04/24/2023 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB21 | |
| HB92 | |
| HB137|| HB138 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 138 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 92 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 24, 2023
3:19 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Stanley Wright
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Zack Fields
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Jesse Sumner, Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
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. 92
"An Act relating to claims against protection and indemnity
insurance policies of vessel owners."
- MOVED CSHB 92(FSH) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 137
"An Act relating to an interstate physical therapy licensure
compact; relating to the licensure of physical therapists,
physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and
occupational therapy assistants; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 138
"An Act relating to an audiology and speech-language interstate
compact; relating to the practice of audiology and the practice
of speech-language pathology; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 119
"An Act relating to marijuana taxes; and providing for an
effective date."
- BILL HEARING RESCHEDULED TO 4/26/23
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
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
04/17/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/17/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/19/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/19/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/21/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/21/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 04/24/23>
04/24/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 92
SHORT TITLE: FISHERMEN'S FUND: VESSEL OWNER CLAIMS
SPONSOR(s): FISHERIES
03/01/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/01/23 (H) FSH, L&C
03/07/23 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
03/07/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/07/23 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
03/14/23 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
03/14/23 (H) Moved CSHB 92(FSH) Out of Committee
03/14/23 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
03/15/23 (H) FSH RPT CS(FSH) NEW TITLE 6DP 1NR
03/15/23 (H) DP: HIMSCHOOT, MCCORMICK, CARPENTER,
STUTES, MCCABE, VANCE
03/15/23 (H) NR: C.JOHNSON
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
BILL: HB 137
SHORT TITLE: PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
SPONSOR(s): WRIGHT
03/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/27/23 (H) L&C, FIN
04/21/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/21/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/24/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 138
SHORT TITLE: AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT
SPONSOR(s): WRIGHT
03/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/27/23 (H) L&C, FIN
04/21/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/21/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/24/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, gave a brief overview of
HB 21.
KEN TRUITT, Legislative Liaison
Department of Administration
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
21.
RACHAEL GUNN, Staff
Representative Stanley Wright
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 137 and HB 138 on behalf of
Representative Stanely Wright, prime sponsor.
JEFF ROSA, Compact Administrator
Physical Therapist Licensure Compact Commission
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 137 and HB 138.
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
137 and HB 138.
LEEANNE CARROTHERS, PT, PhD, Federal Affairs Liaison
American Physical Therapy Association
Alaska Chapter
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 137.
REBECCA BYERLEY, PT, DPT, Chief Delegate
American Physical Therapy Association
Alaska Chapter
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 137.
NAHALE KALFAS, Legal Counsel
Council of State Governments
National Center for State Compacts
Raleigh, North Carolina
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 137 and HB 138.
NANCY LOVERING, MS, CCC-SLP
Alaska Speech and Hearing Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 138.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:19:11 PM
VICE CHAIR JUSTIN RUFFRIDGE called the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:19 p.m.
Representatives Prax, Saddler, Wright, Carrick, Fields, and
Ruffridge were present at the call to order.
HB 21-SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR
3:20:08 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the first 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."
3:20:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE, Alaska State Legislature, stated
that HB 21 would allow school districts and the University of
Alaska to join group health insurance plans, and this could
potentially save these systems millions of dollars in health
care costs.
3:21:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 21,
labeled, 33-LS0254\A.1, Klein, 4/18/23, which read as follows:
Page 9, following line 6:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 9. AS 39.30.090 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(c) When the Department of Administration
receives a resolution from a governmental unit
authorizing participation under a state group
insurance policy, before the commissioner of
administration approves the participation, the
department shall investigate the potential cost of
admitting the unit, including whether as a result of
admitting the unit the rates of eligible employees
will increase or decrease, and provide actuarial
analysis to the legislature."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 9, line 23:
Delete "1 - 10"
Insert "1 - 11"
Page 9, lines 24 - 25:
Delete "1 - 10"
Insert "1 - 11"
Page 10, line 10:
Delete "12 and 13"
Insert "13 and 14"
Page 10, line 11:
Delete "sec. 14"
Insert "sec. 15"
3:21:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS explained that Amendment 1 would require
the Department of Administration (DOA) to conduct a review of
the effects of HB 21.
3:22:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether there is an estimated cost
for such a review.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS answered that an estimate would be done
automatically.
3:23:38 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:23 p.m. to 3:26 p.m.
3:26:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented that he worked with DOA to write
the amendment.
3:26:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE expressed concern that the wording of the
amendment could delay the process of school districts joining
Alaska Care.
3:27:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed the understanding that each
school district joining the group insurance coverage would be
conducting its own actuarial analysis; therefore, DOA conducting
this analysis would be unnecessary.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS responded that the analysis would be to
determine the cost to the state, not each district which joins.
3:29:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the results of the analysis
would give the state the ability to reject a school district, or
whether this would be simply to inform the legislature.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS answered that the language change from
"shall" to "may" would give the state the ability to reject a
school district.
3:30:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK expressed concern that the bill could
potentially increase costs for employees covered by Alaska Care;
therefore, she expressed support for the amendment because it
will analyze these costs.
3:31:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that the legislature has the
responsibility to view costs as a whole, and insurance costs are
a significant source of spending on education.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS responded that the intent of the amendment
is to lower health insurance costs for those covered by Alaska
Care.
3:32:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether it is worth the cost to
conduct an additional actuarial analysis.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS answered that the amendment would require
DOA to share an actuarial analysis which would have already been
conducted.
3:33:59 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:33 p.m. to 3:36 p.m.
3:36:20 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Prax, Carrick,
Fields, and Ruffridge voted in favor of Amendment 1 to HB 21.
Representatives Saddler and Wright voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 4-2.
3:37:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 21, as
amended, labeled 33-LS0254\A.2, Klein, 4/17/23, which read as
follows:
Page 4, lines 14 - 27:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 9, line 23:
Delete "Sections 1 - 10"
Insert "Sections 1 - 9"
Page 9, lines 24 - 25:
Delete "secs. 1 - 10"
Insert "secs. 1 - 9"
Page 10, line 3:
Delete "sec. 4"
Insert "sec. 3"
Page 10, line 10:
Delete "Sections 12 and 13"
Insert "Sections 11 and 12"
Page 10, line 11:
Delete "sec. 14"
Insert "sec. 13"
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected for the purpose of discussion.
3:37:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS explained that Amendment 2 would remove
the ability to use the public education fund to onboard groups
joining Alaska Care.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE expressed the opinion that the amendment
would be detrimental to the accounting mechanisms present in the
bill.
3:38:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked for further explanation of the
accounting mechanisms.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered that it is unknown whether each
school district has reserve funds for the purpose of starting a
new health care program, and the proposed legislation would
allow a school district to take a short-term loan from the
education fund.
3:40:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked what the process would be if a
school district needed the loan.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered that the intent of Section 3 of
the bill would be to transfer any leftover self-funded insurance
reserve to the group fund. She advised that this would help DOA
continue the health care program as seamlessly as possible. The
proposed legislation would also provide funds to those districts
without leftover funds, which the school districts would have to
repay. She reiterated that this would not draw upon the public
education fund for any other purpose than to keep the cashflow
benefits during the transition period. In response to a follow-
up question, she said that the public education fund must be
reimbursed, and it only covers the first four months of the
transition.
3:43:49 PM
KEN TRUITT, Legislative Liaison, Department of Administration,
continuing the response to the previous question, added that DOA
is content to allow the legislature to create a funding
mechanism for transitioning school districts, although the
amendment could present challenges for cashflow. He stated that
the Alaska Care program acts as a non-profit health insurance
company, which is financed by employee premiums and
contributions. The reserves are managed to fit the needs of its
members.
3:48:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed the understanding that the
bill, as written, would provide a solid backstop to cover the
addition of new members in the short term.
3:49:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether there are cases in which
expanding the pool would increase costs.
MR. TRUITT expressed uncertainty. He added that the actuarial
analysis would provide a more definitive answer.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented that there are groups with high-
cost individuals which could increase costs for all individuals
covered by Alaska Care.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE responded that only a small number of
individuals would qualify for the education fund loan.
3:52:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the actuarial analysis would
be based on the number of school districts that join.
MR. TRUITT answered that, because of the difficulty in
predicting which school districts may join, the analysis would
cover three different scenarios - whether costs to Alaska Care
increase, decrease, or remain the same.
3:55:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked when the analysis would become
available.
MR. TRUITT answered approximately three weeks after work begins,
which usually occurs when a bill reaches the finance committee.
3:56:20 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE questioned what the sources of funding for
new groups to join would be without Section 3.
MR. TRUITT answered that this could potentially create a
cashflow issue for Alaska Care. In response to a follow-up
question, he expressed uncertainty whether the amount of $100
million is too much.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE added that the public education fund is the
most appropriate fund to use for the purpose of school districts
joining Alaska Care. She added that the ultimate intent of the
bill is to bolster education funding by reducing health care
costs for school districts.
4:01:49 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether the bill would allow the
commissioner of DOA to expend public education funding for the
first time.
MR. TRUITT expressed uncertainty. He referenced Vice Chair
Ruffridge's previous question, remarking that $100 million is
not a large number in terms of the Alaska Care plan.
4:03:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether Amendment 2 would eliminate
the ability for some school districts to join the Alaska Care
plan.
MR. TRUITT expressed uncertainty.
4:05:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that, under statute, the fund
for health insurance and benefits is under the general fund, and
in previous years the education fund has been used to cover
expenses which fell under the general fund.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS responded that the proposed bill would
apply to other governmental institutions which are not school
districts. In other words, the bill could potentially allow the
education fund to be used for the benefit of other institutions.
4:06:35 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:06 p.m. to 4:10 p.m.
4:10:59 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 21, as amended, was held
over. [The motion to adopt Amendment 2, with objection, was
left pending.]
HB 92-FISHERMEN'S FUND: VESSEL OWNER CLAIMS
4:11:11 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 92, "An Act relating to claims against
protection and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners."
[Before the committee, adopted as a working document on 3/14/23,
was the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 92, Version
33-LS0520\B, Marx, 3/9/23 ("Version B").]
4:11:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that Version B would increase the
cap for vessel reimbursement claims to $15,000 for crewmembers
and vessel owners. She noted that the change is supported by
the industry and would not cause long-term issues for the fund.
4:12:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether coverage for treatment for
COVID-19 was covered by Version B.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE responded that this had been discussed but
was not recommended by the Fisherman's Fund Council.
4:13:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked why COVID-19 is not included.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered that no federal funding is
available to cover these expenses, and the Fishermen's Fund is a
pre-statehood account, and the council has sought to keep with
its original intent. She stated that illnesses contracted while
at sea are covered under maritime law; however, adding COVID-19
to the list of conditions covered by the fund would discourage
stronger insurance coverage.
4:15:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether any money from the state goes
to the fund.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered no. In response to a follow-up
question, she agreed that the proposed bill would allow the
fund's council to do as it wishes.
4:17:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to report CSHB 92, Version 33-
LS0520\B, Marx, 3/9/23, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, CSHB 92(FSH) was reported from the House Labor and
Commerce Standing Committee.
4:17:29 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:17 p.m. to 4:22 p.m.
HB 137-PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
HB 138-AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT
4:22:33 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 137, "An Act relating to an interstate
physical therapy licensure compact; relating to the licensure of
physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational
therapists, and occupational therapy assistants; and providing
for an effective date." and HOUSE BILL NO. 138, "An Act relating
to an audiology and speech-language interstate compact; relating
to the practice of audiology and the practice of speech-language
pathology; and providing for an effective date."
4:23:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT stated that HB 137 would allow Alaska to
join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, and HB 138 [which
is the final order of business before the committee] would allow
the state to join the Audiologist and Speech Language Therapist
Compact.
4:24:06 PM
RACHAEL GUNN, Staff, Representative Stanley Wright, Alaska State
Legislature, stated that licensure compacts allow states to
cooperate in policy areas relating to the licensure fields,
resulting in the increase access to quality care. She stated
that individuals seeking licensure in the two fields covered by
HB 137 and HB 138 would still receive a license in their home
state, unlike the Nurse Licensure Compact.
4:28:19 PM
JEFF ROSA, Compact Administrator, Physical Therapist Licensure
Compact Commission, stated that the goal of the Physical
Therapist Licensure Compact is to increase public protections
and access to physical therapy. He added that a physical
therapist wishing to practice in another state would still need
to seek permission to work in that state. He explained that the
compact preserves the state licensure system while creating an
easier and more efficient route to practice in another state.
4:31:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how many physical therapists are in
the state. He questioned the number of these who are military
spouses.
MR. ROSA deferred to the bill sponsor.
4:32:04 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations, Business, and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development, answered that there are 1,314 licensed
physical therapists and 202 physical therapist assistants in the
state.
4:32:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX questioned the fee when another state
license is added.
MR. ROSA answered that a license covering every state would be
more expensive, and some licensees may not wish to take
advantage of the ability to practice in another state. He
continued that the fee would cover an individual's ability to
practice in another state. He added that the fees have allowed
the commission to avoid charging an assessment fee to member
states. In response to a follow-up question, he said that each
state sets their own licensure fee.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked how the state would know it is making
the best use of the fee in future years.
MR. ROSA answered that each fee is set up by an administrative
rules process.
4:38:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether there is a shortage of
physical therapists or audiologists in Alaska. She also
questioned the wait time for physical therapists or audiologists
to receive a license.
MR. ROSA answered that he would defer to subsequent invited
testimony to answer these questions.
4:39:57 PM
LEEANNE CARROTHERS, PT, PhD, Federal Affairs Liaison, American
Physical Therapy Association, Alaska Chapter, stated that she is
unsure of the exact number of physical therapists currently
needed in the state, but there is a shortage of health care
workers across all fields in Alaska. She said that the wait for
a physical therapist license is several months, which negatively
impacts the care of Alaskans.
4:42:54 PM
REBECCA BYERLEY, PT, DPT, Chief Delegate, American Physical
Therapy Association, Alaska Chapter, stated that there are
openings for physical therapist jobs in all aspects of physical
therapy on the Kenai Peninsula. She suggested that the openings
are a sign of a shortage. She observed that there are patients
who have no care once they leave the hospital, which could
eventually lead to more health issues in the future.
4:45:53 PM
NAHALE KALFAS, Legal Counsel, Council of State Governments,
National Center for State Compacts, stated that the Audiologist
and Speech Language Therapist Licensure Compact works similarly
to the Physical Therapist Licensure Compact. This compact is
newer than the physical therapist compact, with operations still
being set up, and it has 26 member states. She said that the
compact has a provision to allow the spouse of an active-duty
member of the military to set a home state, and it is the first
compact to have such a provision. She added that the compact
would increase public protections and access to care.
4:50:04 PM
MS. KALFAS, in response to a question from Representative
Saddler, stated that the compact has an active commission with
funding sources, and the data system required to begin issuing
licenses is still being set up. In response to a follow-up
question, she reiterated that the commission has not begun
issuing licenses. She added that other compacts have gone
through the same process. In response to a follow-up question,
she stated that the compact is only for fully licensed
professionals, not students.
4:54:40 PM
NANCY LOVERING, MS, CCC-SLP, Alaska Speech and Hearing
Association, stated that HB 138 would increase access to
audiology and speech therapy care and reduce burdens on military
families. She stated that because of the lack of a state board
for audiology and speech therapy, consumer protections would be
increased and joining the compact would provide a level of
oversite not currently present.
4:56:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether joining the compact would
affect a speech therapist's ability to bill insurance.
MS. LOVERING answered no.
4:57:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether there are significant
shortages or licensure wait times for any professions covered by
HB 137 or HB 138.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT answered that he is unsure but would
provide any available numbers at a future time.
4:58:27 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether fingerprinting would be a
requirement for an individual wishing to take advantage of the
compact.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT answered that fingerprinting is an
additional security measure which would increase state
cooperation.
MS. GUNN added that many other states already require
fingerprinting. In response to a follow-up question, she said
that it is a requirement of both compacts.
5:00:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the process of fingerprinting
would necessitate repetition for an individual moving to Alaska.
MS. GUNN answered that previous information, including
disciplinary action, would be available to the state.
5:01:39 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 137 and HB 138 were held
over.
5:01:50 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
[5:02] p.m.