Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/31/2021 05:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
EQUALALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 31, 2021
5:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mia Costello, Chair
Senator Roger Holland, Vice Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson (via teleconference)
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Joshua Revak
Senator Gary Stevens
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Lake Williams - Fairbanks
Robert Weel - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Veterinary Examiners
Scott Flamme - Fairbanks
Hal Geiger - Juneau
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Nathan Missler - Anchorage
Lisa Radley - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board of Nursing
Wendy Monrad - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Professional Counselors
Eleanor Vinson - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Marijuana Control Board
Bruce Schulte - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Real Estate Commission
Elizabeth Schok - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
HAL GEIGER, Appointee
Board of Veterinary Examiners
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Veterinary Examiners.
LAKE WILLIAMS, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board.
ROBERT WEEL, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board.
ELEANOR VINSON, Appointee
Board of Professional Counselors
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Professional Counselors.
NATHAN MISSLER, Appointee
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Physical
Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board.
WENDY MONRAD, Appointee
Board of Nursing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Nursing.
SCOTT FLAMME, Appointee
Board of Veterinary Examiners
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Veterinary Examiners.
BRUCE SCHULTE, Appointee
Marijuana Control Board
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Marijuana
Control Board.
LACY WILCOX, President
Board of Directors
Alaska Marijuana Industry Association
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Bruce Schulte,
appointee to the Marijuana Control Board.
ELIZABETH SCHOK, Appointee
Real Estate Commission
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Real Estate
Commission.
LISA RADLEY, Appointee
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Physical
Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board.
ACTION NARRATIVE
5:30:24 PM
CHAIR MIA COSTELLO called the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Holland, Gray-Jackson (via teleconference)
and Chair Costello.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Board of Veterinary Examiners
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Board of Nursing
Board of Pharmacy
Board of Professional Counselors
Marijuana Control Board
Real Estate Commission
5:31:05 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of the Governor's
Appointees to boards and commissions.
5:31:51 PM
HAL GEIGER, Appointee, Board of Veterinary Examiners, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Juneau, Alaska,
stated that he retired from the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game (ADF&G) where he worked in various positions, including as
chief biometrician. During his time at ADF&G, he became familiar
with the Board of Fisheries' process. He said he feels the Board
of Veterinary Examiners is a good fit for his skill set and
interests. His technical background was helpful during his first
term serving on the board, he said. He would like to continue to
serve on the board.
5:33:24 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on the confirmation of
Hal Geiger; finding none, she closed public testimony.
She asked him to talk about the board's main challenges in the
coming year.
MR. GEIGER answered that the Board of Veterinary Examiners has
experienced significant difficulty with the Prescription Drug
Monitoring Program (PDMP). The board has spent considerable time
evaluating ways to make it workable and for ways to handle
disciplinary actions.
CHAIR COSTELLO related her understanding that a bill currently
before the legislature would exempt veterinarians from PDMP
requirements.
5:34:47 PM
LAKE WILLIAMS, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
(AWCB), Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD),
Fairbanks, Alaska, stated he is reapplying to serve on the
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board (AWCB). He related he was
originally appointed in 2014 by Governor Parnell, was
reappointed by Governor Walker and is applying for his third
term. He is a lifelong Alaskan and apprenticed with the
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 [Local 302]
after high school, he said. After graduating from the University
of Iowa, he returned to work for Local 302, working his way
through the ranks to become the district representative. He
would like to use his skills to improve the work environment for
workers and employers in Alaska. His overarching goal is to
improve the Workers' Compensation System.
5:37:29 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony and after first
determining no one wished to testify, closed public testimony on
the confirmation hearing for Lake Williams.
5:37:51 PM
ROBERT WEEL, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD),
Anchorage, Alaska, said Governor Frank Murkowski initially
appointed him to serve on the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
(AWCB). He has enjoyed serving on the board the past 15 years,
he said. He related his goal is to assist employers and injured
workers. He would like to continue to serve another three years
on the board.
5:39:35 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on the confirmation of
Robert Weel; finding none, she closed public testimony.
5:40:06 PM
ELEANOR VINSON, Appointee, Board of Professional Counselors,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development,
Juneau, Alaska, stated that she was seeking reappointment to the
Board of Professional Counselors. She retired from DCCED's
Division of Occupational Licensing several years ago and would
like to use the knowledge she gained working for various
occupational licensing boards to continue to assist the Board of
Professional Counselors.
5:41:39 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony the confirmation of
Eleanor Vinson; finding none, she closed public testimony.
5:42:09 PM
NATHAN MISSLER, Appointee, Physical Therapy & Occupational
Therapy Board, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development, Anchorage, Alaska, said he has worked as an
occupational therapist for five years. He would like to serve on
the board to assist the physical therapy and occupational
therapy community keep current on issues such as telehealth and
continuing education.
5:43:08 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on the confirmation of
Nathan Missler; finding none, she closed public testimony.
5:43:28 PM
WENDY MONRAD, Appointee, Board of Nursing, Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Anchorage, Alaska,
said she has worked as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
(CRNA) for 30 years. She has worked at the Alaska Native Medical
Center for 15 years. She has served on the board since March
2019, including during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Because of
COVID-19, the board held extra board meetings to strategize how
to keep Alaskans safe. The board has streamlined and refined its
regulations to better assist nurses. She would like to continue
to serve for a second term on the board.
5:45:46 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO related her understanding that nurse license
renewals were waived during COVID-19 and now all nursing
licenses need to be renewed. She asked her how the board is
managing this.
MS. MONRAD responded that the Board of Nursing staff has done an
excellent job working with nurses, including obtaining
verification of continuing education for license renewals. She
explained that the board has made significant changes to
streamline its on-line renewal process. The board still
struggles to provide license renewals for advanced practice
licensees and PDMP, but she believes the overall renewal process
is going well. She noted it can be challenging for staff to work
remotely.
CHAIR COSTELLO advised that the committee passed out a bill
earlier today to address temporary licensure.
5:48:13 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked her for her willingness to serve.
She asked if she was confirmed in 2019 to serve on the Board of
Nursing.
MS. MONRAD answered yes. She stated that she finished the last
year of her predecessor's term.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked for the Board of Nursing's mission.
MS. MONRAD answered that the Board of Nursing protects Alaskans
by providing safe and effective standards of nursing care.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked for the biggest challenges the board
faces.
MS. MONRAD answered that telehealth and ongoing regulations are
challenging issues for the board. The sunset audit identified
regulations for telehealth as an area to address. She noted that
a bill is before the legislature to further address telehealth.
She related that the Board of Nursing has adopted regulations
for telehealth, but some may need to be revised to address any
changes in statute. The Board of Nursing will continue its work
on COVID-19 issues, she said.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked her for her service on the board.
5:50:47 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO remarked that besides the temporary licensure
bill, this committee also introduced a telehealth bill. Both
bills resulted from the Governor's Disaster Declaration. The
legislature has been evaluating how bords have been operating
and if the legislature should make its laws more flexible.
5:51:48 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND said he was unsure if he has ever met anyone who
has worked for the U.S. Public Health Services. He thanked her
for her service.
5:52:16 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on the confirmation of
Wendy Monrad; finding none, she closed public testimony.
5:52:49 PM
SCOTT FLAMME, Appointee, Board of Veterinary Examiners,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development,
Fairbanks, Alaska, said he has served on the board for 18
months. He has operated a veterinary practice for 18 years in
Fairbanks. He expressed an interest in better understanding the
legislative process and PDMP involvement. He would like to
continue to use his veterinary and computer background
perspectives on the board. He acknowledged that PDMP has been a
challenging and complicated issue for the board.
5:55:22 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND asked him to identify the acronym PDMP.
CHAIR COSTELLO explained that PDMP refers to the Prescription
Drug Management Program passed by the legislature. She explained
that veterinarians were included in the program. She asked how
onerous the database is and if veterinarians must post daily
entries to the database.
MR. FLAMME said that PDMP is onerous. He explained that
prescribers must report controlled substances on a daily basis
under the pet owner's name since a database for animals
receiving the drugs does not exist. This allows the prescribers
to query the database for drugs prescribed to owners. If
controlled substances are prescribed at a local pharmacy, the
veterinarian must query the database, then prescribe medication
for three days or less. For example, phenobarbital is a common
drug prescribed for animals. Veterinarians must query the
owner's name prior to prescribing the drugs.
5:58:13 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO related for understanding that one issue that
has arisen is the pet owners' privacy. For example, clinic staff
using the database can see the list of prescriptions owners were
prescribed.
MR. FLAMME agreed that represents one aspect. He related that
minute quantities of controlled substances such as hydrocodone,
commonly used to treat dogs with coughs, require a paper script.
This requires pet owners to first come to the clinic, then go to
the pharmacy to get them filled. This is particularly burdensome
for senior pet owners with mobility issues in subzero weather,
which could be much worse in villages. PDMP does not make sense,
he said. The majority of Lower-48 states exempt veterinarians
from PDMP. In addition, veterinarians were never trained to use
the database. Alaska only has about 300 practitioners to spread
the costs of an elaborate program. Further, drug enforcement
officer investigations have shown that veterinarians are not
diverting controlled substances. Instead, the diversion issue
stems from drugs brought in from south of the US border. He said
he hopes the bill to exempt veterinarians from PDMP will pass.
6:01:58 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO, after first determining no one wished to
testify, closed public testimony on the confirmation hearing for
Scott Flamme.
6:02:42 PM
BRUCE SCHULTE, Appointee, Marijuana Control Board, Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Anchorage, Alaska,
said this is his second appointment to the board. He was
initially appointed to the board at the inception of Alaska's
marijuana industry. His early involvement in developing
regulations for the industry gives him a unique perspective of
the industry. He said he would like to continue to serve on the
board.
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony.
6:04:09 PM
LACY WILCOX, President, Board of Directors, Alaska Marijuana
Industry Association (AMIA), Juneau, Alaska, stated that AMIA
pleased to support Bruce Schulte to serve in the public/industry
seat. She said that he served as one of the founders of AMIA. He
provides a common-sense approach to the issues facing marijuana
business, she said.
6:05:46 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO closed public testimony on the confirmation of
Bruce Schulte after determining no one else wished to comment.
6:06:07 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked him for serving. She said she
served on the Anchorage Assembly when the marijuana industry was
being formed. She said she appreciated the expertise he brings
to the board.
6:06:52 PM
ELIZABETH SCHOK, Appointee, Real Estate Commission, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Anchorage,
Alaska, stated that she has been a real estate licensee for 16
years and now has her associate broker license. She has been
involved in the local, state, and national real estate
associations, including as an office holder. She related her
interest in serving is to bring her experience to the board to
help improve business practices, to ensure that consumers
understand the real estate industry, so their home-buying
experience is better, and to ensure that licensees conduct
themselves with integrity. She mentioned changes in the industry
and suggested that more education is needed and the consumer
disclosure should be updated.
6:09:45 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on the confirmation of
Elizabeth Schok; finding none, she closed public testimony.
6:10:17 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND 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:
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Lake Williams - Fairbanks
Robert Weel - Anchorage
Board of Veterinary Examiners
Scott Flamme - Fairbanks
Hal Geiger - Juneau
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Nathan Missler - Anchorage
Board of Nursing
Wendy Monrad - Anchorage
Board of Professional Counselors
Eleanor Vinson - Juneau
Marijuana Control Board
Bruce Schulte - Anchorage
Real Estate Commission
Elizabeth Schok - Anchorage
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.
6:11:13 PM
[The moderator indicated that Lisa Radley, an appointee to the
Board of Nursing wished to testify.]
6:11:16 PM
At ease
6:11:36 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting.
6:12:11 PM
LISA RADLEY, Appointee, Physical Therapy and Occupational
Therapy Board, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development, Fairbanks, Alaska, stated she has worked as a
physical therapist in Alaska for three years. She said she has
served on the board since March 2020. She was appointed to the
board in March 2020 and would like to continue to serve to help
maintain the integrity of the profession and maximize access to
care for patients.
6:12:45 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO asked what challenges the board faces this year
because of COVID-19.
6:12:56 PM
MS. RADLEY responded that the board is currently working on
statutes and regulations related to telemedicine to help clarify
those questions.
6:13:38 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO, after first determining no one wished to
testify, closed public testimony on Lisa Radley.
6:13:57 PM
At ease
6:14:12 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting.
6:14:16 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee reviewed the
following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint
session for consideration:
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Lisa Radley - Anchorage
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.
6:14:51 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Costello adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 6:14 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SLAC GOV Appointee Lake Williams Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE WCB LAKE WILLIAMS |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Robert Weel Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE WCB ROBERT WEEL |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Scott Flamme Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE VE SCOTT FLAMME |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Hal Geiger Resume Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE VE HAL GEIGER |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Nathan Missler Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE PTOT NATHAN MISSLER |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Lisa Radley Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE PTOT LISA RADLEY |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Lisa Radley Resume Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE PTOT LISA RADLEY |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Wendy Monrad Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE BN WENDY MONRAD |
| SLAC Gov Appointee Wendy Monrad Personal Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE BN WENDY MONRAD |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Tammy Lindemuth Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE BP TAMMY LINDEMUTH |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Eleanor Vinson Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE PC ELEANOR VINSON |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Bruce Schulte Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE MCB BRUCE SCHULTE |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Elizabeth Schok Board Application Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE REC ELIZABETH SCHOK |
| SLAC GOV Appointee Elizabeth Schok Resume Redacted.pdf |
SL&C 3/31/2021 5:30:00 PM |
SLAC GOV APPOINTEE REC ELIZABETH SCHOK |