HB 204-OVERTIME PAY EXEMPTION  3:44:30 PM CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 204 "An Act exempting certain employees from overtime pay requirements; and providing for an effective date." 3:44:42 PM CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 204. 3:44:56 PM BRIAN BERG, Vice President of Operations, HCA Healthcare, testified during the hearing on HB 204. He said the bill seeks to expand the voluntary flexible work hours plan to allow nurses to work a 12-hour shift by choice. He noted that 10-hour shifts are already available to nurses in many other healthcare settings, and the goal is to expand it to 12. 3:46:12 PM SHANNON DAVENPORT, President, Alaska Nursing Association, testified in opposition to HB 204. She said she currently works a 40-hour workweek at 8 hours per day, which allows her more flexibility and a better work/life balance to spend time with family. She said the problem arises when surgeries are scheduled, which only covers 8 hours, and the nurses are assigned to a 12-hour shift. In these instances, nurses must use their own paid time off (PTO) to get paid for the extra 4 hours. Another aspect is that unless a 12-hour contract is signed, nurses lose their job, she said. She added that hospice nurses often work much longer than 12-hour shifts. She maintained her strong opposition to HB 204. 3:48:32 PM CHAIR SUMNER closed public testimony and announced that HB 204 would be held over.