
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Dr. Dennis A. Swarner - Kenai
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Pharmacy
Leah Handley - Homer
Steve R. Johnson
Chris "CJ" Kim
Mary D. Mundell
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
Jay McDiarmid - Fairbanks
Dr. Marc Slonimski - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Professional Counselors
Ray DePalatis - Anchorage
Lillian Mitchell - Anchorage
Tashawna L. Olson - Homer
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners
Dr. Kristi H. Fuller - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
Richard "Butch" D. Olmstead - Ketchikan
Gene H. Shafer - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Real Estate Commission
Nancy Davis - Sitka
Barbara A. Dickson - Anchorage
Gene DuVal - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA)
Paul Lisankie - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Social Work Examiners
Darrell Allman - Anchorage
Gail La Rose-Henderson - Wasilla
Patty McMillin - Bethel
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Veterinary Examiners
Margaret J. Eastman - North Pole
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Philip E. Ulmer - Eagle River
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Richard H. Behrends - Juneau
Howard A. Hansen - Anchorage
Linda F. Hutchings - Soldotna
Sarah LeFebvre - Fairbanks
Kiana Peacock - Anchorage
Daniel Repasky - Anchorage
Marc D. Stemp - Anchorage
Patricia A. Vollendorf - Anchorage
Robert C. Weel - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 125
"An Act changing the name of the Alaska Aerospace Development
Corporation to Alaska Aerospace Corporation."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 222
SHORT TITLE: MED. INS. ELIGIBILITY/NONDISCRIMINATION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLMES
04/08/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/08/09 (H) L&C
04/10/09 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 221
SHORT TITLE: MORTGAGE LENDING REGULATION
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
04/08/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/08/09 (H) L&C, FIN
04/10/09 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES WALDO, Staff, Representative Lindsey Holmes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 222 on behalf of
Representative Lindsey Holmes, prime sponsor of the bill.
TYSON FICK, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
(DCCED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the discussion of HB 221.
ACTION NARRATIVE
4:36:03 PM
CHAIR KURT OLSON called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 4:36 p.m. Representatives Buch,
Holmes, Lynn, and Olson were present at the call to order.
Representatives Coghill and Neuman arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
HB 222-MED. INS. ELIGIBILITY/NONDISCRIMINATION
4:36:07 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 222, "An Act prohibiting discrimination by health
care insurers based on genetic information; requiring a health
care insurer to offer coverage for the treatment of alcoholism
or drug abuse; providing continuity of coverage for college
students during medically necessary leaves of absence from
college; requiring health care insurers in the group market to
provide parity in the application of mental health and substance
abuse benefits that comply with federal requirements; amending
the definition of 'dentist' to include out-of-state dentists for
purposes of certain dental insurance requirements; and providing
for an effective date."
4:36:12 PM
JAMES WALDO, Staff, Representative Lindsey Holmes, Alaska State
Legislature, explained that this bill will update sections of
Alaska's health insurance code to comply with recent changes in
federal law. He advised members that if the bill is not passed
the state's Division of Insurance will not be able to enforce
the law when the new federal law becomes effective.
MR. WALDO explained that the updates include changes that
prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of
genetic testing, requires that insurers continue to cover
college students under their parents' health insurance coverage
during instances in which the student must take leave from
school for medical reasons. Additionally, the federal law
requires insurers to provide parity in mental health and
substance abuse treatment coverage. Currently, insurers are
required to provide coverage, but there are limitations and caps
on the coverage. However, under the new federal law the caps
are no longer allowed. Thus, insurers are mandated to offer
coverage, but are not required to provide it. He related a
scenario in which a person breaks a leg or has substance abuse
issues. The same coverage would apply to substance abuse
treatment as treatment for the broken leg.
4:38:40 PM
MR. WALDO explained that Section 3 would amend the definition of
dentist for insurance purposes so that patients obtaining
services from dentists who are licensed in other jurisdictions
will be covered. He related that Section 4 requires insurers to
continue to cover college students under their parents' health
insurance coverage when the students need to take leave from
school for medical reasons.
MR. WALDO addressed enrollment requirements for employees in
instances in which the employee opts out of the employer's
insurance plan. The first change addresses a person or their
dependent who is covered by Medicaid, but who loses eligibility
for Medicaid. The employee would then have an option to re-
enroll in their employer's health insurance plan. The second
change concerns instances in which Medicaid will pay a certain
amount of the premium for health insurance. In those instances,
this provision would allow a person who becomes eligible for
Medicaid assistance for premium coverage to re-enroll in their
employer's health insurance plan so that Medicaid can be applied
to the insurance premiums.
4:40:24 PM
MR. WALDO explained that Section 6 prevents a health care
insurer from placing restrictions on mental health and substance
abuse coverage treatment. He reiterated that the provider must
offer the coverage but is not required to provide it. He
related that Section 7 provides for an effective date, such that
the effective dates coincide with federal provisions. In
response to Chair Olson, Mr. Waldo confirmed that a person must
be licensed as a dentist prior to working in the state.
4:42:41 PM
CHAIR OLSON, after first determining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HB 222.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved to report HB 222 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HB 222 was reported from the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
4:44:45 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:44 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
HB 221-MORTGAGE LENDING REGULATION
4:44:47 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 221, "An Act relating to the state's
participation in the federal Nationwide Mortgage Licensing
System and Registry, and to mortgage lending regulation and
licensing; and providing for an effective date."
4:45:04 PM
TYSON FICK, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
(DCCED), introduced himself.
4:45:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN made a motion to adopt the committee
substitute (CS) for HB 221 labeled 26-LS0856\R, Bannister,
4/9/09.[Version R was before the committee.]
CHAIR OLSON objected for purpose of discussion.
4:45:47 PM
MR. FICK explained that HB 221 makes a single change to the
state's mortgage licensing law. He indicated that two things
need to happen in order for Alaska's law to comply with the
federal Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act
of 2008 (SAFE Act). The SAFE Act requires all states to
implement a mortgage law that confirms to its requirements by
July 30, 2009, and that all states use a national database for
licensing mortgage loan originators. This bill would allow the
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development to
participate in the National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) and
use their database, which is the time sensitive element. The
fiscal note provides for the one-time fee of $50,000 to join the
NMLS, and $20,000 for computer system upgrades.
4:46:36 PM
CHAIR OLSON commented that this bill has been a collaborative
effort between his office and Representative Lynn's office. He
stated his intention to continue to work on the remaining issue
during the interim. He explained that the issue is complex.
4:47:08 PM
MR. FICK mentioned that the sunset date in the bill sends an odd
message to the HUD since the state will join the national
database, but will stop using the database in 2012.
4:48:21 PM
CHAIR OLSON removed his objection. [Version R was before the
committee.]
REPRESENTATIVE BUCH made a motion to adopt Conceptual Amendment
1, on page 1, line 14, to change the date from July 1, 2012 to
July 1, 2014. There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment 1
was adopted
CHAIR OLSON, after first determining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HB 221.
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL moved to report the committee substitute
(CS) for HB 221, Version 26-LS0856\R, Bannister, 4/9/09, as
amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, the
CSHB 221(L&C) was reported from the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee.
4:50:22 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:50 p.m. to 4:51 p.m.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
^Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
^State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors
^Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
^Board of Chiropractic Examiners
^Board of Dental Examiners
^Alaska Labor Relations Agency
^Board of Marine Pilots
^Board of Marital and Family Therapy
^Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
^Board of Nursing
^Occupational Safety and Health Review Board
^Board of Examiners in Optometry
^Board of Pharmacy
^State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
^Board of Professional Counselors
^Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners
^Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
^Real Estate Commission
^Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA)
^Board of Social Work Examiners
^Board of Veterinary Examiners
^Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
^Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
4:51:57 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced that the final order of business would be
the confirmation hearings of the various boards and commissions.
CHAIR OLSON stated that he has not had any requests from members
to have anyone appear before the committee.
4:52:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BUCH offered that Mark Crutchfield was appointed
to the Workers' Compensation Board. He said Mr. Crutchfield
advised that could not longer serve so a substitute board member
was found and has been submitted for consideration. He offered
his belief that is the only change to the list of appointees.
4:53:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL stated that many board members provide
substantial volunteer services. He commended their service to
the boards.
CHAIR OLSON noted his agreement.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES indicated that she has read the list of
appointees many times. She stated that she has sent e-mails and
has solicited information. She offered that while the
appointees are not providing testimony today, that a number of
committee members have performed due diligence. She wanted to
make certain that was clear for the record.
CHAIR OLSON agreed that all committee members have also done so.
4:54:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL moved to advance the confirmations for
appointees referred to the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee for consideration to the joint session of the House
and Senate for consideration. He noted that each member's
signature on the committee's report in no way reflects the
member's vote during the joint floor session. There being no
objection, the confirmations were advanced.
4:55:07 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
4:55 p.m.
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