Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205

05/15/2024 10:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
-- Rescheduled from 05/14/24 --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: TELECONFERENCED
+= HB 316 EMERG WIRELESS DEVICE LOCATION DISCLOSURE TELECONFERENCED
Moved SCS HB 316(STA) Out of Committee
+= HB 330 PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/RATES TELECONFERENCED
Moved SCS HB 330(STA) Out of Committee
+= HB 362 PRISONER MED CARE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT TELECONFERENCED
Moved HB 362 Out of Committee
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
            SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                           
                          May 15, 2024                                                                                          
                           10:23 a.m.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Scott Kawasaki, Chair                                                                                                   
Senator Jesse Bjorkman                                                                                                          
Senator Kelly Merrick                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                              
Senator Matt Claman, Vice Chair                                                                                                 
Senator Bill Wielechowski                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 316(STA) AM                                                                                                                
"An Act relating to law enforcement requests for wireless device                                                                
location information in emergencies; and providing for an                                                                       
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED SCS CSHB 316(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE -                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 330 am                                                                                                           
"An Act relating to the  use and possession of electronic devices                                                               
by   prisoners;  relating   to  fees   charged  by   correctional                                                               
facilities;  and relating  to  Department  of Corrections  vendor                                                               
contracts."                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED SCS HB 330(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE -                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 362                                                                                                                          
"An Act relating to the reimbursement rate for prisoner medical                                                                 
care.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED HB 362 OUT OF COMMITTEE -                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 316                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: EMERG WIRELESS DEVICE LOCATION DISCLOSURE                                                                          
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVES C.JOHNSON, Allard, Carrick                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
02/20/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/20/24       (H)       STA                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
02/09/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/09/24       (H)       STA                                                                                                    
02/27/24       (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
02/27/24       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/05/24       (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
03/05/24       (H)       Moved CSHB 316(STA) Out of Committee                                                                   
03/06/24       (H)       STA RPT CS(STA) NEW TITLE 7DP                                                                          
03/06/24       (H)       DP:   WRIGHT,    CARPENTER,   C.JOHNSON,                                                               
                         ALLARD, CARRICK, STORY, SHAW                                                                           
03/06/24       (H)       FN1: ZERO(DPS)                                                                                         
03/13/24       (H)       RULES TO CALENDAR 3/13/2024                                                                            
03/13/24       (H)       HELD TO 3/14 CALENDAR                                                                                  
03/13/24       (H)       COSPONSOR(S): ALLARD, CARRICK                                                                          
03/14/24       (H)       READ THE SECOND TIME                                                                                   
03/14/24       (H)       STA CS ADOPTED UC                                                                                      
03/14/24       (H)       AM NO 1 ADOPTED Y39 E1                                                                                 
03/14/24       (H)       AM NO 2 ADOPTED UC                                                                                     
03/14/24       (H)       AM NO 3 ADOPTED Y22 N17 E1                                                                             
03/14/24       (H)       HELD IN SECOND READING TO 3/18 CALENDAR                                                                
03/18/24       (H)       MOVED TO BOTTOM OF CALENDAR                                                                            
03/18/24       (H)       HELD TO 3/20 CALENDAR                                                                                  
03/20/24       (H)       BEFORE HOUSE IN SECOND READING                                                                         
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 4 FAILED Y13 N27                                                                                 
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 5 FAILED Y17 N23                                                                                 
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 6 FAILED Y3 N37                                                                                  
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 7 OFFERED                                                                                        
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 7 NOT TABLED Y20 N20                                                                             
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 7 WITHDRAWN                                                                                      
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 8 FAILED Y3 N37                                                                                  
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 9 FAILED Y4 N36                                                                                  
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 10 NOT OFFERED                                                                                   
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 11 OFFERED AND WITHDRAWN                                                                         
03/20/24       (H)       AM NOS 12, 13, 14, AND 15 NOT OFFERED                                                                  
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 16 OFFERED                                                                                       
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 16 MOTION TO WITHDRAW FAILED Y16                                                                 
                         N24                                                                                                    
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 16 FAILED Y1 N39                                                                                 
03/20/24       (H)       AM NOS 17, 18, AND 19 NOT OFFERED                                                                      
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 20 ADOPTED Y32 N8                                                                                
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 21 ADOPTED Y39 N1                                                                                
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 13 FAILED Y12 N28                                                                                
03/20/24       (H)       AM NO 15 FAILED Y2 N38                                                                                 
03/20/24       (H)       ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 3/21 CALENDAR                                                                
03/21/24       (H)       READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 316(STA) AM                                                                   
03/21/24       (H)       PASSED Y38 N1 A1                                                                                       
03/21/24       (H)       EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE                                                                      
03/21/24       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
03/21/24       (H)       VERSION: CSHB 316(STA) AM                                                                              
03/22/24       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/22/24       (S)       STA                                                                                                    
04/30/24       (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105                                                                    
                         (TSBldg)                                                                                               
04/30/24       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
05/14/24       (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105                                                                    
                         (TSBldg)                                                                                               
05/14/24       (S)       -- Rescheduled to 05/15/24 at 10 AM --                                                                 
05/15/24       (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 10:00 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 330                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/RATES                                                                          
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVES VANCE                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2/15/24        (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
2/15/24        (H)       STA                                                                                                    
3/26/24        (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
3/26/24        (H)       -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- --                                                                   
                         MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                    
3/27/24        (H)       OSPONSOR(S): HIMSCHOOT                                                                                 
4/2/24         (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
4/2/24         (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
4/2/24         (H)       Minutes (HSTA)                                                                                         
4/16/24        (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
4/16/24        (H)       Moved HB 330 Out of Committee                                                                          
4/16/24        (H)       Minutes (HSTA)                                                                                         
4/18/24        (H)       STA RPT 4DP 1DNP 1NR                                                                                   
4/18/24        (H)       DP: STORY, WRIGHT, CARPENTER, SHAW                                                                     
4/18/24        (H)       DNP: ALLARD                                                                                            
4/18/24        (H)       NR: C.JOHNSON                                                                                          
4/18/24        (H)       FN1: ZERO(COR)                                                                                         
5/1/24         (H)       RULES TO CALENDAR 5/1/2024                                                                             
5/1/24         (H)       READ THE SECOND TIME                                                                                   
5/1/24         (H)       AM NO 1 ADOPTED Y39 A1                                                                                 
5/1/24         (H)       ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION                                                                        
5/1/24         (H)       AM NO 2 ADOPTED UC                                                                                     
5/1/24         (H)       AM NO 3 FAILED Y1 N38 A1                                                                               
5/1/24         (H)       AM NO 4 OFFERED AND WITHDRAWN                                                                          
5/1/24         (H)       AM NO 5 ADOPTED Y27 N13                                                                                
5/1/24         (H)       AM NO 6 OFFERED AND WITHDRAWN                                                                          
5/1/24         (H)       ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/2 CALENDAR                                                                 
5/1/24         (H)       COSPONSOR(S): MCCORMICK, STORY, GALVIN,                                                                
                         JOSEPHSON                                                                                              
5/2/24         (H)       READ THE THIRD TIME HB 330 AM                                                                          
5/2/24         (H)       PASSED Y33 N7                                                                                          
5/2/24         (H)       COSPONSOR(S): MINA                                                                                     
5/2/24         (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
5/2/24         (H)       VERSION: HB 330 AM                                                                                     
5/3/24         (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
5/3/24         (S)       STA                                                                                                    
5/3/24         (S)       CROSS    SPONSOR(S):    MYERS,    TOBIN,                                                               
                         KAWASAKI, KIEHL, GRAY-JACKSON, DUNBAR                                                                  
5/7/24         (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105                                                                    
                         (TSBldg)                                                                                               
5/7/24         (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
5/11/24        (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105                                                                    
                         (TSBldg)                                                                                               
5/11/24        (S)       Scheduled but Not Heard                                                                                
5/14/24        (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105                                                                    
                         (TSBldg)                                                                                               
5/14/24        (S)       -- Rescheduled to 05/15/24 at 10 AM -                                                                  
5/15/24        (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 10:00 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 362                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: PRISONER MED CARE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT                                                                           
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE PRAX                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
02/20/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/20/24       (H)       STA                                                                                                    
04/9/24        (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
04/9/24        (H)       -- Rescheduled to 04/11/24 --                                                                          
04/11/24       (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
04/11/24       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
04/16/24       (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
04/16/24       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/30/24       (H)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                
04/30/24       (H)       Moved HB 362 Out of Committee                                                                          
05/1/24        (H)       STA RPT 2DP 4NR                                                                                        
05/1/24        (H)       DP: WRIGHT, SHAW                                                                                       
05/1/24        (H)       NR: C.JOHNSON, CARPENTER, ALLARD, STORY                                                                
05/1/24        (H)       FN1: INDETERMINATE(COR)                                                                                
05/8/24        (H)       RULES TO CALENDAR 5/8/2024                                                                             
05/8/24        (H)       READ THE SECOND TIME                                                                                   
05/8/24        (H)       ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC                                                                           
05/8/24        (H)       READ THE THIRD TIME HB 362                                                                             
05/8/24        (H)       PASSED Y36 N3 A1                                                                                       
05/8/24        (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
05/8/24        (H)       VERSION: HB 362                                                                                        
05/9/24        (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
05/9/24        (S)       STA, FIN                                                                                               
05/11/24       (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105                                                                    
                         (TSBldg)                                                                                               
05/11/24       (S)       Scheduled but Not Heard                                                                                
05/14/24       (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105                                                                    
                         (TSBldg)                                                                                               
05/14/24       (S)       -- Rescheduled to 05/15/24 at 10 AM --                                                                 
05/15/24       (S)       STATE AFFAIRS at 10:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
JOE HAYES, Staff                                                                                                                
Senator Scott Kawasaki                                                                                                          
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the explanation of changes from                                                                 
Version S.A to U for HB 316.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RILEY VON BORSTEL, Staff                                                                                                        
Senator Scott Kawasaki                                                                                                          
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the explanation of changes from                                                                 
Version H.A to P for HB 330.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROBERT BALLINGER, Staff                                                                                                         
Representative Vance                                                                                                            
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on HB 330                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
DON HABEGER, Coalition Coordinator                                                                                              
Juneau Reentry Coalition                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 330.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MARGARET ELLIOT, Staff                                                                                                          
Representative Mike Prax                                                                                                        
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 362 on behalf of the sponsor.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:23:53 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR SCOTT KAWASAKI called the Senate State Affairs Standing                                                                 
Committee meeting to order at 10:23 a.m. Present at the call to                                                                 
order were Senators Bjorkman, Merrick, and Chair Kawasaki.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
        HB 316-EMERG WIRELESS DEVICE LOCATION DISCLOSURE                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:24:38 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced  the consideration of CS  FOR HOUSE BILL                                                               
NO. 316(STA)  am, "An  Act relating  to law  enforcement requests                                                               
for  wireless device  location  information  in emergencies;  and                                                               
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
10:24:48 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited a motion.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:24:51 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR MERRICK  moved to adopt  the Senate  committee substitute                                                               
(SCS)  for  CSHB 316,  work  order  33-LS1235\U, as  the  working                                                               
document.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:25:03 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:25:13 AM                                                                                                                   
JOE   HAYES,  Staff,   Senator  Scott   Kawasaki,  Alaska   State                                                               
Legislature,  Juneau,   Alaska,  presented  the   explanation  of                                                               
changes from Version S.A to U for HB 316.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
           HB 316 Version S.A to CS HB 316 Version U                                                                          
                       Summary of Changes                                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
        "An Act relating to law enforcement requests for                                                                        
      wireless device location information in emergencies;                                                                      
             and providing for an effective date."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 26, after use, adds "and dissemination"                                                                       
     Adding   "dissemination"   to    "use"   when   setting                                                                    
     reasonable limits regarding the  location of a wireless                                                                    
     device will better ensure  that various concerns (i.e.,                                                                    
     the  location  of an  adult  who  may  not want  to  be                                                                    
     located)   are  considered   during  the   department's                                                                    
     regulation development process.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Of particular  concern is the  potential that  an adult                                                                    
     may be located  in a domestic violence  shelter and may                                                                    
     not want their location disclosed.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:25:50 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR  KAWASAKI  removed  his  objection;  he  found  no  further                                                               
objection and SCS CSHB 316 was adopted.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:26:13 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened invited and public testimony on HB 316.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
10:26:28 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:26:43 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:26:45 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  MERRICK moved  to report  SCS CSHB  316, work  order 33-                                                               
LS1235\U,  from  committee  with individual  recommendations  and                                                               
attached fiscal note(s).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:26:56 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR  KAWASAKI found  no  objection and  SCS  CSHB 316(STA)  was                                                               
reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
        HB 330-PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/RATES                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:27:15 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration  of HOUSE BILL NO. 330                                                               
am  "An Act  relating to  the  use and  possession of  electronic                                                               
devices  by prisoners;  and  relating  to prisoner  communication                                                               
reimbursement rates."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:27:31 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited a motion.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:27:34 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR MERRICK  moved to adopt  the Senate  committee substitute                                                               
(SCS)  for  HB  330,  work  order  33-LS0761\P,  as  the  working                                                               
document.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:27:42 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:27:55 AM                                                                                                                   
RILEY VON  BORSTEL, Staff, Senator  Scott Kawasaki,  Alaska State                                                               
Legislature,  Juneau,   Alaska,  presented  the   explanation  of                                                               
changes from Version H.A to P for HB 330:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
              CS HB 330 Version H.A. to Version P                                                                             
                       Summary of Changes                                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
         "An Act relating to the use and possession of                                                                          
        electronic devices by prisoners; and relating to                                                                        
          prisoner communication reimbursement rates."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
        • Deletes: "allow a state correctional facility                                                                         
          operated  by  the  state  to   charge  a  fee  for                                                                    
          electronic    mail   or    electronic   visitation                                                                    
          services." (Page 3, Lines 21-22 v. H.A)                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
        • Inserts: "allow a state correctional facility                                                                         
          operated  by  the  state  to   charge  a  fee  for                                                                    
          services offered  on an electronic tablet  used by                                                                    
          an inmate or a  non-incarcerated person outside of                                                                    
          the facility." (Page 3, Lines 22-24 v. P)                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
        • Deletes: "The commissioner may not set the rate                                                                       
          of  reimbursement for  the use  of a  telephone, a                                                                    
          form  of digital  correctional,  or an  electronic                                                                    
          visitation service  by a prisoner  at a  rate that                                                                    
          exceeds that  exceeds the cost of  service." (Page                                                                    
          3, Lines 24-26 v. H.A)                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
        • Inserts: "The department may enter into a                                                                             
          contract with a  for-profit technology vendor only                                                                    
          if  the contract  is determined  necessary by  the                                                                    
          commissioner.  A contract  between the  department                                                                    
          and a  for-profit technology vendor may  not grant                                                                    
          the  vendor sole  authority  to  determine when  a                                                                    
          contract terminates and when  or how open a device                                                                    
          is replaced." (Page 3, Lines 26-30 v. P)                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:29:35 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI removed his objection; he found no further                                                                       
objection and SCS HB 330 was adopted.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:29:46 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced invited testimony on HB 330.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:30:09 AM                                                                                                                   
ROBERT  BALLINGER,  Staff,  Representative  Vance,  Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau,  Alaska, thanked  the committee  for hearing                                                               
HB 330 and said he was available to answer questions.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:30:23 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on HB 330.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
10:30:39 AM                                                                                                                   
DON  HABEGER, Coalition  Coordinator,  Juneau Reentry  Coalition,                                                               
Juneau,  Alaska, testified  in support  of HB  330. He  expressed                                                               
gratitude for  the work done  on HB 330  and for support  of this                                                               
legislation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:31:13 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony HB 330.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
10:31:15 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:31:19 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  MERRICK moved  to  report  SCS HB  330,  work order  33-                                                               
LS0761\P,  from  committee  with individual  recommendations  and                                                               
attached fiscal note(s).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:31:30 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR  KAWASAKI  found  no  objection and  SCS  HB  330(STA)  was                                                               
reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
        HB 362-PRISONER MED CARE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
10:31:49 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 362                                                                
"An Act relating  to the reimbursement rate  for prisoner medical                                                               
care."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:32:00 AM                                                                                                                   
MARGARET ELLIOT,  Staff, Representative  Mike Prax,  Alaska State                                                               
Legislature,  Juneau, Alaska,  paraphrased the  sponsor statement                                                               
for HB 362:                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                             HB 362                                                                                           
                       Sponsor Statement                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
         "An Act relating to the reimbursement rate for                                                                         
                    prisoner medical care."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     HB362  proposes  to  set  the  reimbursement  rate  for                                                                    
     prisoner  medical  care costs  in  Alaska  at the  rate                                                                    
     established  under federal  law, 42  U.S.C 1396-1396w-7                                                                    
     (Title XIX,  Social Act),  thus presenting  a strategic                                                                    
     approach   to  address   the   ever-growing  costs   of                                                                    
     healthcare in our prisons.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     By  establishing  the  reimbursement rates  with  those                                                                    
     under Title XIX  of the Social Act, we  can expect cost                                                                    
     savings. This alignment  ensures cost-effectiveness and                                                                    
     brings  predictability to  the budgeting  processes. In                                                                    
     addition,  the provision  allowing the  commissioner to                                                                    
     negotiate   contracts    for   higher    rates   allows                                                                    
     flexibility when needed.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     HB362  presents a  balanced and  strategic approach  to                                                                    
     managing  healthcare costs  in  prisons while  ensuring                                                                    
     the provision of  necessary care. It is  a step towards                                                                    
     a  more  sustainable  and effective  healthcare  system                                                                    
     within our prisons.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:33:10 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened invited and public testimony on HB 362.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
10:33:33 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:33:40 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:33:44 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR MERRICK moved to report HB 362, work order 33-LS1387\A,                                                                 
from committee with individual recommendations and attached                                                                     
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:34:02 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and HB 362 was reported from                                                                  
the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:34:25 AM                                                                                                                   
There being no further business to come before the committee,                                                                   
Chair Kawasaki adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing                                                                      
Committee meeting at 10:34 p.m.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects