03/07/2018 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB309 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 326 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 309 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 7, 2018
3:20 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sam Kito, Chair
Representative Adam Wool, Vice Chair
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Chris Birch
Representative Gary Knopp
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mike Chenault (alternate)
Representative Bryce Edgmon (alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 309
"An Act disapproving all recommendations of the State Officers
Compensation Commission relating to the compensation, benefits,
and allowances of state officers; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development (DCCED)
Mike Navarre - Kenai
Board of Massage Therapists
David Edwards-Smith - Soldotna
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Vershawn Idom - Anchorage
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Lon Needles - Valdez
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board ("ABC Board")
Sara Erickson - Soldotna
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Eric Lingle
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Kenni Linden - Palmer
- HEARD
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy
State Board of Registration for Architects
Engineers and Land Surveyors
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Board of Dental Examiners
Marijuana Control Board
Board of Marine Pilots
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
Board of Nursing
Board of Pharmacy
State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
Board of Professional Counselors
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Veterinary Examiners
Workers Compensation Appeals Commission
Alaska Workers Compensation Board
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 326
"An Act relating to the practice of naturopathy; relating to the
licensure of naturopaths; relating to the Department of
Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and providing for
an effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 89
"An Act requiring licensure of occupations relating to
radiologic technology, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine
technology; and providing for an effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 309
SHORT TITLE: REJECT OFFICERS COMP. COMMISSION REPORT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GUTTENBERG
01/26/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/26/18 (H) L&C, FIN
03/05/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/05/18 (H) Heard & Held
03/05/18 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/07/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
CHAIR SAM KITO
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in the hearing on HB 309.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as prime sponsor of HB 309.
MIKE NAVARRE
Commissioner Designee
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
(DCCED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in the confirmation hearing.
DAVID EDWARDS-SMITH, Chair
Board of Massage Therapists
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Massage Therapists.
VERSHAWN IDOM, Appointee
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Office of the Governor
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Barbers and Hairdressers.
LON NEEDLES, Board Member
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Labor Relations Agency.
SARA ERICKSON
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board)
Office of the Governor
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board (ABC Board).
ERIC LINGLE, Public member
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Office of the Governor
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Examiners in Optometry.
KENNI LINDEN, Public Member
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Office of the Governor
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Certified Direct-Entry Midwives.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:20:20 PM
CHAIR SAM KITO called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:20 p.m. Representatives
Sullivan-Leonard, Knopp, Birch, Josephson, Wool, and Kito were
present at the call to order. Representatives Stutes arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
3:22:04 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:22 p.m. to 3:22 p.m.
3:22:26 PM
CHAIR KITO passed the gavel to Vice-Chair Wool.
HB 309-REJECT OFFICERS COMP. COMMISSION REPORT
3:22:52 PM
VICE CHAIR WOOL announced that the first order of business would
be HB 309, "An Act disapproving all recommendations of the State
Officers Compensation Commission relating to the compensation,
benefits, and allowances of state officers; and providing for an
effective date."
3:23:04 PM
CHAIR SAM KITO, Alaska State Legislature, testified in the
hearing on HB 309 by continuing his presentation where he left
off in the previous hearing.
CHAIR KITO reviewed slide 8, "Current Compensation":
Base Salary $50,400
Per diem based on federal short-term rate
Relocation expenses provided
Travel per diem provided
Non-Juneau Base = $75,150
Juneau Base = $68,692.5
Total All Legislators Base = $4.49 Million
3:23:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO moved on to slide 9, "Option A":
Base Salary $42,000
Per day stipend
$180 for Regular session
$150 for extended session
$50 for first special session
$30 for second special session
$10 for third special session
$0 for an additional special sessions
Per diem based on federal per diem
Non-Juneau Base = $73,635
Juneau Base = $58,200
Total All Legislators Base = $4.37 Million
3:26:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked whether there is any
consideration given to special meetings such as subcommittees.
CHAIR KITO answered there is not. He explained it would work
the way it does now with travel per diem and expenses.
3:28:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH said that 57 of the 60 legislators have to
travel away from home. He shared his understanding that the aim
of the proposed bill is to restore per diem to Juneau
legislators. He asked what else was at the core of the
question.
CHAIR KITO said that in his analysis, he was attempting to
identify how to equitably compensate legislators across the
board. He said that in the original report in 2009-2010 it was
acknowledged that 100 percent of the short term per diem rate
was not required to live in Juneau, Alaska. He added there is no
public record or written record but there is action that shows
Juneau legislators would receive 75 percent of the rate. He
said that as a long term per diem rate, there was a $7,000 to
$7,500 difference for Juneau, Alaska, legislators as a base. He
added 100 percent of the per diem rate now for non-Juneau
legislators is around $24,000 and he said he thinks it is not
reasonable to assume that $24,000 is what it costs for non-
Juneau legislators to live in Juneau, Alaska.
3:31:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP spoke to slide 12, "Option B". He noted
that in two years there have been eight special sessions. He
added that costs go up for housing during the summer months. He
suggested the salary compensation committee should examine the
issue.
CHAIR KITO answered that it was true that legislators do not
have control over the call to special sessions. He acknowledged
that legislators residing outside the 50-mile limit would still
be eligible to receive per diem, they just would not get the
meeting stipend. He said it doesn't decrease pay effectively.
He shared his concern that the more special sessions there are,
the more revenue legislators receive. He said the potential
with Option B was to decrease the cost of session by over $1
million.
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP spoke to a Department of Defense (DoD)
chart for per diem rates. He said he put forward a resolution in
the previous year to follow the guidelines. He added it didn't
gain traction or move forward. He asked Chair Kito whether he
had examined the federal rate.
CHAIR KITO said he thinks if the federal per diem rate is
avoided, it is more reasonable to focus on per diem as costs for
being in a location that is not the primary residence. He said
he did review the federal per diem rates and attempted to
acknowledge the cost to relocate but also address the
disproportionate compensation that in this case Juneau
legislators receive.
3:37:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said he wonders what the public would
think of the word "stipend."
CHAIR KITO answered that he was trying to identify what the
issues were. He said he thinks the salary commission has failed
to address legislative compensation at all. He said it is clear
to him that there are two forms of compensation: the base salary
and per diem. He suggested the per diem is a combination of
compensation and the acknowledgement of living expenses. He said
he was trying to push the attention to session for the first 90
days and not have as many extended sessions as legislators would
not get compensated at the same level.
CHAIR KITO stated there aren't any minutes from the commission
meetings. He said he didn't know who was speaking and towards
the end of the second meeting he started recognizing their
voices. He said he believes the commission was operating outside
of the law in reducing Juneau legislator pay by $18,000. He said
that to believe that amount is strictly provided to him or to
other legislators for relocation does not make sense. He said
that lead him to the conclusion that per diem is a combination
of compensation and living expenses. He underlined that
relocation costs are designated separately
3:43:35 PM
VICE-CHAIR WOOL shared his understanding that the total package
is per diem and salary, and part of that per diem is considered
compensation and not considered compensation for room and board.
He said he also thinks lowering the per diem is lowering some of
the actual salary. He added cutting per diem entirely for
Juneau legislators is cutting their salary.
CHAIR KITO said under Option D, the amount of budgeting is the
same. He said all of the options he looked at would decrease the
amount of money spent on legislative compensation.
VICE-CHAIR WOOL said constituents ask, "Why do you guys need
$300 a day to live in Juneau, Alaska?"
3:46:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH said, "This applies equitably to
everybody." He added that more than half of legislators are
from Anchorage, Alaska, and would receive no per diem if there
were special sessions in that city. He said he think the idea
that [per diem] is compensation is really a misnomer. He added
he thinks the idea of throwing out the recommendation from the
commission is "a step too far."
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD commended Representative Kito
for bringing the discussion forward. She indicated she had
looked at the federal side and at other states on the per diem
issue. She added she was not pleased with the compensation
committee and she thinks it didn't come across as an unbiased
committee.
3:49:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES noted that on slide 14, "Option D", the
base salary numbers are backwards: Non-Juneau Base = $70,000 and
Juneau Base = $77,020.
CHAIR KITO answered that was correct.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES stated she agrees with Representative
Sullivan-Leonard that the salary commission was "off-kilter"
with their assessment. She questioned the difference in
compensation for living expenses if one legislator has a 3-
bedroom apartment during session and another rents a room.
CHAIR KITO stated the committee, with respect to the proposed
bill, had three options: to move nothing forward, to reject the
recommendation of the commission, or consider something
different.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said, "I'm not comfortable with this
discussion." He said he agrees about the commission's work, but
that he is not comfortable setting his own salary.
3:53:49 PM
CHAIR KITO addressed slide 13, "Option C":
Base Salary $30,000
Per day stipend
$300 for Regular session
$150 for extended session
$50 for first special session
$30 for second special session
$10 for third special session
$0 for an additional special sessions
Per diem based on state long-term rate of $78 per
day
Non-Juneau Base = $64,020
Juneau Base = $57,000
Total All Legislators Base = $3.82 Million
CHAIR KITO identified that the base salary can be adjusted and
can apply equitably to every legislator.
CHAIR KITO moved to slide 14, "Option D":
Base Salary $70,000
No meeting stipend
Per diem based on state long-term rate of $78 per
day
Non-Juneau Base = $70,000
Juneau Base = $77,020
Total All Legislators Base = $4.60 Million
CHAIR KITO spoke to "Cost Comparison" in slides 15-21,
starting on slide 16:
ASOCC Overall difference from current
90-day: ($55,687.50)
120-day: ($74,925.00)
Three special sessions in first year:
($134,662.50)
CHAIR KITO moved through the Cost Compensation slides:
Option A Overall Difference from current
90-day: ($118,642.50)
120-day: ($52,560.00)
Three special sessions in first year: $47,295.00
Option B Overall Difference from current
90-day: ($58,297.50)
120-day: ($161,505.00)
Three special sessions in first year:
($1,172,452.50)
Option C Overall Difference from Current
90-day: ($670,297.50)
120-day: ($773,505.00)
Three special sessions in first year: ($1,784,
452.50)
Option D Overall Difference from Current
90-day: $109,702.50
120-day: ($263,505.00)
Three special sessions in first year:
($1,436,452.50)
4:00:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES requested Chair Kito review slide 17 with
the graph.
CHAIR KITO explained the blue line on the left is the base
compensation. He pointed to lines showing current compensation
between non-Juneau and Juneau, Alaska, legislators. He pointed
out that overall compensation, including per diem, for a non-
Juneau legislator could be as much as $110,000, while Juneau,
Alaska, legislators would still receive $50,400, for a
difference of $60,000 in a single year with 3 special sessions.
4:02:58 PM
VICE-CHAIR WOOL remarked that the commission had said they
"didn't want people coming to this job for the money." He said
he thought it was not reasonable to think anyone does the job
for the money. He observed there are savings in all of Chair
Kito's options and he said if he were a Juneau legislator it
would affect his ability to run for office.
CHAIR KITO shared his personal decisions based on the current
situation. He remarked that the legislature was becoming a
full-time job that precludes working elsewhere.
4:08:15 PM
VICE-CHAIR WOOL removed his objection.
4:08:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP stated he knows there is an impact, so he
is open to the discussion. He added he was not so sure that he
is ready to adopt a committee substitute.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked Chair Kito for confirmation that
the proposed bill contains Option B.
CHAIR KITO answered the committee substitute contains Option B,
which establishes a salary of $3,315 with the additional
compensation for the speaker of the house and the president of
the senate. He spoke to the stipend language. He said in
subsection C there is a proposal for those legislators not in
Juneau not to receive a meeting stipend but to receive lodging
per diem. He added that each member would be entitled to an
annual allowance for office expenses.
VICE-CHAIR WOOL asked for clarification that Juneau and non-
Juneau legislators would receive the same per diem.
CHAIR KITO answered Juneau legislators would not receive per
diem.
4:12:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP said he would not support adoption of the
CS and prefers to address the original bill.
VICE-CHAIR WOOL confirmed if the committee rejects the CS as a
working document, the original bill is still before the
committee.
4:14:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH stated he was opposed to the substitute and
to the original bill proposal. He said he doesn't think it's
the legislators' option to reject the commission's findings. He
said he would return to the salary commission and ask them to
review the decision.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether the CS was also from
Representative Guttenberg.
CHAIR KITO clarified he had not worked in collaboration with
Representative Guttenberg on HB 309. He asked to be recused
from voting as the result impacts him directly.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether Representative Guttenberg
supports the CS.
CHAIR KITO answered that he had discussed expanding the scope of
the proposed bill with Representative Guttenberg, but he did not
know whether Representative Guttenberg agreed with specific
components of the CS.
4:17:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON offered his belief that there is cause
to delay the decision due to the need for a legal opinion as to
whether Chair Kito can recuse himself.
4:20:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP said he thinks the CS should be held and no
action should be taken at this time. He said the committee has
90 days to reject or adopt the compensation committee's
recommendation.
VICE-CHAIR WOOL said the commission decision affects three
legislators. He said he thinks it's not that simple and there
is a compensation component.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said she agrees with holding the CS over.
CHAIR KITO explained the commission's recommendation would go
into effect if no action is taken by the following Wednesday and
the window for action was the first 60 of legislative session.
4:23:20 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:23 p.m. to 4:24 p.m.
4:24:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG, Alaska State Legislature,
testified as prime sponsor of HB 309. He said the commission had
been established to depoliticize legislative salaries and he
said he felt the commission had attempted to create public
policies through the salary discussion. He said there were a
lot of questions that went unanswered. He added that when
listening to the second meeting, he had the clear impression
that a lot of decisions were taken off the record. He indicated
at the second meeting the commission approved the minutes, but
the minutes were still not on public record. He stated he feels
there needs to be a hands-off process to depoliticize legislator
salaries.
4:27:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH shared his understanding that the
commission recommendation was to eliminate per diem for
legislators who reside within 50 miles of the site of
legislative session. He asked for confirmation that the
proposed bill would reject the recommendation.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG answered the bill would reject the
commission's recommendation but that he was not asking the
committee to pass it out of committee. He added that rejecting
the commission's recommendations was the only course of action
available. He underlined that the most important part is to
have the dialogue. He said he was "not going to push it to the
floor" but that he thought a discussion was needed to examine
the commission's findings.
4:29:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON moved to table HB 309.
4:30:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP objected. The CS for the bill had not been
adopted. He pointed out the need to take action by Wednesday.
He stated if the committee adopts a committee substitute (CS),
"we are killing it." He said the bill could go through to the
House Finance Committee and onto the House Floor by Wednesday
unless the committee adopts a CS.
4:31:37 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:31 p.m. to 4:32 p.m.
4:32:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON made a motion to table the CS to HB
309. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
4:32:25 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
4:32:29 PM
[VICE CHAIR WOOL passed the gavel back to Chair Kito.]
^Confirmation Hearing(s)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
Board of Massage Therapists
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Alaska Labor Relations Agency
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board ("ABC Board")
Board of Examiners in Optometry
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
4:33:24 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the next order of business would be
confirmation hearing(s).
4:34:02 PM
MIKE NAVARRE, Commissioner Designee, Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), testified in the
confirmation hearing.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said he thinks the commissioner should
be amongst the most confirmable people to ever come before a
joint hearing.
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked Commissioner Designee
Navarre to relay his directive for the department.
MR. NAVARRE stated he took the job because he was frustrated
with the messaging about the state's economic and fiscal policy.
He stated he would broaden the debate about why it's important
for Alaska's economy to have a broader foundation for revenue.
He remarked that the state is bountiful, but the economic
foundation is flawed. He said he thinks there is a lack of
revenue diversification. He mentioned competition in oil and
gas from the Lower 48 and from other countries. He said he
thinks there is a need for a broad-based tax.
4:38:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked Mr. Navarre to give a brief history
of his qualifications for the position of commissioner.
MR. NAVARRE answered that he has a bachelor's degree in
Government with a minor in Economics. He added that he also
spent 12 years in the Alaska Legislature House of
Representatives; served 3 terms as mayor in the Kenai Borough;
is the president a family company which includes the Arby's
restaurants in Alaska.
CHAIR KITO stated he appreciates Mr. Navarre's lifetime service
as well as the wisdom and experience that Mr. Navarre brings to
the department.
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP commented that he has served under Mr.
Navarre and that "he is a transparent as you could possibly
get."
4:40:58 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the next order of business would be
the confirmation hearings of the governor's appointments to
various state boards and commissions.
4:41:06 PM
DAVID EDWARDS-SMITH, Chair, Board of Massage Therapists,
testified as an appointee to the Board of Massage Therapists for
another term.
4:41:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON spoke to HB 110 regarding concerns with
sex trafficking and offered concern about the licensing issue
that arose during testimony.
CHAIR KITO clarified that the bill to which Representative
Josephson was referring was no longer in the committee and was
not part of the confirmation hearing.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON restated his question and asked Mr.
Edwards-Smith how he would respect the independence of other
practices.
MR. EDWARDS-SMITH answered that when the board was looking at
the language regarding registration, what was used was
successful language that was utilized in the State of Alabama.
He stated that the board thought it would it would be a good
idea, and added that the board is completely removing that
language because the board wanted to deal with the proliferation
of sex trafficking.
4:46:23 PM
VERSHAWN IDOM, Appointee, Board of Barbers and Hairdressers,
testified as an appointee to the Board of Barbers and
Hairdressers.
CHAIR KITO asked whether a record of an assault charge would
have any impact on Mr. Idom's board membership.
MR. IDOM stated he doesn't think it would have any bearing on
the board. He added it was a situation that got out of control
and that he is still friend of the party involved.
4:47:46 PM
LON NEEDLES, Board Member, Alaska Labor Relations Agency, Alaska
Department of Labor and Workforce Development, He indicated he
was currently a board member and was seeking reappointment.
CHAIR KITO asked Mr. Needles how long he had been serving on the
board.
MR. NEEDLES answered membership was a three-year tenure, so he
had been a member for around 2.75 years.
CHAIR KITO asked for confirmation that it would be a second
term.
MR. NEEDLES answered in the affirmative.
CHAIR KITO mentioned a charge of domestic relations issue from
1992 and asked whether it would impact his membership on the
Labor Relations board.
MR. NEEDLES answered that he did not think it would have any
impact.
4:49:21 PM
SARA ERICKSON, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board),
Office of the Governor, stated she was nominated by the governor
to serve on the ABC Board.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked Ms. Erickson about her experience with
the ABC Board.
MS. ERICKSON stated she is a lifelong Alaskan with strong
interest in public service. She explained she had served on a
number of boards.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked whether Ms. Erickson had a strong
feeling about alcohol one way or another.
MS. ERICKSON answered that she does not have a political agenda.
She aimed to offer a different perspective.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked Ms. Erickson whether she is aware of
the geographical representation on the board.
MS. ERICKSON answered in the affirmative.
4:53:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked Ms. Erickson to define a "healthy
alcohol industry."
MS. ERICKSON answered that she thinks it is important to find
the right balance of economic interests and public safety.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked Ms. Erickson whether she would feel
it was her duty to enforce statute or police the industry.
MS. ERICKSON answered, "All of the above." She added that she
knows there are rules in place and that those rules need to be
adhered to. She said she aimed to bring a reasonable
conversation to the table.
4:55:30 PM
MS. ERICKSON, in response to Representative Wool, replied that
she is Representative Chuck Kopp's sister and Representative
Kopp is not "keyed in on" the issues of the ABC Board.
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP commented the Ms. Erickson does have a
close relationship with law enforcement and offered that she's a
great candidate.
4:57:56 PM
ERIC LINGLE, Public member, Board of Examiners in Optometry,
Office of the Governor, testified as an appointee to the Board
of Examiners in Optometry. He indicated he was seeking
reappointment.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said the legislature had passed an
important bill regarding optometry practices. He asked Mr.
Lingle how he would meld the existing law with the capacity of
the board to assert more authority over the destiny of the
optometrist practice.
MR. LINGLE surmised he was referring to one of the sections of
the law that states that optometrists can remove a foreign body
from the eye. He explained that's not suggesting that
optometrists can engage in surgery.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON said he thought it is unclear. He asked
Mr. Lingle what he thinks the law allows optometrists to do.
MR. LINGLE answered he thinks it grants the board more authority
but does not allow optometrists to perform surgical procedures.
5:00:03 PM
KENNI LINDEN, Public Member, Board of Certified Direct-Entry
Midwives testified as an appointee to the Board of Certified
Direct-Entry Midwives.
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked about Ms. Linden's
involvement with Planned Parenthood.
MS. LINDEN confirmed she did previously work for Planned
Parenthood and she left in July 2016 to have a baby. She added
her midwife had recommended she apply for the board position.
She said she had no political agenda and her interest in the
board is about her interest in women's health.
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD said she knew that Ms. Linden
applied to other boards and commissions and asked her to
consider those as well. She said there is already
representation from the valley on the board. She added she had
received concerns from her constituents about Ms. Linden's
involvement with Planned Parenthood.
MS. LINDEN answered that she appreciates Representative
Sullivan-Leonard concern. She stated she was approached by her
own midwife because there hadn't been anyone else who applied
for the public position. She said she is passionate about
women's health and her experience with her midwife was life-
changing.
5:05:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked Ms. Linden whether there is
something that says a midwife should not be supportive of a
constitutional right to choose to have an abortion.
MS. LINDEN answered that to her knowledge there is not. She
said midwives hold a range of views politically, culturally, and
religiously. She clarified she is not a midwife, only a client.
[Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development (DCCED), Mike Navarre's name was advanced to a joint
session of the House of Representatives and the Senate on
3/19/18]
[The following names were advance to a joint session of the
House of Representatives and the Senate on 4/9/18: Board of
Massage Therapists, David Edwards-Smith; Board of Barbers and
Hairdressers, Vershawn Idom; Alaska Labor Relations Agency, Lon
Needles; Alcoholic Beverage Control Board ("ABC Board"), Sara
Erickson; Board of Examiners in Optometry, Eric Lingle; and
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives, Kenni Linden.]
5:06:56 PM
CHAIR KITO noted that members were leaving and he would have to
adjourn the meeting.
5:07:45 PM
CHAIR KITO, in response to Representative Birch, answered that
while he would like to have heard HB 326 today, the committee's
schedule for today and Monday has been pushed.
CHAIR KITO, in response to Representative Sullivan-Leonard,
noted that he would have to research whether a telephonic member
can vote.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON commented that he had a constructive
meeting with two naturopaths today.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL echoed the sentiments of Representative
Josephson and is looking forward to hearing HB 326.
5:09:07 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Stand Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:09
p.m.