Legislature(2023 - 2024)ANCH LIO DENALI Rm

12/05/2023 02:00 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ HB 115 NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+= HB 100 PAID FAMILY LEAVE TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
*+ HB 186 VOLUNTEER LABOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER PRGM TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
+= HB 119 MARIJUANA TAX TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
          HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                         
                       Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                        
                        December 5, 2023                                                                                        
                           2:03 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Jesse Sumner, Chair                                                                                              
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair (via teleconference)                                                                
Representative Mike Prax                                                                                                        
Representative Dan Saddler (via teleconference)                                                                                 
Representative Stanley Wright                                                                                                   
Representative Ashley Carrick (via teleconference)                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Zack Fields                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 119                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to marijuana taxes; and providing for an                                                                       
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 186                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to volunteer labor compliance officers; and                                                                    
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 115                                                                                                              
"An  Act relating  to the  practice  of naturopathy;  establishing                                                              
the  Naturopathy  Advisory Board;  relating  to the  licensure  of                                                              
naturopaths; relating  to disciplinary sanctions  for naturopaths;                                                              
relating to  the Department of  Commerce, Community,  and Economic                                                              
Development; and providing for an effective date."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 100                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to teacher and public employee leave."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 119                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: MARIJUANA TAX                                                                                                      
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
03/17/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/17/23       (H)       L&C, FIN                                                                                               
03/24/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
03/24/23       (H)       <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
03/31/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
03/31/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/31/23       (H)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
04/24/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
04/24/23       (H)       <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 04/26/23>                                                                 
04/26/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
04/26/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/26/23       (H)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
08/17/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm                                                                      
08/17/23       (H)       -- Rescheduled to 09/14/23 --                                                                          
09/14/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm                                                                      
09/14/23       (H)       -- Rescheduled from 08/17/23 --                                                                        
11/16/23       (H)       L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm                                                                      
11/16/23       (H)       VOLUNTEER LABOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER PRGM                                                                
12/05/23       (H)       L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 186                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: VOLUNTEER LABOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER PRGM                                                                            
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
05/03/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
05/03/23       (H)       L&C, FIN                                                                                               
11/16/23       (H)       L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm                                                                      
11/16/23       (H)       <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
12/05/23       (H)       L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 115                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE                                                                                   
SPONSOR(s): PRAX                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
03/17/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/17/23       (H)       HSS, JUD, L&C                                                                                          
03/25/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
03/25/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/25/23       (H)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/06/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
04/06/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/06/23       (H)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/11/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
04/11/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/11/23       (H)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/13/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
04/13/23       (H)       <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
04/18/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
04/18/23       (H)       Moved HB 115 Out of Committee                                                                          
04/18/23       (H)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/19/23       (H)       JUD REFERRAL REMOVED                                                                                   
04/19/23       (H)       BILL REPRINTED                                                                                         
04/20/23       (H)       HSS RPT 1DP 1NR 5AM                                                                                    
04/20/23       (H)       DP: PRAX                                                                                               
04/20/23       (H)       NR: MCCORMICK                                                                                          
04/20/23       (H)       AM: FIELDS, SUMNER, RUFFRIDGE, SADDLER,                                                                
                         MINA                                                                                                   
12/05/23       (H)       L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 100                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: PAID FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE PLAN                                                                                   
SPONSOR(s): ARMSTRONG                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
03/08/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/08/23       (H)       L&C, EDC                                                                                               
04/07/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
04/07/23       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
04/10/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
04/10/23       (H)       <Bill Hearing  Canceled>                                                                               
05/01/23       (H)       L&C AT  3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                             
05/01/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
05/01/23       (H)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
12/05/23       (H)       L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. METCALF (ph.), Staff                                                                                                        
Representative Jesse Sumner                                                                                                     
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  On behalf of the sponsor, the House Labor                                                                
and Commerce Standing Committee, presented the sponsor statement                                                                
and sectional analysis for HB 186.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
NATALIE WIGGINS, ND                                                                                                             
Alaska Association of Naturopathic Doctors                                                                                      
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided invited testimony on HB 115.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CARRIE BALDWIN-SAYRE, ND, Director of Development                                                                               
National University of Natural Medicine                                                                                         
Portland, Oregon                                                                                                                
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided invited testimony on HB 115.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CLYDE JENSEN, PhD, MS, Professor of Pharmacology                                                                                
College of Osteopathic Medicine                                                                                                 
Rocky Vista University                                                                                                          
Ivins, Utah                                                                                                                     
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided invited testimony on HB 115.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SEAN HIGGINS, MD, Emergency Room Physician,                                                                                     
Alaska Regional Hospital                                                                                                        
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided invited testimony on HB 115.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROB DOWNEY, MD                                                                                                                  
Seaworthy Functional Medicine                                                                                                   
South Peninsula Hospital                                                                                                        
Homer, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided invited testimony on HB 115.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT LUPER, ND,                                                                                                                
Alaska Association of Naturopathic Doctors                                                                                      
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided invited testimony on HB 115.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JENNIE ARMSTRONG                                                                                                 
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As the prime sponsor, presented HB 100.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
TRISTAN WALSH, Staff                                                                                                            
Representative Jennie Armstrong                                                                                                 
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  On behalf of Representative Armstrong,                                                                   
prime sponsor, gave the sectional analysis of HB 100 and                                                                        
answered questions.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:03:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR JESSE SUMNER called the House Labor and Commerce Standing                                                               
Committee meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.  Representatives                                                                        
Ruffridge  (via   teleconference),  Prax,  Wright,   Carrick  (via                                                              
teleconference),  and Sumner were  present at  the call  to order.                                                              
Representative  Saddler   arrived  (via  teleconference)   as  the                                                              
meeting was in progress.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                      HB 119-MARIJUANA TAX                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:04:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced  that the first order of  business would be                                                              
HOUSE  BILL NO.  119, "An  Act relating  to  marijuana taxes;  and                                                              
providing  for  an  effective  date."     [Before  the  committee,                                                              
adopted  as  a  working document  on  4/26/23,  was  the  proposed                                                              
committee  substitute  (CS)  for   HB  119,  Version  33-LS0636\B,                                                              
Radford, 4/18/23, as amended on 11/16/23, ("Version B").                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:04:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  WRIGHT moved to  rescind the committee's  previous                                                              
action  in  adopting  Amendment  9  to CSHB  119,  Version  B,  as                                                              
amended.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:05:21 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK  objected.   She observed that  Amendment 9                                                              
had not been offered.   She suggested that Amendment  8 could have                                                              
been the amendment Representative Wright is referring to.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:05:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:05 p.m. to 2:06 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:06:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER  read Amendment  9 to CSHB  119, as amended,  labeled                                                              
33-LS0636\B.9, Radford, 10/11/23, which read as follows:                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 10, through page 2, line 7:                                                                                   
          Delete all material and insert:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
        * Sec. 2. AS 43.61.010(F) is amended to read:                                                                         
          (f)  The marijuana education and treatment fund                                                                       
     is  established in  the general  fund.   In addition  to                                                                   
     the   accounting  under   (c)  of   this  section,   the                                                                   
     Department  of Administration  shall separately  account                                                                   
     for 25 percent  of the tax collected under  this section                                                                   
     and  deposit   it  into  the  marijuana   education  and                                                                   
     treatment  fund.    The  Department   of  Administration                                                                   
     shall  deposit  interest earned  on  the fund  into  the                                                                   
     general fund.   Money in the  fund does not  lapse. [THE                                                                   
     LEGISLATURE  MAY USE  THE  ANNUAL ESTIMATED  BALANCE  IN                                                                   
     THE  FUND TO MAKE  APPROPRIATIONS TO  THE DEPARTMENT  OF                                                                   
     HEALTH  FOR THE  COMPREHENSIVE  MARIJUANA USE  EDUCATION                                                                   
     AND    TREATMENT    PROGRAM   ESTABLISHED    UNDER    AS                                                                   
     44.29.020(A)(114).]"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:07:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK removed her objection.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:07:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX maintained  his  objection.   He stated  that                                                              
the  primary  purpose  of  the  amendment  is  to  make  a  yearly                                                              
decision on which programs receive dedicated funds.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:07:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced  that the motion to reconsider  has passed,                                                              
and Amendment 9 was before the committee.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:08:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RUFFRIDGE clarified that  according to  his record                                                              
of  the previous  committee  meeting,  Amendment  9 had  not  been                                                              
heard  or passed.   He advised  that the  committee should  ensure                                                              
that it is speaking to the correct amendment.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:09:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:09 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:10:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER ruled  that the rescinding action on  Amendment 9 was                                                              
out of order because the amendment had not been moved.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:10:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  WRIGHT moved to  rescind the committee's  previous                                                              
action in adopting Amendment 8 to Version B, as amended.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  SUMNER, without  objection,  announced that  the motion  to                                                              
reconsider  the previous action  has passed,  and Amendment  8 was                                                              
before the committee.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:11:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX  objected for the  purpose of discussion.   He                                                              
requested that Amendment 8 be read.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:11:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  SUMNER  read  Amendment  8  to  CSHB  119,  Version  B,  as                                                              
amended, labeled  33-LS0636\B.8, Radford,  10/8/23, which  read as                                                              
follows:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 10, through page 2, line 7:                                                                                   
          Delete all material.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 9:                                                                                                            
          Delete "AS 43.61.010(b) is"                                                                                           
          Insert      "AS 43.61.010(b)     -      (f)     and                                                                   
     AS 44.29.020(a)(14) are"                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 15:                                                                                                           
          Delete "Sections 3 - 5"                                                                                               
          Insert "Sections 2 - 4"                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Page 3, line 16:                                                                                                           
          Delete "sec. 9"                                                                                                       
          Insert "sec. 8"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:12:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX commented  that  his  objective concerns  the                                                              
deletion  of  the  designated  funding  from  the  marijuana  tax;                                                              
however, he expressed the intention  not to delete any programs.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:13:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
A roll call  vote was taken.   Representative Prax voted  in favor                                                              
of   Amendment   8  to   CSHB   119,   Version  B,   as   amended.                                                              
Representatives  Wright, Carrick,  Ruffridge, Saddler,  and Sumner                                                              
voted against it.   Therefore, Amendment 8 failed by  a vote of 1-                                                              
5.                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:14:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
[CSHB 119, Version B, as amended, was held over.]                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
         HB 186-VOLUNTEER LABOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER PRGM                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:14:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be                                                                 
HOUSE BILL NO. 186, "An Act relating to volunteer labor                                                                         
compliance officers; and providing for an effective date."                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:15:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  METCALF  (ph), Staff,  Representative  Jesse  Sumner,  Alaska                                                              
State Legislature,  on behalf of the sponsor, the  House Labor and                                                              
Commerce  Standing Committee,  presented  HB  186 and  paraphrased                                                              
the sponsor  statement [copy  included in  the committee  packet],                                                              
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     In Alaska,  the construction industry  plays a vital  role in                                                              
     our state's  economy, employing  hardworking individuals  who                                                              
     contribute   to   the   growth   and   development   of   our                                                              
     communities.  While   many  employers  treat   their  workers                                                              
     fairly, some  engage in unfair  practices that  harm workers.                                                              
     Wage theft  remains a  persistent issue, impacting  countless                                                              
     workers who  rightfully deserve  fair compensation  for their                                                              
     efforts.  To address  this problem,  House Bill 186  proposes                                                              
     the  creation   of  a  Volunteer  Labor   Compliance  Officer                                                              
     Program,  aimed at promoting  compliance with Alaska's  labor                                                              
     laws, educating  workers about  their rights, and  harnessing                                                              
     the  power  of community  volunteers  to  ensure  a fair  and                                                              
     competitive construction industry.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     The creation of a statewide Volunteer Labor Compliance                                                                     
     Officer Program will serve multiple purposes:                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
          1.  Provide   Technical  Assistance   and  Support:                                                                   
          Contractors   and   subcontractors   will   receive                                                                   
          technical   guidance   to  ensure   proper   worker                                                                   
          classification and adherence to Alaska's labor                                                                        
          laws.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
       2. Empower Workers: More workers will be educated                                                                        
      about    their   wage-related   rights,    ensuring                                                                       
          awareness of their entitlements.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
          3.   Leverage  Community   Volunteers:   Authorized                                                                   
          community volunteers  will be trained  to interview                                                                   
          workers  at worksites  concerning wages,  benefits,                                                                   
          and  hours,  reducing   the  burden  on  government                                                                   
          resources, and fostering labor law compliance.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
          4.  Reduce  the  Budget:   Alleviate  state  budget                                                                   
          pressures  while  enhancing labor  law  enforcement                                                                   
          in Alaska's construction industry.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Creating  a   new  program  like  the   Volunteer  Labor                                                                   
     Compliance  Program raises  the ceiling  by lifting  the                                                                   
     floor, ensuring  that workers  are protected on  the job                                                                   
     while  simultaneously  promoting   economic  development                                                                   
     and  growth within  our  state. By  ensuring  compliance                                                                   
     with   labor   standards,    we   can   prevent   unfair                                                                   
     competition  resulting from  unscrupulous employers  who                                                                   
     exploit  workers and  undermine responsible  businesses.                                                                   
     This  will create  an environment  that encourages  fair                                                                   
     and  ethical practices,  fostering  healthy  competition                                                                   
     and  attracting  businesses  that prioritize  the  well-                                                                   
     being of their workforce.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     In conclusion,  we urge you to support and  champion the                                                                   
     passage of  House Bill 186  to create a Volunteer  Labor                                                                   
     Compliance Officer  Program in Alaska. By doing  so, you                                                                   
     will  demonstrate  your  commitment  to the  rights  and                                                                   
     well-being  of workers, the  promotion of fair  business                                                                   
     practices, and the overall prosperity of our state.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:18:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. METCALF paraphrased the sectional analysis of HB 186 [copy                                                                  
included in the committee packet], which read as follows                                                                        
[original punctuation provided]:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Section 1:  Adds new Article  to AS 23.05 directing  the                                                                   
     Department  of   Labor  and  Workforce   Development  to                                                                   
     create  a  Volunteer Labor  Compliance  Officer  Program                                                                   
     for  said volunteers  to inspect  construction sites  in                                                                   
     order  to document  compliance  with  state labor  laws.                                                                   
     The  Department  of  Labor   and  Workplace  Development                                                                   
     through the  Volunteer Labor Compliance  Officer Program                                                                   
     will  ensure  the  state  has   a  roster  of  qualified                                                                   
     individuals   to   inspect    constructions   sites   by                                                                   
     providing   the  proper   training,  safety   equipment,                                                                   
     granting  them the  authority  to enter  a worksite  and                                                                   
     inspect   records   outlined   in  AS   23.05.100.   The                                                                   
     Department   will    also   outline   regulations    for                                                                   
     volunteers   such   as  ID   badges,   required   safety                                                                   
     equipment,   as  well   as   specifying  the   insurance                                                                   
     coverage needed by volunteers.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Article  6  adds  new  statues  to  AS  23.05  outlining                                                                   
     powers  and duties  of  the volunteer  labor  compliance                                                                   
     officer.  These powers  and duties  include the  ability                                                                   
     to access and  inspect a construction site  on behalf of                                                                   
     the   department    and   initiate   labor    compliance                                                                   
     investigation,  require  volunteers to  visibly  display                                                                   
     the Dept.  issued ID card  and wear the required  safety                                                                   
     equipment  on site,  email  a report  of the  Department                                                                   
     visit  within 48  hours, document  that  the officer  is                                                                   
     covered by  workers compensation, and  maintain required                                                                   
     confidentiality.  A volunteer  labor  compliance is  not                                                                   
     allowed  to  be a  state  employee, issue  citations  or                                                                   
     enforce   state  labor   laws.   While  conducting   the                                                                   
     investigation  the  volunteer  is not  allowed  to  wear                                                                   
     attire  of   any  other  organization  other   than  the                                                                   
     department,   disparage  the   employer,  organize,   or                                                                   
     promote  or display  insignia  for any  other entity  or                                                                   
     organization, or preform any type of work outside the                                                                      
     scope of  the volunteer  labor compliance officer  while                                                                   
     acting  the capacity  of  a volunteer  labor  compliance                                                                   
     officer.  Article  6  also  adds  statues  to  AS  23.05                                                                   
     outlining   to  the   department   the  requirements   a                                                                   
     potential candidate  must fill  to be a volunteer  labor                                                                   
     compliance  officer,  and  the  ability  to  permanently                                                                   
     revoke volunteer's badge in certain instances.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Section 2: Provides an immediate effective date.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:21:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX requested an explanation of the term "wage                                                                  
theft."                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. METCALF answered that this concerns workers being                                                                           
misclassified in order to manipulate wages.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX questioned which group of employers this                                                                    
would apply to, for example government contracts or employers                                                                   
with a collective bargaining unit.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR.  METCALF  responded that  it  would  apply to  worksites  with                                                              
government   contracts,  worksites   with  collective   bargaining                                                              
agreements,   and   worksites    without   collective   bargaining                                                              
agreements.   In response  to two  follow-up questions  concerning                                                              
how wage theft would  be determined and the scope  of the problem,                                                              
he  stated that  he would  follow  up with  these  answers to  the                                                              
committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:24:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced that HB 186 was held over.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
            HB 115-NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:25:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER  announced that the  next order of business  would be                                                              
HOUSE  BILL  NO.  115,  "An  Act   relating  to  the  practice  of                                                              
naturopathy;   establishing   the  Naturopathy   Advisory   Board;                                                              
relating   to   the  licensure   of   naturopaths;   relating   to                                                              
disciplinary   sanctions   for   naturopaths;  relating   to   the                                                              
Department of Commerce,  Community, and Economic  Development; and                                                              
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:25:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX, as  prime sponsor,  stated that the  purpose                                                              
of HB  115 is  to allow naturopaths  to practice  to the  scope of                                                              
their  training.  He  stated that  currently  they are trained  to                                                              
prescribe drugs  and do minor, in-office surgeries;  however, they                                                              
are not allowed  to do these things in Alaska.   He explained that                                                              
the discussion  to allow  naturopaths to practice  in this  way in                                                              
the state  has been ongoing  for ten years.   He pointed  out that                                                              
in other states  this is allowed, and evidence  suggests that this                                                              
practice is viable.  He deferred to the invited testimony.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:27:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
NATALIE WIGGINS,  ND, Alaska  Association of Naturopathic  Doctors                                                              
(AKAND), gave  invited testimony on HB  115.  She stated  that she                                                              
is representing  AKAND in support  of HB  115.  She  expressed the                                                              
opinion that  this is in the  best interest of  Alaskan residents,                                                              
as medical  costs are  rising, which is  directly affected  by the                                                              
accessibility  of  care and  the  shortage of  medical  providers.                                                              
She  said that  naturopaths are  ready to  address this  shortage;                                                              
however, their practice  is hindered by limitations  in the state.                                                              
She addressed the  concerns of their qualifications  by discussing                                                              
naturopaths'  educational  requirements.   She  stated that  after                                                              
completing a  bachelor's degree, a  naturopath in the  state would                                                              
then  complete an  accredited  four-year  doctoral  program.   She                                                              
stated that  the training includes  140 hours of  pharmacology and                                                              
1,120  hours of  clinical  training, which  includes  prescriptive                                                              
management  and minor  office procedures.   She  stated that  this                                                              
training  is commensurate  with  nurse practitioners,  who have  a                                                              
less restrictive  scope of practice in  the state, and  it is more                                                              
training  than physician  assistants  receive.    She pointed  out                                                              
that  both  nurse  practitioners  and  physician  assistants  have                                                              
prescriptive  authority.    She  argued  that  these  restrictions                                                              
prohibit naturopaths  from fully using their skills  in the state.                                                              
She pointed out  that HB 115 mirrors legislation  in other states,                                                              
adding that  she had practiced  for many  years in Arizona  in the                                                              
full scope of her  training.  She stated that in  Arizona she also                                                              
provided training  to medical students and nurses  and oversite to                                                              
physician assistants.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
DR.  WIGGINS stated  that  she returned  to  Alaska  to raise  her                                                              
family; however, this  meant that she had to give  up her practice                                                              
to the  extent of her  training.  She  argued that when  she moved                                                              
back  to Alaska,  her  certified  medical  experience  did not  go                                                              
away.  She stated  that in Alaska she is forced  to refer patients                                                              
when they need  medications.  Because of the  limited availability                                                              
of providers,  she  pointed out  the long wait  time for  patients                                                              
before  being seen,  and she argued  that this  is an  unnecessary                                                              
burden  to the  state's health  care infrastructure.   She  argued                                                              
that the patients  of naturopaths in the state  need their doctors                                                              
to have  the ability  to prescribe  medications and perform  minor                                                              
office   procedures;   otherwise,   these  patients   would   need                                                              
duplicative  office   appointments.    She  reiterated   that  the                                                              
proposed legislation  would help  cushion the overwhelming  health                                                              
care  burden.   In summary,  she stated  that there  are about  45                                                              
licensed naturopathic  doctors in the state who  are qualified and                                                              
trained for prescriptive needs and minor office procedures.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:35:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned who trains the naturopaths.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
DR. WIGGINS  explained that  clinical training  is led  by medical                                                              
doctors and naturopathic doctors.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:37:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   WRIGHT   questioned   whether  there   were   any                                                              
instances  during  her  work in  Arizona  which  required  another                                                              
doctor.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
DR.  WIGGINS stated  that in  Arizona  her prescriptive  authority                                                              
did  not  include  chemotherapy.    In  response  to  a  follow-up                                                              
question, she  stated that  in a primary  care setting,  there are                                                              
always  times  when   patients  need  to  be  referred   to  other                                                              
specialists.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:39:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CARRIE   BALDWIN-SAYRE,  ND,   Director   of  Advanced   Community                                                              
Engagement, National  University of Natural Medicine  (NUNM), gave                                                              
invited  testimony on  HB 115.   She addressed  the education  and                                                              
training  completed  by  naturopathic  physicians  at  NUNM.    To                                                              
become  a  licensed  naturopathic  physician,  she  said  that  an                                                              
individual must  attend an accredited naturopathic  medical school                                                              
overseen by the  US Department of Education.  She  added that NUNM                                                              
is  overseen  by  both programmatic  accreditors  and  a  regional                                                              
institutional   accreditor.    She   stated  that  this   regional                                                              
institutional  accreditor   sets  the  standards   for  curriculum                                                              
delivery,  performance   outcomes,  financial  stability   of  the                                                              
institution,  and  more.    She   added  that  this  is  the  same                                                              
accreditor which oversees the University of Alaska's program.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
DR.  BALDWIN-SAYRE stated  that the  naturopathic medical  program                                                              
at  NUNM  is  a  four-year  graduate   program,  and  it  includes                                                              
approximately 5,047  hours of education and 1,254  hours of direct                                                              
clinical exposure.   She said that  this program is  comparable to                                                              
the education requirements  for many other medical  providers, and                                                              
admissions    requirements   are    nearly   identical    to   the                                                              
prerequisites  for  any  other   medical  doctor  program  in  the                                                              
country.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
DR.  BALDWIN-SAYRE  described  the  first two  years  of  academic                                                              
education  at NUNM for  naturopaths, which  includes a  foundation                                                              
in human  sciences and extensive  study in diagnostic  methods and                                                              
procedures.  She   stated  that  students  are  measured   by  the                                                              
biomedical  science national  board  exam.   She  stated that  the                                                              
second   two   years   of  the   program   focuses   on   clinical                                                              
applications,  with courses providing  a framework for  developing                                                              
graduates  into  primary  care physicians.    Students  also  take                                                              
courses  on disease  management  and prevention  using  nutrition,                                                              
lifestyle   counseling,    botanical   medicine,    pharmaceutical                                                              
prescribing, and  minor surgery.   Students complete  nearly 1,300                                                              
hours of  direct clinical  training and  must pass three  hands-on                                                              
clinical examinations  to graduate, and this includes  a full year                                                              
with their  own patient load.   In addition to graduation  from an                                                              
accredited  institution,  to become  eligible  for licensure,  all                                                              
candidates must pass two national board examinations.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
DR.  BALDWIN-SAYRE,  in  summary,  highlighted  that  naturopathic                                                              
medical colleges  prepares  graduates to  be competent, safe,  and                                                              
effective  healthcare providers  who can  assess the primary  care                                                              
needs  of their  patients, particularly  in medically  underserved                                                              
states.     She  advised   that  allowing   naturopaths   to  have                                                              
prescriptive  authority and  the ability  to perform minor  office                                                              
procedures would be  a low risk in relation to  the existing scope                                                              
of their  practice, as this is  well within the confines  of their                                                              
training.   She  added  that this  would help  keep  the cost  for                                                              
patients down, as it avoids multiple office visits.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:45:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CLYDE  JENSEN, PhD,  MS,  Professor  of Pharmacology,  College  of                                                              
Osteopathic  Medicine, Rocky  Vista  University, provided  invited                                                              
testimony on  HB 115.  He  shared his credentials,  which includes                                                              
being  a professor  of  naturopathic  medicine.   He  said he  was                                                              
present  today  to  offer  his   expertise.    He  explained  that                                                              
pharmacology  is the  study  of  how drugs  work,  when the  drugs                                                              
should  be used,  and any side  effects  the drugs  may have.   He                                                              
stated   that   medical   professional   study   pharmacology   in                                                              
preparation  for  prescribing  drugs.     He  testified  that  the                                                              
pharmacology   taught  to   medical   doctors,  naturopaths,   and                                                              
osteopaths is  identical in quality,  hours, and intensity.   From                                                              
his experience,  he stated  that he  has an  overview of  not only                                                              
the instruction but how the instruction will be utilized.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:48:36 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SEAN  HIGGINS,  MD,  Emergency  Room  Physician,  Alaska  Regional                                                              
Hospital, provided  invited testimony on  HB 115.  He  shared that                                                              
before  his practice  in Alaska  he had worked  in Seattle,  where                                                              
naturopaths  are  permitted  to  work in  a  broader  scope  which                                                              
better  represents their  skill set  and training.   He  addressed                                                              
the shortage  in health providers  in Alaska, and he  advised that                                                              
this  results in  more trips  to the  emergency room.   He  stated                                                              
that about 30 percent  of cases seen in emergency  rooms should be                                                              
handled by a primary  care physician, and he listed  many of these                                                              
conditions.   He pointed  out that this  equates to  expensive and                                                              
unnecessary  bills for  patients and  a strain  on emergency  room                                                              
resources and  staff.   He argued that  this is forcing  emergency                                                              
room doctors to  practice primary care, which is  outside of their                                                              
scope  of practice.   He  continued that  allowing naturopaths  to                                                              
practice  to  the extent  of  their  training would  increase  the                                                              
number  of primary  care  givers  in Alaska.    He reiterated  the                                                              
qualifications  of naturopaths.   He noted  that he has  witnessed                                                              
naturopaths  prescribe medications  and  perform minor  procedures                                                              
safely  and effectively  in Washington,  and  he said  that he  is                                                              
"baffled" that they  cannot do this in Alaska.   He referenced the                                                              
preventative medicines that naturopaths provide.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:53:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROB  DOWNEY, MD,  Seaworthy Functional  Medicine, South  Peninsula                                                              
Hospital, provided  invited testimony on  HB 115.  He  shared that                                                              
he has  worked alongside  many naturopathic  doctors for  the past                                                              
17 years, and he  conveyed respect in speaking on  behalf of these                                                              
doctors.    He reiterated  naturopaths  are  properly  trained  to                                                              
administer prescription  drugs and  perform minor procedures.   He                                                              
recommended that  the proposed legislation  be passed.   He shared                                                              
that he has been  a medical doctor with 23 years  of experience in                                                              
family practice  and 17 years  of experience providing  functional                                                              
medicine,  which   is  like  naturopathic  medicine   for  medical                                                              
doctors.   He  added  that he  has also  been  a medical  facility                                                              
administrator.   He expressed respect  for his colleagues  who are                                                              
naturopaths in  Alaska.  He noted  the irony in  withholding these                                                              
privileges  from naturopaths,  as these  doctors tend  to be  more                                                              
careful in recommending the use of medication.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
DR.  DOWNEY estimated  that only  35 percent  of existing  medical                                                              
care needs  are being met in  Alaska.  Referencing the  65 percent                                                              
of  medical  needs  in communities  not  being  met,  he  provided                                                              
examples   of  how   naturopaths   could  help.     He   expressed                                                              
understanding  why members of  the conventional medical  community                                                              
could  be alarmed  by the  proposed legislation,  as this  medical                                                              
community culture  is philosophically  conservative and  "feel the                                                              
safest protecting  the status  quo."   However, he continued  that                                                              
this attitude is  leaving needs unmet, failing  to match available                                                              
resources  with qualified  providers.   He  expressed the  opinion                                                              
that the medical  community would be "relieved"  once this service                                                              
is  witnessed.    He  argued that  it  is  time  for  naturopathic                                                              
doctors  to be  able to  prescribe medicine  and to  do the  minor                                                              
procedures that they are trained for.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:59:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT  LUPER,  ND, Alaska  Association  of  Naturopathic  Doctors,                                                              
provided  invited testimony  on HB  115.   He stated  that he  has                                                              
been  practicing for  35  years in  the state.    In reference  to                                                              
students  studying  naturopathic  medicine,  he  said  that  these                                                              
students are  required to be  supervised by licensed  naturopathic                                                              
doctors and  medical doctors.   He argued  that the passage  of HB
115 would  bring the  practice of naturopaths  in line  with their                                                              
training  and education,  which is  in primary  care, and  this is                                                              
important because of  the need of primary care  doctors in Alaska.                                                              
He expressed  the opinion  that the  competency of naturopaths  is                                                              
reflected  in the low  rate of  complaints across  the nation  and                                                              
the low  cost of  malpractice insurance  in licensed  states.   He                                                              
said that  the opposition to  the proposed legislation  comes from                                                              
the Alaska State  Medical Association.  He pointed  out that other                                                              
medical  providers, such  as nurse  practitioners and  osteopaths,                                                              
have  all  stood  in  this  same   position  against  the  medical                                                              
association in the state.  He urged the passage of HB 115.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:03:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX thanked  the  committee.   He  said work  was                                                              
done  to provide  documentation  around  the legislation,  and  he                                                              
encouraged members to review these materials.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:04:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced that HB 115 was held over.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:04:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 3:04 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
            HB 100-PAID FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE PLAN                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:05:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced  that the final order of  business would be                                                              
HOUSE  BILL  NO. 100,  "An  Act  relating  to teacher  and  public                                                              
employee leave."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:06:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  JENNIE  ARMSTRONG,  Alaska State  Legislature,  as                                                              
prime sponsor,  presented HB 100.   She began by stating  that the                                                              
proposed  bill  would  establish  a  paid  family  leave  plan  in                                                              
Alaska.   She  stated this  would  address many  issues the  state                                                              
faces  regarding the  economy and  workforce.   She expressed  the                                                              
opinion that Alaska  is already a cost-prohibitive  state to raise                                                              
a family, and this  is because of the lack of child  care and paid                                                              
family  leave.   She  added that  Alaska also  has  a high  infant                                                              
mortality rate.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    ARMSTRONG    returned    to    the    PowerPoint                                                              
presentation,  which   she  had  begun  during  the   meeting  [on                                                              
5/1/23],  titled "HB  100, Paid  Family and  Medical Leave"  [hard                                                              
copy included  in the committee packet].   She began on  slide 19,                                                              
which  recapped  the information  on  the  previous slides.    She                                                              
stated  that  the  upcoming  slides would  be  introducing  a  new                                                              
version  of   HB  100,   [labeled  33-LS0480\B,  Klein,   11/8/23,                                                              
("Version B"), which  the committee adopted during  the meeting on                                                              
1/17/24].                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ARMSTRONG  stated that  an  economic trend  report                                                              
from  December  2023 by  the  Department  of Labor  and  Workforce                                                              
Development  shows that  in  2022 Alaska  had  its tenth  straight                                                              
year of net out  migration.  She suggested that  the out migration                                                              
is specifically  young professionals,  and this is  the population                                                              
who  would  be  starting  new families.    It  was  reported  that                                                              
employers in  the state  are spending 21  percent of  a position's                                                              
salary recruiting  new candidates.  The report  also conveyed that                                                              
there are  two jobs for  every available  worker.  She  urged that                                                              
the state  must address  the question of  how to empower  families                                                              
and the workforce in the future.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ARMSTRONG reviewed the  background of  paid family                                                              
leave on  slide 19.   She said that  before 1993 and  the American                                                              
Family Leave  Act (FMLA), there  was no federal  policy addressing                                                              
this.   She pointed out  that currently  the state has  the Alaska                                                              
Family Leave  Act (AFLA), and  this protects jobs  during extended                                                              
absences.   She argued that  establishing paid family  leave would                                                              
help  families remain  in  the state,  as  children would  receive                                                              
better  medical  care  and  mothers  would be  able  to  join  the                                                              
workforce at a faster  rate.  Moving to slide 20,  she stated that                                                              
every state in the  country has, or is in the  process of passing,                                                              
similar legislation.   Except  for the  proposed legislation,  she                                                              
said Alaska  would have  been the  only state  in the country  not                                                              
taking  action.   She  reiterated  that the  proposed  legislation                                                              
would help with  the out migration and also help  recruit families                                                              
to the state.   She stated  that this is important  because Alaska                                                              
has an aging population.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:11:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ARMSTRONG stated  that  HB 100,  Version B,  would                                                              
provide  a  "lighter  footprint   and  expanded  coverage."    She                                                              
explained that  this would  be done  by implementing an  insurance                                                              
policy  for employers  to  purchase for  employees.   She  further                                                              
explained the  details of  the policy  as seen on  slide 21.   She                                                              
stated that the  goal with the legislation is to  move the current                                                              
AFLA to a paid  family leave program.  She continued  that Version                                                              
B adds  that this would  be carried into  the private market.   On                                                              
slide 22,  she listed  the proposed  plan's coverage,  as follows:                                                              
18  paid  leave   weeks  for  state  employees;   6-18  weeks  for                                                              
employees  of  political  subdivisions; 6-12  weeks  for  enrolled                                                              
employees of  a participating  private employer;  and 6  weeks for                                                              
an  employee  enrolled  through  the purchasing  pool,  which  she                                                              
noted would  allow every  employee in  the state  to opt  into the                                                              
plan.   She  added  that all  paid  leave would  be  equal to  100                                                              
percent of an  employee's average weekly wage, but  this could not                                                              
exceed $3,000 per week.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:14:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ARMSTRONG moved  to slide  23 and discussed  other                                                              
states  in the  country  that  are offering  similar  legislation.                                                              
She  suggested that  this version  would give  the opportunity  to                                                              
have wide  spread public  investment in  an individual  household.                                                              
Referencing  models  in other  states,  she reiterated  that  this                                                              
model has  a small footprint  and a wide  reach.  She  pointed out                                                              
that the  initial version of the  bill had required a  large state                                                              
investment but  would only cover  state employees.  She  said that                                                              
Version  B would  expand  coverage  to the  private  sector.   She                                                              
moved  to slide  24 to  discuss cost/benefit  paid family  medical                                                              
leave.    She   stated  that  because  the   proposed  legislation                                                              
establishes  a state  policy through  an  insurance provider,  the                                                              
insurance provider  would be allowed to extend the  insurance to a                                                              
wider range of Alaskans on an optional basis.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:16:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TRISTAN  WALSH,  Staff, Representative  Jennie  Armstrong,  Alaska                                                              
State  Legislature,   on  behalf   of  Representative   Armstrong,                                                              
paraphrased  the sectional analysis  of HB  100, Version  B, [copy                                                              
included in the committee packet], which read as follows:                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Section 1:                                                                                                                 
       This section amends AS 23.10 to add Article 9, the                                                                       
     Alaska Paid Family Leave Plan to the statues regarding                                                                     
     State Employment Practices and Working Conditions.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.700 (a) instructs the commissioner of labor &                                                                     
    workforce   development   and    the   commissioner   of                                                                    
     administration  to jointly procure  a paid family  leave                                                                   
     insurance   plan,  defines   which   employees  may   be                                                                   
     eligible  to  use  it,  and how  they  are  entitled  to                                                                   
     participate.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.700  (b) mandates that the procurement  process                                                                   
     will  be governed  by the  State  of Alaska  Procurement                                                                   
     Code.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     AS  23.10.700   (c)  provides  for  evaluation   of  the                                                                   
     responses  for that  procurement, and  requires they  be                                                                   
     filed with the director of insurance for approval.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.700  (d) specifies  that the parameters  of the                                                                   
     plan adopted  by both  departments must include:  length                                                                   
     and time  of open enrollment,  enrollment processes  for                                                                   
     various eligible  employees; and  how premiums  would be                                                                   
     paid or deducted.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     AS   23.10.700(e)    directs   the   commissioners    of                                                                   
     administration  and  labor  & workforce  development  to                                                                   
     adopt  procedures  for  collection  of  information  and                                                                   
     premiums  from  covered employees  and  transmission  of                                                                   
     such  to the insurer,  and penalties  for late  payments                                                                   
     will be calculated.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     AS   23.10.710(a)   specifies   wage   replacement   for                                                                   
     eligible  employees, and  how to  calculate the  average                                                                   
     weekly wage for eligible employees.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.710(b)  specifies the maximum  allowable family                                                                   
     leave eligible  employees may  take. It states  the plan                                                                   
     may not impose a minimum duration.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     AS   23.10.710(c)   sets  the   employment   eligibility                                                                   
     requirements for covered employees.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.720(a)  states that a political  subdivision of                                                                   
     the state  or a private employer  may opt into  the paid                                                                   
     family  leave  plan  established  in  AS  23.10.700.  It                                                                   
     states  that  these  entities  shall  contract  directly                                                                   
     with the insurer,  and provides for parameters  on their                                                                   
     participation in the paid family leave plan.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     AS  23.10.720(b) requires  that any  premium charged  by                                                                   
     the  insurer to  the  political subdivision  or  private                                                                   
     employer  must  be  actuarially  justified  and  derived                                                                   
     from the state employee premium.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     AS   23.10.720(c)   states  that   an   employee  of   a                                                                   
     participating  employer  or  political  subdivision  may                                                                   
     choose to enroll in the plan.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     As 23.10.720(d)  states that  a participating  political                                                                   
     subdivision  or private employer  pay premiums  directly                                                                   
     to the insurer; they may do so via payroll deductions.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     AS  23.10.720(e) states  that  a participating  employer                                                                   
     with  50 or  more  employees  maintain coverage  in  any                                                                   
     group  health plan at  the level  and conditions  if the                                                                   
     employee  had  stayed  at  work;  it  requires  them  to                                                                   
     restore  the employee  to the  same  or reasonably  same                                                                   
     role  after returning  to work; declares  that they  may                                                                   
     not retaliate  or discriminate  against the employee  if                                                                   
     they  take  family  leave.  This  section  reflects  the                                                                   
     requirements of the national Family Medical Leave Act.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     AS  23.10.720(f) states  that  a participating  employer                                                                   
     with fewer  than 50 employees  may collect and  transmit                                                                   
     the  premiums   directly  to  the  insurer  or   to  the                                                                   
     purchasing  pool premium  account; it  states that  they                                                                   
     may deduct the premiums via payroll deductions.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     AS  23.10.730   (a)  establishes  the   purchasing  pool                                                                   
     premium   account,   and   requires   the   insurer   to                                                                   
     participate in it.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     As  23.10.730  (b) allows  an  employee of  a  political                                                                   
     subdivision   or   private   employer  that   does   not                                                                   
     participate  in  the  family   leave  plan  or  offer  a                                                                   
     substantially similar  family leave benefit  to contract                                                                   
     indirectly with an insurer via the purchasing pool.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     AS   23.10.730  (c)   allows  that   the  pool  may   be                                                                   
     experience  rated. This  section  establishes a  waiting                                                                   
     period  and   elimination  period,   as  well   as  open                                                                   
     enrollment processes.  It caps the coverage  premiums at                                                                   
     $5 a week.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.730  (d) states  that the  private employer  or                                                                   
     political  subdivision   of  the  state  with   50  more                                                                   
     employees   whose    employee   participates    in   the                                                                   
     purchasing  pool   transfer  that  employees'   premiums                                                                   
     directly  to  the  insurer  via  payroll  deduction.  An                                                                   
     employer  with  less than  50  employees may  pay  those                                                                   
     premiums directly to the purchasing pool.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     AS   23.10.730(e)    requires   the   commissioner    of                                                                   
     administration  to  separately  account  for  purchasing                                                                   
     pool premium  payments received  by the department;  and                                                                   
     for payment  of premiums to an insurer  participating in                                                                   
     a family  leave insurance  plan purchasing pool  premium                                                                   
     account.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     AS   23.10.740(a)   establishes  the   purchasing   pool                                                                   
     premium   stabilization   account.   It   requires   the                                                                   
     commissioner  of  administration to  account  separately                                                                   
     for  premium  taxes  on family  leave  insurance  plans,                                                                   
     appropriations    made   for    the   purchasing    pool                                                                   
     stabilization,  and  gifts,  grants and  donations  made                                                                   
     for the purpose of stabilizing the purchasing pool.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.740(b)  allows the  legislature to  appropriate                                                                   
     funds  to the purchasing  pool so  that premiums  do not                                                                   
     exceed $5 per week.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     AS   23.10.750   (a)  establishes   the   family   leave                                                                   
     insurance  advisory board,  to support the  Commissioner                                                                   
     of  Administration  in  implementing  and  administering                                                                   
     the family leave insurance plans.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.750(b)  directs the  composition of the  family                                                                   
     leave insurance advisory board.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.750(c)  requires the advisory board  to meet at                                                                   
     least quarterly.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     AS  23.10.760   declares  that  the  provisions   of  AS                                                                   
     23.10.700-23.10.790 are not subject to                                                                                     
     collective bargaining.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.770  (a) requires  the Department of  Labor and                                                                   
     Workforce   Development,   in   conjunction   with   the                                                                   
     Department  of Administration, to  prepare and  submit a                                                                   
     report  to  the  Legislature  by January  15th  of  each                                                                   
     year.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     AS 23.10.770  (b) directs  the Department  of Labor  and                                                                   
     Workforce Development to work in                                                                                           
     conjunction  with   the  Department  of   Administration                                                                   
     develop   an  outreach  program   to  educate   workers,                                                                   
     families,   and    employers   on   the    benefits   of                                                                   
     participation in the paid family leave program.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     AS  23.10.780  directs  that the  Commissioners  of  the                                                                   
     Departments  of  Labor and  Workforce  Development,  and                                                                   
     Commissioner  of Administration,  may issue  regulations                                                                   
     to implement AS 23.10.700-23.10.790.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     AS  23.10.790 is  the definitions  section for  specific                                                                   
     terms in AS 23.10.700-23.10.790.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Section 2:                                                                                                                 
     This  section  amends  Chapter 39  Public  Officers  and                                                                   
     Employees pay  and compensation, for conforming  changes                                                                   
     under Section 1.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     AS 39.20.305(a)  is amended to allow an employee  of the                                                                   
     state to  take paid family  leave. This is  a conforming                                                                   
     change.  The  state  may not  require  the  employee  to                                                                   
     substitute accrued  paid leave to which the  employee is                                                                   
     entitled.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Section 3:                                                                                                                 
     This  section  establishes  parameters  for  the  Alaska                                                                   
     Paid Family Leave Plan for state employees.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     AS  39.20.500(b)  is  amended   to  reflect  that  state                                                                   
     employees are  entitled to paid family leave;  because a                                                                   
     political subdivision  may choose  to opt in or  not, an                                                                   
     employee of  a political subdivision  may opt  into such                                                                   
     a program  through AS  23.10.700-23.10.790, and  such an                                                                   
     employer  is  not allowed  to  require the  employee  to                                                                   
     substitute  accrued  paid  leave.  It  also  establishes                                                                   
     that  eligible   reasons  to  take  paid   family  leave                                                                   
     include pregnancy  and birth of a child,  placement of a                                                                   
     child, caring  for a child,  spouse or parent who  has a                                                                   
     serious  health   condition,  and  the   employee's  own                                                                   
     serious health condition.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Section 4:                                                                                                                 
     This  section  makes  conforming changes  to  Title  39,                                                                   
     Chapter  20 to  reflect the  ongoing  employment of  the                                                                   
     employee.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     AS 39.20.500(d)  is amended  to delete the reference  to                                                                   
     unpaid leave.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Section 5:                                                                                                                 
     This  section  is  a  conforming   change.  Because  the                                                                   
     policy is offered  outright to all state  employees, the                                                                   
     language is a conforming change.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     AS  39.20.500(f)   is  amended   to  include   political                                                                   
     subdivisions  of   the  state.  This  is   a  conforming                                                                   
     change.  If  a  political   subdivision  did  decide  to                                                                   
     provide the benefit, their staff would be covered.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Section 6:                                                                                                                 
     These are conforming changes.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     AS 39.20.550(2)  is amended  to make conforming  changes                                                                   
     to the definition of "employer".                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Section 7:                                                                                                                 
     This  section  establishes   a  paid  family  leave  tax                                                                   
     credit   for  eligible  taxpayers   that  provide   this                                                                   
     benefit.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     AS 43.20  is amended to  include AS 43.20.075,  a family                                                                   
     leave insurance  tax credit: taxpayers  providing family                                                                   
     leave insurance  plans are allowed a credit  equal to 50                                                                   
     percent  of the  premium paid  by the  taxpayer for  the                                                                   
     year in which the premium is paid.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Section  8:   This  section  provides for  a  transition                                                                   
     date and implementation of  the paid family leave plan.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:24:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX  offered  his understanding  that  the  state                                                              
would  be required  to  provide coverage,  political  subdivisions                                                              
would be  able to  choose whether  to opt  in, and companies  with                                                              
more than 50 employees would be required to participate.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. WALSH responded  that it is optional for all  employers in the                                                              
state, other than  the state itself.  He explained  that employers                                                              
with more than 50  employees would still have to  follow FMLA.  In                                                              
response  to a  follow-up  question,  he stated  that  there is  a                                                              
discussion  concerning a  cost/benefit  analysis.   He added  that                                                              
the  proposed legislation  would  require  an actuarial  analysis.                                                              
This  would  look  at  the  state pool  and  the  rate  a  private                                                              
employer would pay.   He added that the plan  would be actuarially                                                              
based, with  modifications  for private employers  that decide  to                                                              
offer the  benefit.   These modifications would  be made  with the                                                              
state's insurance provider.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX  expressed the understanding that  the benefit                                                              
would be  based on  the number  of people  employed in  a company.                                                              
He questioned whether  private employers with a  smaller number of                                                              
employees would be penalized for having fewer employees.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. WALSH  responded that these  employees would just  become part                                                              
of the state's pool.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX,  in  regard   to  an  employer  opting  out,                                                              
questioned  whether an individual  employee  could become  part of                                                              
the program.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   ARMSTRONG  responded  that   there  will   be  an                                                              
individual purchasing pool available  to any worker in the state.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:28:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  WRIGHT questioned  what the cost  would be  to buy                                                              
into the insurance plan.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WALSH  pointed to  [slide  20]  and  explained the  costs  in                                                              
similar plans in  other states.  He stated that  Washinton State's                                                              
plan is $2  a week, while New Hampshire's  plan is $5 a  week.  He                                                              
added  that  the  contract  with   the  insurance  provider  would                                                              
determine the cost.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:30:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
[HB 100 was held over.]                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:30:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being  no further business  before the committee,  the House                                                              
Labor and  Commerce Standing  Committee meeting  was adjourned  at                                                              
3:30 p.m.                                                                                                                       

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB186 Sponsor Statement.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 186
HB186 Wage Theft Data.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 186
HB 115 AK Legislative History.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Education and Scope Comparison 2018.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Additional Authority and Responsibilities (002).pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Naturopathic Medicine Presentation v.2 HHSS.3.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Why NDs Deserve Broad Prescriptive Authority (3).pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
House Bill 115 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 AANMC ND, MD-DO, NP What's the Difference.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Fiscal Note DCCED.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Fiscal Note DPS-SWS.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 How does naturopathic medicine lower health care costs.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Naturopathic Medicine Presentation v.2 HHSS.3.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Support Omnibus.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 115
DOLWD Letter to House Labor and Commerce 11.2023.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 186
HB186 Sectional Analysis VersionA.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 186
B.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 100
HB 100 Ver B 12.4.2023 PPT.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 100
HB 100 Ver B Key Highlights, Summary of Changes 12.4.2023.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 100
HB100 Ver B Sectional Analysis 12.1.2023.pdf HL&C 12/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
HB 100