Legislature(2017 - 2018)BARNES 124
03/27/2017 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| HB170 | |
| HB103 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 103 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 27, 2017
3:19 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sam Kito, Chair
Representative Adam Wool, Vice Chair
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Chris Birch
Representative Gary Knopp
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mike Chenault (alternate)
Representative Bryce Edgmon (alternate)
OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Zach Fansler
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
Wayne Hogue Kotzebue
Donovan Rulien II Anchorage
Marja Beltrami Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Robert Klein Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers and Land
Surveyors
Jeffrey Koonce Anchorage
Elizabeth Johnston Fairbanks
John Kerr Anchorage
Richard Jones Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Michelle McMullin Anchorage
Jennifer Lombardo Anchorage
Terriann Shell Big Lake
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Jonathan Vito Anchorage
Brian Larson Soldotna
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Dental Examiners
Michael Moriarty Seward
Steven Scheller Fairbanks
Gail Walden Wasilla
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Elizabeth Pierce Anchorage
Lee Holen Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Marijuana Control Board
Nicholas Miller Anchorage
Peter Mlynarik Soldotna
Mark Springer Bethel
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Marine Pilots
Ronald Ward II Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Nicole Jenkins Palmer
Karen Cunningham Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Massage Therapists
Traci Gilmour Juneau
Jill Motz Wasilla
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Kathy Roberts Anchorage
Dana Brown Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Nursing
Joseph Lefleur Ketchikan
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Occupational Safety and Health Review Board
Thomas Trosvig Kodiak
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Daniel Seamount Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Erik Christianson Ketchikan
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Pharmacy
Taryl Giessel Eagle River
Lana Bell Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
Jennifer Carlson Fairbanks
Rebecca Bingham Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Professional Counselors
Eleanor Vinson Juneau
Anne Brainerd Marko Fairbanks
Debra Hamilton Soldotna
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
Deborah Gideon Anchorage
Suzanne Dutson Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
Renee Piszczek Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Real Estate Commission
Eric Bushnell Wasilla
Guy Mickel Ward Cove
David Pruhs Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Deirdre Ford Anchorage
Stephen Hagedorn Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Brett Stubbs Anchorage
Linda Murphy Soldotna
Donna Phillips Girdwood
Aaron Plikat Anchorage
Lake Williams Fairbanks
Saleutogi Letuligasenoa Fairbanks
Rick Traini Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors
David Wight Anchorage
Hugh Short Girdwood
Warren Christian North Pole
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 170
"An Act relating to securities, registration, exempt securities,
exempt transactions, broker-dealers, agents, investment advice,
investment advisers, investment adviser representatives, federal
covered securities, federal covered investment advisers,
viatical settlement interests, small intrastate security
offerings, Canadian broker-dealers, and Canadian agents;
relating to administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement
provisions, including restitution and civil penalties for
violations; relating to an investor training fund; establishing
increased civil penalties for harming older persons and
vulnerable adults; relating to corporations organized under the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; amending Rules 4, 5, 54,
65, and 90, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 602,
Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED HB 170 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 103
"An Act relating to the practice of optometry."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 170
SHORT TITLE: AK SECURITIES ACT; PENALTIES; CRT. RULES
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
03/10/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/10/17 (H) L&C, JUD
03/24/17 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/24/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/24/17 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/27/17 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 103
SHORT TITLE: OPTOMETRY & OPTOMETRISTS
SPONSOR(s): SPOHNHOLZ
02/03/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/03/17 (H) HSS, L&C
03/14/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/14/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/14/17 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/16/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/16/17 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/18/17 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/18/17 (H) Moved CSHB 103(HSS) Out of Committee
03/18/17 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/22/17 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) NT 5DP 1NR
03/22/17 (H) DP: JOHNSTON, TARR, SULLIVAN-LEONARD,
KITO, SPOHNHOLZ
03/22/17 (H) NR: EASTMAN
03/27/17 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
JONATHAN VITO, Appointee
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Chiropractic Examiners.
ROBERT KLEIN, Appointee
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board ("ABC Board")
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board.
LEE HOLEN, Appointee
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Labor
Relations Agency.
SUZANNE DUTSON, Appointee
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners.
MICHAEL MORIARTY, DDS, Appointee
Board of Dental Examiners
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Dental Examiners.
REPRESENTATIVE IVY SPOHNHOLZ
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 103.
BERNICE NISBETT, Staff
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a sectional analysis for CSHB
103(HSS), on behalf of Representative Spohnholz, prime sponsor.
HARRIET MILKS, Assistant Attorney General
Commercial and Fair Business Section
Civil Division, Juneau
Department of Law (DOL)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
103.
PAUL BARNEY, MD, Chair
Board of Examiners on Optometry
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 103.
JILL GEERING MATHESON, OD
Alaskan Vision Center Optometry
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 103.
SCOTT LIMSTROM, MD, President
Alaska Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (ASEPS)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 103.
EVAN WOLF, MD, Wolf Eye Center
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 103.
ERIK CHRISTIANSON, OD
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 103.
MATTHEW GUESS, MD
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 103.
KELLY LORENZ, MD
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 103.
STEVE DOBSON, OD
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 103.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:19:25 PM
CHAIR SAM KITO called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:19 p.m. Representatives
Josephson, Wool, Birch, Knopp, Stutes, Sullivan-Leonard, and
Kito were present at the call to order.
^Confirmation Hearings
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
Marijuana Control Board
Board of Marine Pilots
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Board of Massage Therapists
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 Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
Real Estate Commission
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors
Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
3:20:12 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the first order of business would be
confirmation hearings of the governor's appointments to various
state boards and commissions.
CHAIR KITO stated that the committee received 61 names of the
governor's appointments and members were asked to submit names
of any appointees they wished to speak with directly or
question. He stated that the committee requested to speak to
nine individuals.
3:21:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON stated that in his review of Jonathan
Vito's curriculum vitae (CV), Mr. Vito indicated he or a family
member might have a conflict of interest but did not give
details.
3:23:09 PM
JONATHAN VITO, Appointee, Board of Chiropractic Examiners,
testified as appointee to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
He offered clarification on his intent in filling out the
application. He stated that the conflicts implied were in
regard to peer action, such as reprimanding or licensing. As a
part owner of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab, LLC.,
determining licensure of someone who might potentially work for
him could be a conflict of interest.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked if Mr. Vito would be comfortable
declaring such a conflict in a meeting of the board.
MR. VITO answered yes.
3:23:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked for Mr. Vito's impressions
of how the board works and what he would bring to the table to
help the board.
MR. VITO offered his belief that the board helps to structure
Alaska statutes regarding what the chiropractors can do in the
state. He stated that he hopes to bring new, young blood to the
board, new ways of thinking, and more integration into
chiropractic clinics. He stated his desire to speed up the
licensing process with online tests for new licensees and "when
we do have the board meetings, do their meeting with the board
then and not have to wait every three months to be able to get a
license."
3:26:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked the next appointee, Robert Klein,
whether he would produce disclosures of financial data about
potential conflicts of interest. He stated that when Mr. Klein
was asked if there could be any potential family conflict, he
said no. He asked if Mr. Klein is declining to provide
financial data as required by law.
3:26:40 PM
ROBERT KLEIN, Appointee, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board ("ABC
Board"), testified as appointee to the ABC Board. Responding to
Representative Josephson's question, he answered no. He stated
that he recently filled out his Alaska Public Offices Commission
(APOC) disclosure, which gave the required financial
information. He disclosed that if confirmed, he would continue
to be an industry member of the board. He informed that he has
served on the board for a number of years and has never
hesitated to declare any conflicts.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked for confirmation that Mr. Klein's
financial data has been provided.
MR. KLEIN said that he has complied with APOC [requirements],
which include financial reporting.
3:27:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked if Mr. Klein is currently involved
in the rewrite of Title IV.
MR. KLEIN stated that he has been on the board for a number of
years and the [Title IV rewrite] process has been going on since
May of 2012. Last year, the board brought forth Senate Bill 165
with a portion of the rewrite. He offered his hope that this
year's SB 76 is the end of a long road to rewrite Title IV. He
stated that he has been very involved in the rewrite process.
3:28:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER asked Mr. Klein to explain his views on
the balance of power between the ABC Board and municipal
governments.
MR. KLEIN responded that the current structure of Title IV gives
municipalities the chance to comment on any license that comes
before them - either new or renewal licenses. It also gives
municipalities the right to object to a license. The ABC Board
can't override that protest unless the board finds the protest
to be arbitrary, unreasonable, or capricious. He expressed that
municipalities have a tremendous say in what happens.
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER asked for Mr. Klein's interpretation of
arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable.
MR. KLEIN stated that it usually means that there has either
been a misinterpretation of Title IV or some special interest
has overly exerted influence on a municipality's decision that
is not fair or logical. He stated that for the most part, any
objection from a municipality is carried through and is
supported by the board.
3:30:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER asked Mr. Klein to speak to his
experiences in rural Alaska and any developments he has been
following in communities that are transitioning to new phases
with alcohol.
MR. KLEIN responded that he has served on the board for many
years and the board has been very involved in rural communities.
The board is required to meet in every judicial district once a
year, and the board encourages local communities'
representatives to come forward. He stated that the board has
used these meetings as an educational tool. He spoke about
meeting in Nome where the board met with members of the assembly
to educate them on the rights and responsibilities they have
regarding licenses.
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER asked if the possible Title IV changes
could affect rural communities deciding if they want to be damp,
dry, or wet.
MR. KLEIN stated that the Title IV changes mostly regard
enforcement, troopers, and alcohol consumption in rural areas.
The board discovered that the marijuana industry's regulations
made necessary tweaks to the way localities select and put into
effect local options. He offered that the board's next phase of
Title IV changes would address some of those issues. Currently,
Title IV is mainly concerned with enforcement.
3:32:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER asked how Title IV may anticipate
problems of enforcement in dry villages when a nearby community
goes wet. He asked what tools could help communities that wish
to be dry.
MR. KLEIN stated that it is a real conundrum. The board has
tried to "sure up" enforcement and improve data collection. He
remarked, "The real issues are with the villages, how they ...
teach and train people to stay out of ... the adjacent areas
where alcohol is readily available." He stated that when a
license like that comes up before the ABC Board, the board looks
at what steps can be taken and makes sure that the licensee
understands the coinciding responsibility to the surrounding
communities.
3:34:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL noted that last year a bill about the makeup
of the board was passed. He asked if Mr. Klein thinks that the
current makeup of the board is functioning well, and that
industry representation is adequate.
MR. KLEIN responded, "I do." He stated that the model has
existed since the 1980s and has been working well. He noted
that last year's House Bill 165 created a permanent chair for
public safety. He expressed that throughout the years, most
governors have appointed someone with an affiliation to public
safety, so it wasn't a radical change. He offered his opinion
that the size of the board - five members - and having two
industry members works extremely well.
3:35:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL analyzed that with a five-member board, two
industry representatives are "about all you could do." He
commented that the industry has changed lately with a growing
brewery industry. He stated that distribution, beer and wine,
beverage dispensary, and other license holders are not
represented by the board. He noted that Mr. Klein, who
represents the distillery portion of the industry, has held a
seat at the board for many years. He asked if there should be
more representation from the other areas of the industry.
MR. KLEIN stated that he also serves on the board of directors
for Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers
Association's (CHARR). He noted that the CHARR Board has
several members who are manufacturers and has representation
from all aspects of retail. He stated that there are good lines
of communication. He explained that in his past, he spent time
working in retail and consulting wholesalers, and he now runs a
distillery; therefore, he has experience with the whole
industry. He expressed that the industry has adequate
representation on the ABC Board.
3:37:26 PM
CHAIR KITO commented that the current Title IV rewrite deals
with enforcement. Alaska has a geographic issue that makes
enforcing some components of law in smaller communities
difficult. He offered his opinion that it is important to have
tools in place to ensure that communities that wish to stay dry
have the ability to do so without a flood of product coming in
from an adjacent wet community. He remarked,
As you're looking at enforcement or as you're looking
at possible ... statutory changes, with your expertise
in the industry, with the other members of the board's
expertise in their areas, I think it will be important
to try and figure out how we can help support some of
these communities that really do want to try and
protect their citizens. ... And instead of drawing
the line around the community that's going wet, can we
try and figure out a way that we can enable some of
these smaller communities to have tools that can help
protect them from alcohol coming into their
communities?
CHAIR KITO asked Mr. Klein to consider his comments during his
service with the ABC Board.
MR. KLEIN responded, "It's advice well taken."
CHAIR KITO thanked Mr. Klein for his willingness to serve on the
board. He noted that the committee would next speak with Lee
Holen.
3:39:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON noted that Ms. Holen's application
stated that she would fully disclose personal financial data,
and she declared that there could be a conflict of interest if
she were appointed to the Alaska Labor Relations Agency. He
asked her to explain.
3:40:16 PM
LEE HOLEN, Appointee, Alaska Labor Relations Agency, testified
as appointee to the Alaska Labor Relations Agency. She stated
that she was concerned about a potential conflict of interest if
one of her clients were to come before the board. She expressed
that she does not foresee any financial conflict because she
wouldn't hear a matter involving someone from whom she had
received financial benefits.
3:40:49 PM
CHAIR KITO thanked Ms. Holen for speaking to the committee. He
noted that the committee would next speak with Suzanne Dutson.
3:41:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON stated that Ms. Dutson's CV reflects
that the governor wisely chose someone with a strong background.
He asked if Ms. Dutson is willing to disclose her personal
financial data as required.
3:42:05 PM
SUZANNE DUTSON, Appointee, Board of Psychologists and
Psychological Associate Examiners, testified as appointee to the
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners.
She responded "absolutely" to Representative Josephson's
question.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON commented that he wanted to make sure
appointees know it is a current responsibility.
3:42:40 PM
CHAIR KITO thanked Ms. Dutson for speaking to the committee. He
noted that the committee would next speak with Dr. Michael
Moriarty.
3:43:00 PM
MICHAEL MORIARTY, DDS, Appointee, Board of Dental Examiners,
testified as appointee to the Board of Dental Examiners. He
stated that he is a dentist in Seward, Alaska.
[The committee asked Mr. Moriarty no questions.]
CHAIR KITO thanked Mr. Moriarty.
3:44:05 PM
CHAIR KITO reminded the members that signing the reports
regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way
reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees, and that the nominations are merely forwarded to the
full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
3:44:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD opined that the information
attained from the appointees through committee discussion and
questions should be added to their CVs.
CHAIR KITO stated his belief that applications would not be
modified; however, the questions and responses would be included
in the written minutes and audio recording.
3:45:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL moved to advance the list of the [57]
appointees to various boards and commissions reviewed by the
House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee to the joint session
of the House and Senate for consideration.
3:45:24 PM
CHAIR KITO objected for the purpose of acknowledging the names
of the appointees whose confirmations had been reviewed [details
provided in the committee calendar].
3:49:07 PM
CHAIR KITO removed his objection. There being no further
objection, the confirmations for the 57 appointees were
advanced.
3:49:14 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:49 p.m. to 3:52 p.m.
HB 170-AK SECURITIES ACT; PENALTIES; CRT. RULES
3:52:04 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 170, "An Act relating to securities,
registration, exempt securities, exempt transactions, broker-
dealers, agents, investment advice, investment advisers,
investment adviser representatives, federal covered securities,
federal covered investment advisers, viatical settlement
interests, small intrastate security offerings, Canadian broker-
dealers, and Canadian agents; relating to administrative, civil,
and criminal enforcement provisions, including restitution and
civil penalties for violations; relating to an investor training
fund; establishing increased civil penalties for harming older
persons and vulnerable adults; relating to corporations
organized under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act;
amending Rules 4, 5, 54, 65, and 90, Alaska Rules of Civil
Procedure, and Rule 602, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure;
and providing for an effective date."
3:52:56 PM
CHAIR KITO, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 170.
3:53:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL moved to report HB 170 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HB 170 was reported out of the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
3:53:32 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:53 p.m. to 3:56 p.m.
HB 103-OPTOMETRY & OPTOMETRISTS
[Contains mention of SB 36]
3:56:34 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 103, "An Act relating to the practice of
optometry." [Before the committee was CSHB 103(HSS).]
3:57:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE IVY SPOHNHOLZ, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 103. She explained that the proposed bill
would give authority to the Board of Examiners in Optometry to
regulate the practice of optometry; it would ensure that the
board has the opportunity to update current, continuing
education which is more expansive than those in policy, the
scope of best practices, and would allow the board to use the
regulatory process to manage itself. Representative Spohnholz
would allow a transparent regulatory process ensuring the
vetting of any new board regulations with public and the
Department of Law. The proposed bill would not allow
optometrists to provide services outside of their scope of
practice. Representative Spohnholz stated, "My hope is this
will get the legislature out of the business of managing
optometry."
3:58:39 PM
BERNICE NISBETT, Staff, Representative Ivy Spohnholz, Alaska
State Legislature, presented a sectional analysis for CSHB
103(HSS), on behalf of Representative Spohnholz, prime sponsor.
She drew attention to the beginning of the sectional analysis,
which read as follows [original punctuation provided, with some
formatting changes]:
Section one AS.08.72.050 (4)(6) updates very old
statutes to indicate that regulations shall be adopted
to govern the current prescription and use of
Pharmaceutical agents; and develop uniform standards
for the practice of optometry.
MS. NISBETT added that the most significant change in Section 1
is that the language regarding ophthalmic surgery and non-
invasive procedures has been removed [from the original bill
version]. She continued to Section 2, described in the
sectional analysis, as follows [original punctuation provided,
with some formatting changes]:
Section two AS.08.72.060 (c)(4) the board shall
publish advisory opinions regarding standards for the
practice of optometry.
MS. NISBETT included that the sponsor of the bill would like to
add an amendment to tighten up the language and would introduce
the amendment at a later date. She pointed to page 1, line 13,
and explained that "sec.11, ch.25, SLA" refers to the Medicaid
Reform Bill that was passed in 2016. She noted that "AS
17.30.200(o)" also refers to the Medicaid Reform Bill.
MS. NISBETT highlighted the remaining portion of the sectional
analysis, which read as follows [original punctuation provided,
with some formatting changes]:
Section three AS 08.72.181(d) moves the continuing
education (CE) requirements back into regulation, as
desired by the Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development. Continuing education is still
required by current statute, but the hours and
subjects will be determined by the board.
Section four AS 08.72.272(a) clarifies the current
statute for the board to regulate pharmaceutical agent
prescription including standards and limitations on
practice determined by the board.
Section five AS 08.72.278 Limitation on practice adds
a new section that sets limitations on services,
ensuring that the board may not authorize any
procedure beyond the scope of the licensee's education
and experience.
Section six AS 08.72.300(3) updates the optometry
definition to reflect current practice.
Section seven Effective date for Section 2. This is
because (3) of Section two was added to statute in
2016 via Senate Bill 74, the Medicaid Reform bill, and
it had the effective date of July 2017, so (4) is
written to comply with that date as well. (per
Legislative Drafting)
4:01:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL requested the information on the omitted
procedures in Section 1.
MS. NISBETT stated that the language in the original bill
version that was removed under the CS pertained to ophthalmic
surgery.
4:02:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ emphasized that to define ophthalmic
surgery in a way that made a clear statute is challenging; this
resulted in the language being taken out in the bill. She said
that the word "surgery" has a very specific meaning to the
average person but is a broadly used term in the medical field.
She shared that she had had a small foreign body removed from
her left eye and how that meets the definition of ophthalmic
surgery. She said she doesn't want to "split hairs" in the
statute but instead leave the authority to the board to develop
uniform standards of practice for optometry. Representative
Spohnholz stated this won't give the board the authority to
allow for surgeries that are outside of [a licensee's] scope of
practice. She stated that [the board] needs to find language
that will be relevant after a few years. She gave an example of
the language that isn't durable on page 2, section 3, which is a
whole section describing a timeframe for continuing education
that is not as aggressive as the board's regulations for
continuing education. Representative Spohnholz encouraged
allowing the board to regulate itself as regularly as it would
like, without having to bring requests for minor changes to the
legislature.
4:05:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked who determines the background
requirements for optometry practices regarding education and
training.
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ responded both the Board of Examiners
in Optometry and the Department of Law.
4:05:46 PM
MS. NESBITT, in response to a question from Representative
Knopp, explained that the sponsor intends to change the language
on page 2, line 6, of CSHB 103(HSS), which read as follows:
(4) publish advisory opinions regarding standards for
the practice seven of optometry as provided under this
chapter.
MS. NESBITT said [the bill sponsor] would like to change that
language to read as in the statute for the Alaska Board of
Nursing, AS 08.68.100(a)(9), which read as follows:
(9) publish advisory opinions regarding whether
nursing practice procedures or policies comply with
acceptable standards of nursing practice as defined
under this chapter;
MS. NESBITT noted that "optometric" would replace "nursing".
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP expressed his approval of the bill. He
said Ms. Nesbitt, in presenting the sectional analysis, had
addressed any concerns he had regarding optometrists operating
"within the limits of their training."
4:08:29 PM
HARRIET MILKS, Assistant Attorney General, Commercial and Fair
Business Section, Civil Division, Juneau, Department of Law
(DOL), said that she represented professional licensing boards.
4:08:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON related that Ms. Nesbitt had told him
that [the bill sponsor's] office would not "intervene on policy
or comment on how the board regulates itself." He asked if the
Department of Law has the authority to determine whether
optometrists have the necessary training to "do 'X'."
MS. MILKS responded, "Absolutely, that is our role, and the way
we do that is we look very carefully at the scope of the
statutory authority that you would give the board, and that's
our starting point." She explained that at that point the
Department of Law would advise the board if a proposed
regulation goes beyond the scope of the statutory authority.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON shared his understanding that
ophthalmologists have concerns that under the proposed bill,
optometrists would be able to define what treatment means. He
asked whether the department has any authority over the board's
decisions regarding treatment being within the scope of field of
optometry.
4:10:57 PM
MS. MILKS responded that it "can be a delicate balance." She
said the Department of Law doesn't make judgements or substitute
its vision of what the policy should be; it looks at the
language of the statute.
4:12:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked how the Good Samaritan Law would be
affected by CSHB 103 (HSS). He related that in rural areas of
the state, dentists, veterinarians, and physicians often help
outside their field of practice. Representative Birch offered a
hypothetical example of an individual getting a fish hook stuck
in his/her eye, and the only person in town that could help is
an optometrist.
MS. MILKS responded she would have to research the Good
Samaritan Law and get back to the committee. She added that
optometrists have authority to remove fish hooks.
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH stated many rural areas in Alaska have
incidences that would be affected by the proposal legislation,
and he stated that he is interested in the topic.
4:14:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked Ms. Milks if she was aware
of a court case where there had been a challenge regarding the
prescribed duties of optometrists versus ophthalmologists.
MS. MILKS replied that she was not familiar with any.
4:15:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL referred to Representative Spohnholz's
example that having a small foreign body taken out of her eye
would constitute surgery. He implied that the definition "would
make a lot of layman surgeons." He questioned if the definition
for surgery would need to be in statute, how the Department of
Law defined the terms, and if the Department of Law needed
direction through statute over words like surgery.
MS. MILKS stated the Department of Law refers to sources, such
as statute and the board, and the board seeks public comment.
She said, "What we don't do is make it up."
4:17:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP asked for Ms. Milks' thoughts on whether an
optometrist is equally qualified to do what an ophthalmologist
does.
MS. MILKS stated she did not have an opinion on that question.
4:17:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ cited current statute, AS 08.72.273,
which reads as follows:
Removal of foreign bodies. A licensee may remove
superficial foreign bodies from the eye and its
appendages. This section is not intended to permit a
licensee to perform invasive surgery.
She explained that she had read this statutory language to avoid
[the committee discussion] "going down the rabbit hole."
4:18:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON expressed his concern regarding the
ongoing dispute between the two professions, and he stated his
presumption that the debate will shift to the board.
4:20:02 PM
MS. MILKS answered that the Department of Law provides legal
advice at every public meeting if the board requests an
attorney. She stated that she can't predict what would happen
between the two professions.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON stated the previous version of the bill
that suggested an interest in optometrists performing surgery.
He opined that there would have to be "a day of reckoning where
some surgeries will be allowed, and some won't." He asked if
the proposed bill would resolve this or if it would be resolved
at a different date.
MS. MILKS deferred to the bill sponsor.
4:21:48 PM
CHAIR KITO opened public testimony on HB 103.
4:22:08 PM
PAUL BARNEY, MD, Chair, Board of Examiners on Optometry,
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
(DCCED), testified in support of HB 103. He noted that he is an
optometrist and past president of the Alaska Optometric
Association, who has practiced for the last 17 years as the
center director of the Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute
(PCLI), which is a referral center limited to medical and
surgical eye care. He continued as follows:
I practice with an ophthalmologist and a certified
registered nurse anesthetist. Our approach to eye
care is to approach it as a team and optimize each
practitioner's education and skills. I bring up my
mode of practice with other eye care professionals,
because by practicing to our fullest potential, we're
able to provide quality, more affordable, surgical eye
care for Alaskans. In fact, we are largest provider
of cataract care in the state of Alaska.
I support HB 103, because it'll allow the Board of
[Examiners on] Optometry to regulate the details of
the practice of optometry. This is how advance
practice nurses, dentists, and medical doctors are
regulated in Alaska. With that said, this legislation
will not set a new [precedent] in healthcare ... and
will not be a risk to Alaskans since this is already
the way other health care providers are regulated in
Alaska. HB 103 will give optometrists better
opportunity to practice at the highest level of their
education by allowing the Board of [Examiners on]
Optometry to write regulations that are commensurate
with educational advances that occur with new
technology. The current optometry statute was written
over 40 years ago and requires optometry to pursue a
statute change whenever there are advances in
education and technology. As you know, statute
changes are costly and time consuming.
Like other professional regulatory boards, the Board
of [Examiners on] Optometry cannot promulgate
regulations for practices or procedures that are
beyond the education of optometrists. The Board of
[Examiners on] Optometry is overseen by the Department
of Law, just like other healthcare boards, and the
Alaska Department of Law would ensure that the Board
of [Examiners on] Optometry's regulations were within
the scope of optometric education.
Other safeguards are our medical legal system and
insurance system. Any healthcare provider who
provides care outside of their education is subject to
disciplinary action by their respective board, as well
as serious medical legal ramifications. Additionally,
insurance carriers do not pay providers for care that
they provide outside their scope of education. As a
result, there's no incentive for any healthcare
provider to provide care outside of their education,
and there are very serious consequences, both
financially and to their licensure, to practitioners
that do provide care outside of their education.
As chair of the Alaska Board of [Examiners on]
Optometry, I can assure you that the primary concern
of the board is the safety of the public. In the six
years that I've served on the board, we've had no
complaints from the public that were serious enough
that they even considered disciplinary action.
Optometrists, in general, are conservative and
cautious practitioners, and the passage of HB 103
would not change their conservative nature.
HB 103 would be good for the state of Alaska. The
bill puts the regulatory details regarding the
practice of optometry in the authority of the Board of
[Examiners on] Optometry. These changes are important
to allow the profession and practice of optometry to
incorporate new technologies and advances in eyecare
as they occur. Optometry provides approximately 70
percent of the eye care in the U.S., and in rural
areas, especially in Alaska, they often are the only
eye care provider in the community. The citizens of
Alaska deserve to be served by a profession that is
allowed to stay current with advances in education and
new technology.
DR. BARNEY concluded his testimony by urging the committee to
support HB 103.
4:26:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked how optometrists and ophthalmologists
"do a hand-off" with their patients.
MR. BARNEY answered that optometrists and ophthalmologists work
well together. He stated that the two professions understand
each other's potential and know what statutory authority is in
each profession.
4:27:56 PM
JILL GEERING MATHESON, OD, Alaskan Vision Center Optometry,
testified in support of HB 103. She related that she was a
former chair of the Board of Examiners in Optometry. She
continued, as follows:
Over 25 years, I have testified numerous times before
this committee and many other legislative committees
in support of changes to the Alaska Optometry
statutes, and these have been successful over the
years. This is due to the level of trust that the ...
legislators have given optometrists in spite of
rhetoric saying that we were going to harm people.
Now I come before you not to argue safety or get the
efficacy of treatment options that need to be in
statute but to ask for your support for HB 103, which
gives the Board [of Examiners in Optometry] the
authority to regulate optometrists. Just as the
people of Alaska elect all of you to represent them
honestly, safely, and responsibly, the members of the
state boards and commissions are appointed and
confirmed by the legislature to do the same under
their various areas of expertise. The days of the
medical board's being the holy grail of overseeing
every health profession are long gone.
Alaska chose to set up separate boards for each
profession because each profession is unique, and
Alaska saw that the oversite for those professions
needed to be handled by those members. So, the people
of Alaska - through the legislature - have approved
statutes that are very broad to many of the other
health boards, and these boards are now able to
autonomously manage their respected profession in an
honest, safe, and responsible manner. The optometry
statute, on the other hand, is currently too
complicated and restrictive. All HB 103 does is allow
the state Board of Examiners in Optometry to have the
same autonomy.
DR. GEERING MATHESON said HB 103 is not about "eye surgery,"
which she said is a buzz term used by the opposition as a scare
tactic. She said she was licensed 25 years ago, and Doctors of
Optometry are trained to do minor surgeries that are within
their scope of practice. She said she would no more conduct an
eye surgery she was not qualified to do than would a dentist
perform jaw reconstruction, a nurse perform spinal surgery, or a
physician perform neural surgery. She stated her belief that
the world must evolve and that professions change. She stated,
"There is no way to predict what tools or treatment options a
Doctor of Optometry will need twenty years from now to protect
or cure the eyes and vision of a patient." She explained this
is why HB 103 is written with such broad language - "to allow
for updates as things advance" and encompass "unforeseeable
changes in technology." She said she trusts members of the
Board of Examiners of Optometry to make and oversee those
changes.
4:31:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked for examples of continuing
education units (CEUs) that would broaden the scope of practice
[within the field of optometry].
DR. MATHESON answered that CEUs are unforeseen. She gave an
example from other states of minor surgical procedures that
Alaska doesn't do, like laser procedures.
4:32:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP said the state and board mandates are for
the timeline for completion of CEUs for an optometrist.
DR. MATHESON answered that under regulation, optometrists are
required to complete 18 hours every year. She said the
licensing period is two years, so the total requirement is 36
hours during each licensing period. The 36-hour requirement
under regulation is more than the current statutory requirement,
which is eight hours.
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP asked what credentials optometrists need to
get and how many years it takes them to get certified.
DR. MATHESON answered four years undergraduate, four years
optometry school, and then optional residencies.
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP mentioned that some ophthalmologists are
certified in laser procedures while others are not, and he asked
if there have been recent changes with that issue.
DR. MATHESON indicated she did not know.
4:34:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL referenced feedback his office received that
highlights a difference of opinion between ophthalmologists and
optometrists as to what optometrist are qualified to do. He
then asked if continuing education counts as "basic training."
4:36:01 PM
DR. MATHESON answered that if the board allowed a new procedure,
then there would be required training that would go along with
that new procedure. She gave an example of what has been done
in the past with new procedures and the number of hours
optometrists have had to complete before they were allowed to
perform that procedure.
4:37:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL gave an example of dental hygienists in
other states administering Novocain injections, which 20 years
ago may not have happened. He asked what the process would be
for the board to allow changes.
DR. MATHESON answered that all medical professionals must meet a
standard of care and all are held to high standards through
their education.
4:38:41 PM
SCOTT LIMSTROM, MD, President, Alaska Society of Eye Physicians
and Surgeons (ASEPS), stated that HB 103 and its companion bill
SB 36 are opposed by the Alaska Society of Eye Physicians and
Surgeons, the State of Alaska Board of Medical Examiners, the
Alaska State Medical Association, and the American Academy of
Ophthalmology. He stated that the controversy with the proposed
legislation is that it would allow non-medical professionals
unrestricted ability to prescribe all scheduled drugs. He said,
as an ophthalmologist, he rarely prescribes narcotics for pain
control. He spoke of the epidemic in Alaska resulting in deaths
from overdoses of narcotics.
4:40:38 PM
DR. LIMSTROM opined that HB 103 and SB 36, as written, are the
most expansive scope of practice bills in the nation. He stated
that the proposed legislation would give the board full
authority to determine which invasive, diagnostic, and surgical
procedures ophthalmologists may perform on patient's eyes. He
noted that there are no doctors or surgeons on the board. In
response to a previous remark by the bill sponsor that the
attorney general would be scrutinizing the regulations of the
board, he questioned what the attorney general's qualifications
are on eye surgery. He referenced the State of Washington as
having very clear law defining eye surgery. In the law
optometrists are prohibited from performing surgery. Dr.
Limstrom said ASEPS requests clear definition of eye surgery.
He opined that for the safety of [Alaskans], HB 103 should not
move forward.
4:41:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP asked if prescribing drugs will be covered
under continuing education requirements.
DR. LIMSTROM stated the bill gives unrestricted ability to
prescribe all scheduled drugs.
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP noted that Dr. Limstrom had requested a
clear definition of eye surgery. He questioned whether Dr.
Limstrom felt description of the educational experience of
optometrists was insufficient.
DR. LIMSTROM answered no, he doesn't. He referenced that
Washington State enacted a definition many years ago. He
expressed concern that the current bill could leave the board to
define what [optometrists] can and can't do and dictate what the
education requirements are.
4:44:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked if dentists and nurses have the same
authority as ophthalmologists for prescribing narcotics.
DR. LIMSTROM stated he isn't familiar with what authority nurses
and dentists have. The requirements for becoming an
ophthalmologist, as a medical doctor, include going to medical
school, serving internships, and undergoing fellowship training.
He explained his ability subscribe all five scheduled
medications but said the strongest medication he prescribes, as
a physician, is hydrocodone and rarely his prescriptions go
beyond three to four days post operation. Dr. Limstrom stated
that the reason these medications are restricted is that the
more prescriptions are written, the more abuse will occur in the
general public. So, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) restricted
[prescribing ability], it caused a reduction in the number of
prescriptions being written.
4:45:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked what ophthalmic surgeries are
acceptable for optometrists to get trained on and perform.
DR. LIMSTROM stated that Representative Josephson would get a
different answer regarding what is acceptable and unacceptable,
depending on whom he asks. He affirmed that there are
procedures that optometrists are allowed to perform and that
there are more procedures that optometrists are capable of with
the proper training. He questioned if it is necessary or safe
for the public. He said a person who wants to perform a surgery
with general anesthesia has to go to medical school. He
asserted that as an ophthalmologist, the procedures he does are
complicated, and many require generalized anesthesia. He warned
that the danger of HB 103 is that the optometrists have not had
[the same level of] training.
4:47:31 PM
EVAN WOLF, MD, Wolf Eye Center, testified in opposition to HB
103. He said he has been in practice for 15 years. He opined
that the proposed bill is the most expansive scope of practice
bill in the country. He referenced Washington State's
legislation, which established a definition on the scope of
practice for optometry, the definition of surgery, and a list of
procedures that aren't considered surgical and, thus, can be
done by an optometrist in the clinic. He cited a Washington
State statute labeled RCW 18.53.010, Section 8, which he opined
would be a good reference for Alaska lawmakers. Dr. Wolf cited
Malcolm Gladwell's book, Outliers. The book theorizes that it
takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in anything. He
explained how this theory relates to surgical knowledge, since
it took him 26,000 hours of training to use laser and perform
cataract surgery safely. He stated that the training for an
optometrist would be about 8,000 hours. Dr. Wolf cited a 2016
Journal of America Medical Association (JAMA) study, in which
Joshua Dr. Stein, MD, MS, discovered what happens if an
optometrists and ophthalmologist perform the same procedures, in
states like Kentucky and Oklahoma where optometrists are doing
basic laser procedures. The study asked what the outcomes would
be if they compared optometrists or ophthalmologists doing the
same procedures. Dr. Wolf said the study showed that worst-case
scenario is that the procedure needs to be repeated. The study
found that procedures performed by optometrists were 2.3 times
more likely to need to be repeated compared to those performed
by ophthalmologists.
4:52:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if Dr. Wolf did 26,000 hours of
training before performing an unaccompanied surgery.
DR. WOLF answered by stating his 26,000 hours of training
included medical school and residency. Residency is a four-year
process of learning, including basic surgeries and development
of knowledge and vocabulary.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if Dr. Wolf's overall medical
education of eight years was not specifically surgery training.
DR. WOLF broke down the hours of training he obtained: 12,000
hours of medical training and 14,000 hours of ophthalmology
training.
4:53:54 PM
ERIK CHRISTIANSON, OD, testified in support of HB 103. He
stated that as the only medically based optometrist in
Ketchikan, he sees how HB 103 could benefit his community. He
already performs minor surgeries every day and refers patients
to ophthalmologists for complex surgeries. His community and
the communities around him only have access to ophthalmologists
who rotate through; it can be tough to get an ophthalmologist
because of travel restraints. Dr. Christianson said he knows of
patients performing minor procedures on themselves because of
the lack of medically trained individuals available. Dr.
Christianson is asking [the legislature] to modernize the
optometry statute so that optometrists are "able to do things
within our training."
4:57:56 PM
MATTHEW GUESS, MD, testified in opposition to HB 103. He
expressed concern that under HB 103, the Board of Examiners in
Optometry could self-regulate its scope of practice, thus
allowing invasive procedures in or around the eye, for which
optometrists have received no meaningful formal training. He
referenced earlier testimony by Dr. Matheson, in which he
indicated that part of ophthalmologists' continuing education
required seven hours of injection training for eyelid
procedures. He said he spent time in medical school,
residencies, and two extra years of training in a fellowship,
and he learned to both diagnose and treat diseases of the eye
with operative procedures and operative invasive surgeries.
During that time, he spent two years in a fellowship, worked 55
to 65 hours per week, examined tens of thousands of patients,
and performed thousands of surgeries under the guidance of
experienced mentors. He stated there is no substitute for this
training; the training allows him to provide diagnoses treatment
and perform procedures and surgeries in the safest possible
manner for patients. He stated that seven hours of training a
year sounds like a minimal amount of work to learn new
procedures or stay current on the procedures that are available.
5:00:24 PM
KELLY LORENZ, MD, testified in opposition to 103. She expressed
concern over the vague wording of HB 103 and stated the proposed
bill would support optometrists performing procedures that they
are not adequately trained to do, including: several types of
laser procedures; eyelid surgery, including eye lifts; limbal
relaxing incisions; and many other procedures. She stated her
concern that "a couple weekend courses at a local hotel by an
optometrist will not make up for years of surgical training by
an ophthalmologist." She stated that the bill would lower the
standards of surgical care in Alaska. She shared statistics
that 90 percent of people polled stated they would rather have a
medical doctor performing a surgery.
5:03:30 PM
STEVE DOBSON, OD, testified in support of HB 103. He said he
has answers for all the questions he heard from the
ophthalmologists that had testified. He said he thinks either
there is intent to mislead or, perhaps, there is a
misunderstanding of the intent of the proposed legislation. He
stated that HB 103 is not about surgery but, for some reason,
organized ophthalmology has turned it into "a surgical bill."
He said HB 103 is about board autonomy and about optometrists
practicing at the highest level for which they are trained. He
indicated that malpractice is the same in those states [that
allow optometrists] to perform minor procedures, such as minor
laser procedures, as it is in Alaska, and he emphasized that
"insurance companies understand risk." Dr. Dobson stated,
"Obviously optometrists are doing what they trained to do and
nothing more." He continued, "Optometrists are trained in very
few of the procedures that ophthalmologists do. I think we all
agree with that. And that's not what we're trying to do, and
it's actually not what this legislation is about." Dr. Dobson
stressed the importance of what ophthalmologists do, and he
reiterated that there is little crossover between the two
professions. He proffered that if dentists and nurses can
maintain their own boards, then it's time optometrists were
given the respect and consideration to regulate themselves. He
said [this issue] has been repeated before the legislature for
years, with the same arguments given by ophthalmologists, whom
he said vehemently oppose the recognition of "any of the
advances in optometric care."
5:08:25 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that HB 103 was held over.
5:09:04 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
5:09 p.m.