03/12/2019 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| SB11 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 12, 2019
1:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lora Reinbold, Chair
Senator Mia Costello, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Chris Birch
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners:
Dr. Erin Johnson - Anchorage
CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Dental Examiners:
Brittany Dschaak - Dillingham
Dr. Jesse Hronkin- Palmer
Dr. David Nielson - Anchorage
Kelly Lucas - Wasilla
CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 11
"An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for certain
nonresident professionals; and relating to the Department of
Commerce, Community, and Economic Development."
-HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 11
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KAWASAKI
01/16/19 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/19
01/16/19 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/19 (S) L&C, FIN
03/07/19 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/07/19 (S) Heard & Held
03/07/19 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/12/19 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
ERIN JOHNSON, PhD; Appointee
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners.
BRITTANY DSCHAAK, Appointee
Board of Dental Examiners
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Dental Examiners.
KELLY LUCAS, DDS, MS; Appointee
Board of Dental Examiners
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Dental Examiners.
DAVID NIELSON, DDS; Appointee
Board of Dental Examiners
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Dental Examiners.
JESSE HRONKIN, DMD; Appointee
Board of Dental Examiners
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Dental Examiners.
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as sponsor of SB 11.
MERCEDES COLBERT, Staff
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 11 on behalf of Senator Scott
Kawasaki.
SARA CHAMBERS, Deputy Director
Juneau Office
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions on SB 11.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:32:07 PM
CHAIR LORA REINBOLD called the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Gray-Jackson, Costello, Birch, and
Chair Reinbold. Senator Bishop joined the meeting shortly
thereafter.
CHAIR REINBOLD remarked on the Beltz room, which is named after
William E. Beltz, an Inupiaq born in Haycock, Alaska. She said
that Mr. Beltz worked as a carpenter and lived in Unalakleet. He
served as a member of the Alaska Territorial Legislature from
1949 until 1959, serving in the House and Senate. When Alaska
became a state in 1959, Senator Beltz served as the first Senate
president in the Alaska State Legislature until his death in
1960.
SENATOR BIRCH mentioned that the late Senator Beltz's
grandniece, Lily Beltz, is one of his constituents. He said that
she recently came to Juneau as a Close-up student.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
Board of Dental Examiners
1:33:39 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD announced that the first order of business would
be the Confirmation Hearing for Dr. Erin Johnson, appointee to
the Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners
and Brittany Dschaak, Dr. Jesse Hronkin, Dr. David Nielson, and
Dr. Kelly Lucas, appointees to the Board of Dental Examiners.
1:34:00 PM
ERIN JOHNSON, PhD, Appointee, Board of Psychologists and
Psychological Associate Examiners, Division of Corporations,
Business, and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development (DCCED), stated that she
currently works for the Southcentral Foundation. She said she is
interested in serving on the board to better serve Alaskans. She
said she is a lifelong Alaska and received her undergraduate and
master's degree from the University of Alaska and her doctorate
degree in clinical and community psychology, with a rural
emphasis, from UAA and the University of Alaska Southeast. She
did her doctoral internship in Nome and spent six years in Nome
and in smaller communities in the Norton Sound region. She
returned to Anchorage in 2017 to work with Southcentral
Foundation's new neurodevelopmental diagnostic team.
1:36:15 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD opened public testimony, and after ascertaining
no one wished to testify, closed public testimony on the
confirmation hearing for Erin Johnson, appointee to the Board of
Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners.
1:36:31 PM
DR. JOHNSON thanked the committee for their time and service to
the state.
1:37:08 PM
BRITTANY DSCHAAK, Appointee, Board of Dental Examiners, Division
of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), said she is an appointee to the dental hygienist seat,
and is a registered dental hygienist. She received her Bachelor
of Science degree in dental hygiene at the University of South
Dakota. She worked at a large practice in South Dakota. In 2010,
she moved to Alaska and worked in Eagle River and Wasilla while
her husband was stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. In
2015, she and her family moved to Dillingham and she worked for
the dentist she currently works for in several offices in rural
Alaska. She would like to serve on the board to help streamline
the process for dental hygienist licensure and work on policies
to better serve rural communities.
1:39:52 PM
KELLY LUCAS, DDS, MS, Appointee, Board of Dental Examiners,
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), stated he has been a dentist in Alaska for 33 years. He
worked as a public health service officer, as a military
officer, and in private practice. He currently has practices in
Wasilla and Bristol Bay. He said he understands Alaska's dental
issues. He would like to reduce burdens on patients and dental
professionals to provide better access to services.
1:41:30 PM
DAVID NIELSON, DDS, Appointee, Board of Dental Examiners,
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), said he applied for reappointment to the board. He gave
his background, including that he moved to Alaska in 1985 and
initially worked at a neighborhood health clinic. He was in
private practice until 2012, and currently works for
SouthCentral Foundation. Four years ago, he applied to serve on
the board because his work schedule allowed him more time. His
service on numerous local, state, and dental association
positions has given him a unique perspective. He offered his
belief that after serving on the board, he better understands
his role. He also would like to give back to his profession by
upholding standards and protecting the public's interest. He
said he thinks it is important to weigh public access in terms
of regulating the profession. He characterized public access and
public safety as a "delicate balancing act." He said he was a
peer review chairman in Anchorage for 20 years and he is willing
to keep serving on the board.
1:44:13 PM
JESSE HRONKIN, DMD, Appointee, Board of Dental Examiners,
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), stated he earned his Doctor of Medical Dentistry at the
University of Louisville in 2004 and could not wait to return to
Alaska. He has been in private practice for 15 years. He worked
at the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center and has been
president of the Mat-Su Dental Society and the Alaska Dental
Society. He hoped to serve on the board to give back to his
profession and to uphold the highest standards of care for the
people of Alaska. He said he thinks that his experience in
private practice and his service from the professional
association's perspective may be beneficial to the board.
1:45:21 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD opened public testimony, and after ascertaining
no one wished to testify, closed public testimony on the
confirmation hearing for Brittany Dschaak, Dr. Jesse Hronkin,
Dr. David Nielson, and Dr. Kelly Lucas, appointees to the Board
of Dental Examiners.
1:46:03 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee reviewed the
following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a
joint session for consideration:
Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners:
Dr. Erin Johnson - Anchorage
Board of Dental Examiners:
Brittany Dschaak - Dillingham
Dr. Jesse Hronkin - Palmer
Dr. David Nielson - Anchorage
Dr. Kelly Lucas - Wasilla
1:46:22 PM
At-ease.
1:47:44 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD reconvened the meeting.
1:47:49 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD reminded members that signing the reports
regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way
reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees; the nominations are merely forwarded to the full
legislature for confirmation or rejection.
1:48:19 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD announced that the final order of business would
be SENATE BILL NO. 11, "An Act relating to temporary courtesy
licenses for certain nonresident professionals; and relating to
the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development."
1:48:31 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor of
SB 11, stated he briefly spoke at the last meeting. He stated
that Senator Costello has previously sponsored legislation to
address this important issue for military spouses and their
families. He said that over 9,000 servicemen and women serve in
Fairbanks. He anticipated an additional 4,000 members will move
to his region with the F35s. He said that of the 10,000 military
at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, over 5,000 are spouses. He
said that these spouses work in important professions and
certificated programs. He would like them to be able to perform
their duties without any barriers. He has been working closely
with the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development (DCCED) and other legislators in the last few years
to ensure that can happen. He related that former Representative
Bill Thomas originally introduced a bill in 2011 to expedite
courtesy licenses. The bill has evolved and last year it passed
the House unanimously. He said he appreciated the work that
Senator Costello, as Co-Chair of the Joint Armed Services, did
on the bill; however, it did not pass in the final days of the
legislative session. He said that SB 11 is the exact language in
House Bill 28 in the last legislature. He said this bill is pro-
military, pro-jobs, and pro-economy.
1:50:34 PM
MERCEDES COLBERT, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, introduced SB 11 on behalf of the sponsor, Senator
Scott Kawasaki. She paraphrased from a prepared statement, which
read as follows:
Senate Bill 11 would require Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development to report on the
progress of drafting and implementing regulations for
temporary courtesy occupational licenses for eligible
military spouses.
In 2011, House Bill 28 was passed to help ease the
transition for military families as they transferred
to Alaska. AS 08.01.063 provides expedited temporary
courtesy licenses to eligible spouses of Active Duty
Service members who already hold a license in another
state.
In the fall of 2017, Fairbanks business leaders and
legislators found that despite a series of nationwide
legislations, military families were still having
difficulties transitioning throughout many states,
including Alaska, particularly regarding obtaining
occupational licenses.
This issue was reiterated in the November 2017,
Updated Preliminary Findings of the Eielson Air Force
Base Regional Growth Plan. As a part of the study,
Focus Groups were conducted among military families to
discover what challenges they may face when relocating
to Alaska to serve. One of the comments featured in
these findings, was "Anyone who has a license in a
different state is required to get a new license or
certification in Alaska. This is a challenge."
The point of HB 28 was to reduce this same sort of
challenge back in 2011, so the fact that one persists
shows that there is still some area for improvement.
After the University of Minnesota study, DoD published
a document entitled "Evaluation of Licensure
Implementation Best Practices," which was provided to
members, and featured two examples of legislation
regarding occupational licensing for military spouses
from Connecticut and Washington. [DOD presents about
this]
The main difference between these and HB 28 from 2011,
is that Washington and Connecticut's versions include
and set requirements for a report that is to be
presented to their variation of a Joint Armed Services
Committee.
SB 11, the one you are hearing today is directly
modeled off these bills. Then-Rep. Kawasaki introduced
HB 262 in 2018, which passed the House unanimously and
earned bipartisan support in the Senate before it got
stalled at the end of session.
In 2017, of 13,396 Occupational License Applications,
fewer than 35 were received for the Military Spouse
Request for Expedited Application. With more than
20,000 active duty personnel in Alaska and about half
of them here with spouses, this very low number seems
to reflect a lack of communication about the program
at several levels.
As DOD notes, they found some board staff were not
even aware of this opportunity afforded by the 2011
legislation. Some boards are more aware, further along
with implementation than others.
1:53:59 PM
With fewer than 35 temporary courtesy licenses
provided that year, yet with thousands of military
spouses in the state, it seems there may be a lost
opportunity for military families to take advantage of
this program that gets them to work quickly and
contributing to the local economy.
In Fairbanks, we expect 800-1000 spouses to arrive
steadily over the next 10 years alongside more than
1400 direct employees and personnel associated with F-
35 platform. As a Senator of a district where many
will be living, we want to ensure spouses are afforded
as much information as possible about opportunities
available to them.
Simply put, by requiring the department to issue a
report on military spouse occupational licensure, SB
11 would help facilitate communication between the
boards, DCCED, Dept of Defense and military community,
and would help keep the legislature informed as to any
continual challenges or room for improvement.
It took 7 years for lack of reporting to show there
was an issue or shortcoming that could have been
provided if a reporting requirement was included in
the original bill in 2011. We appreciate the
communication by the Division of Licensing since then,
in coordination with the Dept of Defense, which we
believe was a result of introducing this legislation
last year. We hope to keep this going by passing this
bill to improve the program.
1:54:24 PM
What the Bill Does:
Report would include:
- Expedited application procedures
- Progress made for implementing regulations, changes to
regulations made to accommodate the needs of military
spouses, and any plans for future regulations
- Provide the number and type of the licenses that have
been issued
- Provide update about the Department's efforts to
inform each board authorized to issue these licenses
and how they are working with the military community
about informing military spouses they may apply for
temporary expedited occupational licenses
- The department shall annually produce and distribute
to each board authorized to issue these licenses
informational materials to improve the board's
knowledge of the licenses, the application process,
and best practices in providing applicant support.
- Encourages the designation for a single employee to
serve as Point of contact for public information and
inquires related to temporary courtesy licenses (which
from what the Dept. has said, will be dept. Director
Sarah Chambers).
Report would be submitted to JASC on or before March 1
each year, ahead of the annual meeting during session.
Department shall consolidate two most recent reports
and submit biennial report to legislature on or before
March 1 during first regular session.
1:55:46 PM
WHY JASC? JASC acts as a liaison between military
installations and the state, ensuring Alaskans are
aware of military missions while reaching out to those
who serve the nation here in Alaska. JASC members
typically represent areas of the state in or near
where military installations are located, where many
active duty service members live with their families.
The more information available to JASC members, the
better military families may be served in return by
state lawmakers.
The report would be publicly available, which would
help legislators, military community, boards and DOD
communicate and coordinate, so spouses are aware of
opportunities available to them as they relocate to
Alaska in service to the nation.
1:56:18 PM
SENATOR BIRCH thanked her for the background. He pointed out
that licensure is about public safety. He said he is supportive
of this bill. He said engineering uses reciprocity to practice
in other states. He asked who ensures the licensure has a
reciprocal jurisdiction.
1:57:14 PM
MS. COLBERT deferred the question to the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development (DCCED).
1:57:37 PM
SARA CHAMBERS, Deputy Director, Juneau Office, Division of
Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), stated
that the department supports SB 11. It will not change any of
the licensing procedures. She said that the department already
expedites military spouse licenses and has established
credentialing and reciprocity provisions for licensure for most
professions.
She said that the department continually looks for ways to
improve. For example, the department has drafted a bill it hopes
will be introduced in the next few weeks that would offer a
temporary license for all licenses. She explained that the bill
would bypass the board, which is often the holdup. She offered
her belief that this bill is a good way to hold the division
accountable.
1:59:11 PM
SENATOR BISHOP asked whether this bill relates more to
accountability and how well the department is performing.
MS. COLBERT answered yes, that is pretty much how it is framed.
1:59:28 PM
SENATOR BISHOP asked whether he knew how many reciprocity
agreements the state has with other states on occupational
licensing.
MS. CHAMBERS answered that there are very few national
reciprocity agreements, otherwise known as licensure compacts.
She said Alaska does not have any, that the state has its own
licensure by credentials that says if a licensee holds a license
in another state or jurisdiction, that Alaska will make the
requirements a little less onerous than if the person is seeking
initial licensure. She indicated that licensure compacts are
rare and the medical and nursing boards have been discussing it.
However, the legislature has not yet adopted licensure compact
legislation.
2:00:19 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO thanked the sponsor's staff. She said expedited
licensure for spouses is a great way to support our military
families. She said these professionals give back to our
communities. She asked whether she knew how much faster the
expedited licensure process will be for military spouses.
MS. CHAMBERS said that it would depend on the license type. She
indicated that it could even slow the process down since it
would treat the licensee differently. She said the department is
working on ways to streamline the process.
2:01:44 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO asked for information on the top ten licenses
in Alaska and the timeframe for license approval for each one.
MS. CHAMBERS asked whether this was from the time somebody
applies or when they complete the application.
SENATOR COSTELLO clarified that she meant from the time the
applicant contacts the department to the time they have the
license in hand.
MS. CHAMBERS offered to provide an overview to the committee
that would provide a sense of the different timelines.
2:03:03 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD remarked that she cosponsored the bill last year.
She said that her district represents Joint Base Elmendorf-
Richardson (JBER), and this is an important issue to her
constituents. She related her personal experiences living in
Norway and problems she encountered.
2:04:55 PM
SENATOR BIRCH expressed his willingness to move the bill.
2:05:27 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD opened public testimony, and after ascertaining
no one wished to testify, closed public testimony on SB 11.
SB 11 was held in committee.
2:05:48 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD reviewed the upcoming committee schedule.
2:06:30 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Reinbold adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 2:06 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| L&C Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners Resume - Johnson.pdf |
SL&C 3/12/2019 1:30:00 PM |
|
| L&C Dental Examiners - Resume Dschaak.pdf |
SL&C 3/12/2019 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to Boards and Commissions |
| L&C Dental Examiners Resume - Hronkin.pdf |
SL&C 3/12/2019 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to Boards and Commissions |
| L&C Dental Examiners Resume - Nielson.pdf |
SL&C 3/12/2019 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to Boards and Commissions |
| L&C Dental Examiners Resume - Lucas.pdf |
SL&C 3/12/2019 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to Boards and Commissions |
| SB 11 Supporting Document - Rep. Thomas Letter of Support.pdf |
SL&C 3/12/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 11 |
| SB 11 Supporting Document- Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Letter of Support.pdf |
SL&C 3/12/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 11 |