04/17/2023 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB88 | |
| HB21 | |
| HB149 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 149 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 88 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 17, 2023
3:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jesse Sumner, Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Stanley Wright
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Zack Fields
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 88
"An Act relating to work quotas for employees at warehouse
distribution centers; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 88(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 21
"An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance
coverage for school district employees, employees of the
University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units
in the state; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 149
"An Act relating to the licensure of nursing professionals;
relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact; and providing
for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 150
"An Act relating to residential building codes; relating to
construction contractors and residential contractor
endorsements; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 88
SHORT TITLE: WAREHOUSE WORK QUOTA INFORMATION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RAUSCHER
02/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/27/23 (H) L&C, JUD
03/29/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/29/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/29/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/10/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/10/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/12/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/12/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/12/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/14/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/14/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/14/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/17/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 21
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) VANCE
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) CRA, EDC, L&C
01/27/23 (H) CRA REFERRAL REMOVED
01/27/23 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/13/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/13/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/27/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/27/23 (H) Moved HB 21 Out of Committee
03/27/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/29/23 (H) EDC RPT 2DP 4NR
03/29/23 (H) DP: MCKAY, ALLARD
03/29/23 (H) NR: HIMSCHOOT, STORY, PRAX, RUFFRIDGE
04/03/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/03/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/05/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/05/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/12/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/12/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/12/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/14/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/14/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/14/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/17/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 149
SHORT TITLE: NURSING: LICENSURE; MULTISTATE COMPACT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) PRAX
03/31/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/31/23 (H) MLV, L&C
04/03/23 (H) MLV REFERRAL MOVED TO AFTER L&C
04/03/23 (H) BILL REPRINTED
04/07/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/07/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/12/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/12/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/12/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/14/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/14/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/14/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/17/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
CLAYTON HOLLAND, Superintendent
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided public testimony during the
hearing on HB 21.
BONNIE PAYSON, Executive Director
Pacific Health Coalition
Ridgefield, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony during the
hearing on HB 21.
PAT SHIER, Alaska Membership Representative
Pacific Health Coalition
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony during the
hearing on HB 21.
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions during
the hearing on HB 21.
BETSY WOOD, Chief Health Administrator
Division of Retirement and Benefits
Department of Administration
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
21.
DANETTE SCHLOEDER, DNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS, Chair
Alaska Board of Nursing
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony on HB 149.
SYLVAN ROBB, Director
Division of Corporations Business and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
149.
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Regional Liaison
Defense-State Liaison Office
Department of Defense
Seattle, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 149.
MOLLYMAEVE LUSK, Associate
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Chicago, Illinois
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
149.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:35:47 PM
CHAIR JESSE SUMNER called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. Representatives
Ruffridge, Prax, Saddler, Wright, Carrick, Fields, and Sumner
were present at the call to order.
HB 88-WAREHOUSE WORK QUOTA INFORMATION
3:36:25 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 88, "An Act relating to work quotas for employees
at warehouse distribution centers; and providing for an
effective date."
3:36:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT moved to rescind the committee's previous
action in failing to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 88 on 4/14/23.
There being no objection, Amendment 3, labeled 33-LS0516\A.3,
Klein, 4/14/23 was once again before the committee. Amendment 3
read as follows:
Page 1, line 9:
Delete "100"
Insert "200"
3:37:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected to Amendment 3 for the purpose
of discussion. He questioned the effect of the amendment.
3:37:33 PM
CHAIR SUMNER responded that the amendment would increase the
threshold in the bill from 100 employees to 200 employees.
3:38:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE removed his objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 3 was adopted.
3:38:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report HB 88, as amended, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB
88(L&C) was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee.
HB 21-SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR
3:38:50 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 21, "An Act relating to group insurance coverage
and self-insurance coverage for school district employees,
employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other
governmental units in the state; and providing for an effective
date."
3:40:06 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
3:40:44 PM
CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 21.
3:40:47 PM
CLAYTON HOLLAND, Superintendent, Kenai Peninsula Borough School
District, stated that Alaska has the highest health care costs
and Alaskans have the highest insurance premiums in the U.S. He
explained that Alaskans have high out-of-pocket costs, and these
high health care costs are negatively impacting recruitment and
retention in Kenai schools. He expressed the belief that
joining a larger health care pool would alleviate some of those
costs.
3:42:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS questioned why political subdivisions are
not working.
MR. HOLLAND answered that school districts only have the
opportunity to renegotiate health care costs during collective
bargaining agreement negotiations. He added that Kenai
Peninsula Borough School District is self-insured.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked about other potential options for
the district.
MR. HOLLAND answered that the district submits all relevant
information in its annual bid for health care plans. He added
that the cost is $25,000 per employee, with the potential to
reduce costs to $20,000 per employee, if a bid were made with an
insurance company.
3:46:05 PM
MR. HOLLAND, in response to a question from Chair Sumner,
reiterated that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
self-insures. In response to a follow-up question, he said that
the district is separate from the borough. He added that there
has been interest expressed in combining the two accounts. In
response to a follow-up question, without the numbers in front
of him, he expressed uncertainty of the account balance for the
district.
3:47:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the school district
administers the policy or uses a network.
MR. HOLLAND answered that the district works with a network. In
response to a follow-up question, he said that the district does
have a stop-loss policy.
3:49:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether the Kenai Peninsula Borough
School District would have the ability to join Alaska Care if HB
21 were passed.
MR. HOLLAND answered that the school district would join the
plan if the bill were passed. In response to a follow-up
question, he expressed the belief that adding the school
district to the pool would reduce healthcare costs for everyone
involved.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether joining Alaska Care would
require Kenai Peninsula Borough School District to renegotiate
the union contract.
MR. HOLLAND answered that negotiations occur every three years,
with the upcoming year being a negotiation year. He added that
other school districts could amend their contracts or wait for
their next negotiation. In response to a follow-up question, he
said that costs have increased significantly, although he does
not have the numbers available.
3:54:41 PM
CHAIR SUMNER, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 21.
3:55:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether the Kenai Peninsula Borough
School District would be able to join the Pacific Health
Coalition.
3:56:08 PM
BONNIE PAYSON, Executive Director, Pacific Health Coalition,
providing invited testimony, answered that Kenai Peninsula
Borough School District is already a member of the Pacific
Health Coalition. She added that the coalition works to
negotiate insurance rates as a group in order to reduce prices.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked for clarification on whether the
school district is a member.
MS. PAYSON answered that the school district is a member.
3:58:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS questioned the requirements for entry and
exit into the pool to prevent undermining price shopping.
MS. PAYSON expressed uncertainty; however, she suggested that a
lack of such controls could lead to Alaska Care being
undermined.
PAT SHIER, Alaska Membership Representative, Pacific Health
Coalition, added that he is unaware of any state allowing any
public entity to join its state employee group.
4:00:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the limit in Section 3 of
the bill would be an annual limit.
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, answered that the limit would allow the fund to be used
for claims over a period of multiple years.
4:01:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked why expenditures would come out
of the public education fund.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered that this is an accounting
mechanism and the fund would be reimbursed. In response to a
follow-up question, she answered that the bill would require
funds to be transferred within 30 days.
4:04:50 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:04 p.m. to 4:13 p.m.
4:13:21 PM
BETSY WOOD, Chief Health Administrator, Division of Retirement
and Benefits, Department of Administration, in response to a
question from Representative Fields, expressed uncertainty on
the amount of money currently in the public education fund. She
added that the Department of Education and Early Development
would be more likely to have this information.
4:14:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE questioned using the public education
fund to pay for health insurance and benefits.
MS. WOOD answered that Section 3 would allow the fund to be used
to cover 4 months' worth of health insurance claims.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE added that participating school employers
will reimburse the fund, and it is a mechanism for a school
district to be able to gain entry into the program and allow
insurance claims to be paid.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked whether the 10-year language in
the bill would act as a loan.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered that the intent is to provide
continuous health care coverage and flexibility.
4:19:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether a school district would be
required to pay back money it used from the public education
fund, if it entered and then left the Alaska Care system.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered yes.
MS. WOOD concurred with the assessment.
4:20:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX expressed the hope that the Department of
Administration extensively reviewed the proposed legislation, as
the complex nature of the bill would mean future changes would
be difficult to make.
4:22:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether after joining Alaska Care a
school district would be able to transfer its reserves.
MS. WOOD answered yes.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE added that it would be the duty of the
school boards to pay for participation in Alaska Care. She said
that any closing balance a school district has would be provided
to the group health fund. The public education fund would only
be used in cases in which a school district does not have a
remaining balance to cover insurance.
4:25:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether new members would be added
to the same pool or a new pool.
MS. WOOD responded that the proposed legislation would give the
department the option. She expressed the belief that the intent
of the bill is to pool new members with Alaska Care.
4:26:22 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that HB 21 was held over.
HB 149-NURSING: LICENSURE; MULTISTATE COMPACT
4:27:03 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 149, "An Act relating to the licensure of nursing
professionals; relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact;
and providing for an effective date."
4:27:48 PM
DANETTE SCHLOEDER, DNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS, Chair, Alaska
Board of Nursing, stated that she has been a registered nurse in
Alaska for 28 years and a member of the Alaska Board of Nursing
for 4 years. She explained that the board is comprised of seven
members, and its mission is to promote the health of Alaskans by
making licensing decisions, enforcing ethics, and setting
licensing requirements. After hearing stories of nurses needing
several different licenses to practice in other states, she said
that since 2017 the board has supported joining the Nursing
Licensure Compact (NLC). She stated that the Alaska Board of
Nursing has reviewed the requirements and qualifications to earn
a license under the NLC, and she expressed the opinion that
joining the NLC would not have adverse effects on Alaskans, nor
would it reduce state sovereignty. She continued that joining
the NLC would be a significant step toward reducing the nursing
shortage.
4:32:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether it was true that individuals
were only nominated to the Alaska Board of Nursing if they
supported the NLC.
MS. SCHLOEDER responded that she was not asked whether she
supported the NLC when she was appointed to the board. In
response to a follow-up question, concerning continuing
education requirements, she stated that there are different
levels of continuing education and different states have
different requirements, and she cannot compare the different
continuing education requirements. She added that the board
addresses licensure, which is based on competency. In response
to a follow-up question, she expressed uncertainty about how NLC
would affect licensure costs.
4:36:30 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations Business and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development, said that there are a handful of states
without further education requirements, and the National Council
of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) would have further insight
into these requirements.
4:37:31 PM
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison
Office, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), stated that DoD
supports any legislation which helps military families. She
stated that Alaska has the highest per capita rate of military
families, and many include spouses who work in a field requiring
licensure, with healthcare being the largest group. She said
that DoD supports HB 149, as the NLC will allow military spouses
to begin working, shortening the possible long periods of
unemployment. She added that Alaska is one of only five states
that is not a member of any licensure compact for any
occupation.
4:40:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether a bill passed the previous
year to expedite licensure for military spouses has been
helpful.
MS. PERRAULT answered in the affirmative. She added that
licensure compacts are more effective because they eliminate the
need for an additional licensure process in any form.
4:41:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether there are any occupations
where DoD does not support compacting or has no position.
MS. PERREAULT answered that there are 15 different occupational
licensure compacts, of which the DoD supports 14. She continued
that DoD has no position on the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact, and this is because of the low number of military
spouses who would benefit.
4:42:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT asked whether the compact has been
successful in other states.
MS. PERREAULT answered in the affirmative. She added that
military spouses preparing to be stationed in a non-compact
state would face an additional barrier. In response to a
follow-up question, she stated that licensure compacting reduces
costs for military families, and this includes lost income
waiting for the licensing process.
4:45:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether it was true NCSBN wrote in a
letter to the Nevada Legislature that NLC would not solve the
nursing shortage.
MOLLYMAEVE LUSK, Associate, National Council of State Boards of
Nursing, answered that the NLC is only one tool among others
that can be used to help reduce the shortage. In response to a
follow-up question, she said that it is not a goal of NLC to
support or facilitate "union busting." She added that NLC is a
benefit for individual nurses.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether NCSBN would be supportive of
adding antiunion busting language to the compact.
MS. LUSK answered that this would require review.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented that there was an incident in
Minnesota in which a nursing union was busted.
4:48:56 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that HB 149 was held over.
4:50:04 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
4:50 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Note HB149.pdf |
HL&C 4/17/2023 3:15:00 PM |
HB 149 |