Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/29/1999 01:40 PM Senate L&C
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE
April 29, 1999
1:40 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jerry Mackie, Chairman
Senator Tim Kelly, Vice Chairman
Senator Dave Donley
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Loren Leman
Senator Lyman Hoffman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 71(HES)
"An Act relating to licensure by the State Medical Board."
-MOVED CSSB 71(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION APPOINTMENTS
Commissioner - Department of Labor: Ed Flanagan
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: Ellen Ganley, Fairbanks, Joe
Thomas, Jr., Juneau, Thomas C. Walker, Seward
Alaska Labor Relations Agency: Blair E. Marcotte, Fairbanks,
Raymond P. Smith, Anchorage
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land
Surveyors: Linda Cyra-Korsgaard, Anchorage, Marcia R. Davis,
Anchorage, D. Lance Mearig, Juneau
Board of Chiropractic Examiners: Carol J. Davis, Fairbanks, Steven
D. Messerschmidt, Juneau, Sean C. Siegel, Anchorage
Board of Dispensing Opticians: James Rothmeyer, Fairbanks, Roberta
Rawcliffe, Palmer
Board of Marine Pilots: Robert M. Berto, Ketchikan
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers: Vince Coan, Wasilla,
James A. Hage, Fairbanks
Board of Veterinary Examiners: Connie J. Sanders, Anchorage
Board of Worker's Compensation: Andrew J. Piekarski, Anchorage,
Nancy J. Ridgley, Ketchikan, Dorothy Bradshaw, Fairbanks, Philip E.
Ulmer, Eagle River
Real Estate Commission: Eleanor F. Oakley, Palmer, Larry Spencer,
Juneau, Linda L. Freed, Kodiak
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SB 71 - See HESS minutes dated 4/7/99 and 4/12/99 and Labor and
Commerce Committee minutes dated 4/27/99.
WITNESS REGISTER
Mr. Ed Flanagan, Commissioner-Designee
Department of Labor
PO Box 21149
Juneau, AK 99802-1149
Mr. Gerald Newton
315 Dunbar Ave.
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Mr. Joe Tracanna
3040 Davis Rd.
Fairbanks, AK 99709
Ms. Ellen Ganley
4454 Chena Hot Springs Rd.
Fairbanks, AK 99712
Mr. Tom Walker
PO Box 1048
Seward, AK 99603
Ms. Blair Marcotte
PO Box 82785
Fairbanks, AK 99708
Mr. Raymond Smith
4020 Dale St. #1
Anchorage, AK 99508
Ms. Marcia Davis
6431 Regent Drive
Anchorage, AK 99504
Mr. D. Lance Mearig
PO Box 34752
Juneau, AK 99803
Mr. James Rothmeyer
4001 Geist Rd. Suite 7
Fairbanks, AK 99709
Ms. Roberta Rawcliffe
PO Box 623
Palmer, AK 99645
Mr. James Hage
711 Gaffney Road
Fairbanks, AK 99708
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 99-19, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN MACKIE called the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee
meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. Present were Senators Tim Kelly,
Dave Donley, and Chairman Mackie. The first order of business to
come before the committee was SB 71.
SB 71-PHYSICIAN LICENSURE CHANGES
SENATOR KELLY noted that the Alaska Medical Board's concerns with
SB 71 have been addressed in the proposed committee substitute. He
moved to adopt CSSB 71(L&C) in lieu of the original bill. There
being no objection, the motion carried.
SENATOR KELLY moved CSSB 71(L&C) from committee with individual
recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
ED FLANAGAN, Commissioner-Designee of the Department of Labor,
stated as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Labor for the
past four years, he has enjoyed working with legislators. He
believes it is a great responsibility and privilege to take on the
job of Commissioner and that his diverse background will serve as
good preparation for the challenges he will face in that position.
MR. FLANAGAN thanked committee members for their cooperation on SB
50.
GERALD NEWTON made the following comments via teleconference from
Fairbanks. After being discharged from the Department of Labor, he
filed a retaliatory discharge complaint with the U.S. Department of
Labor. After two years, he agreed to an out-of-court settlement.
He informed committee members he filed his complaint with the U.S.
Department of Labor because he did not believe he would get just
treatment from Local 71 since the Department of Labor has many
union employees. He asked that legislators investigate his case
before Mr. Flanagan is confirmed.
Number 116
CHAIRMAN MACKIE asked Mr. Newton to send committee members a letter
documenting his concerns.
SENATOR KELLY asked Mr. Newton why his case continued after he
settled out of court. MR. NEWTON replied that his case has
terminated but that one condition of the settlement was that he
never apply for a job with the Department of Labor again. He
stated he was able to prove that his discharge was a retaliatory
act by the Department of Labor.
CHAIRMAN MACKIE asked Mr. Newton to indicate in his letter whether
his concern is with the performance of Mr. Flanagan as
Commissioner, or with Local 71.
Number 145
MR. JOE TRACANNA, an electrician, made the following comments via
teleconference. When the electricians' union considers new
appointments, it looks for an individual who is willing to make a
commitment to uphold the laws passed by the Legislature. The
Legislature has given the Commissioner of the Department of Labor
the ultimate authority to ensure that the National Electrical Code
is followed. The Department of Labor must protect the environment,
worker health and safety, and laws.
CHAIRMAN MACKIE asked Mr. Tracanna if he had any comments to make
specific to Mr. Flanagan. MR. TRACANNA said he did not.
Number 191
ELLEN GANLEY, Alcohol Beverage Control Board (ABC) member for four
years and current vice-chair, stated the ABC board has made a
commitment to listen to communities about what they want in their
communities regarding liquor licenses. She hopes to be reappointed
to the ABC Board so that she can continue working in that
direction.
The committee took a brief at-ease.
TOM WALKER, appointee to the ABC Board, stated his resume was made
available to committee members and that he was available to answer
questions.
Number 207
BLAIR MARCOTTE stated she is a nominee for reappointment to the
Alaska Labor Relations Agency and is pleased about Ed Flanagan's
confirmation. She noted the Alaska Labor Relations Agency has had
a tough year because of many staffing transitions, and although
serving on its board is a large amount of work, she believes in the
agency's mission and will continue to volunteer if reappointed.
RAYMOND SMITH, nominee for the Alaska Labor Relations Agency,
stated he has found it to be a pleasure to serve on, and work with,
the board, and he would be pleased to continue to do so.
Number 228
MARCIA DAVIS, public member nominee to the Board of Registration
for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors, stated, via
teleconference, she has served as the public member for the past 2+
years. As a lawyer by training, she has been able to assist the
board with legal drafting. and she would appreciate the opportunity
to continue to serve.
LANCE MEARIG, nominee to the Board of Registration for Architects,
Engineers, and Land Surveyors, stated he submitted a resume for
review by committee members and was available to answer questions.
Number 250
JAMES ROTHMEYER stated he looks forward to working with the Board
of Dispensing Opticians.
ROBERTA RAWCLIFFE also stated she looks forward to working on the
Board of Dispensing Opticians if so confirmed.
Number 270
JAMES HAGE, nominee to the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots, stated he
has attended one meeting of the Board of Marine Pilots so far and
looks forward to working with the board.
DOROTHY BRADSHAW, nominee to the Workers' Compensation Board,
stated she submitted a detailed resume to committee members and was
available to answer questions.
DAVE GRAY, committee aide, informed committee members Mr. Piekarski
and Mr. Ulmer were unable to be present for today's hearing.
There being no further testimony, CHAIRMAN MACKIE announced the
committee would forward the letter of confirmation to the full
Senate for action at the appropriate time. He thanked participants
and adjourned the meeting at 2:03 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|