SENATE BILL NO. 55 "An Act extending the termination date of the State Medical Board; and providing for an effective date." 9:06:46 AM Co-Chair Olson relayed that the committee had heard SB 55 th on March 7. Public testimony had been taken. Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee substitute for SB 55, Work Draft 33-LS0347\B (Bergerud, 3/25/33). Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion. 9:07:22 AM KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, discussed the proposed changes to the bill. He highlighted that the original bill had proposed an 8-year extension of the State Medical Board, and the current bill version added a 4-year extension for the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives. 9:08:22 AM KRIS CURTIS, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, ALASKA DIVISION OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, referenced the sunset review of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives (board) within the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (copy on file): Report Conclusions  Overall, the audit concludes that the board operated in the publics interest by conducting its meetings in an effective manner, by supporting statutory changes when deemed necessary, and by actively amending regulations. The audit also concludes that the board and Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCBPL) staff did not consistently certify midwives in accordance with statutes and regulations. Further, an investigation that concerned a threat to public safety was not addressed by DCBPL investigators in an efficient manner. We recommend the legislature extend the boards termination date four years, to June 30,2027, which is half of the eight-year maximum allowed in statute. The reduced extension reflects the need for more timely oversight in recognition of the audit findings and in recognition that the boards draft regulations may significantly change its licensing function. Ms. Curtis addressed licensing statistics shown on page 5 of the audit. She relayed that as of June 2022, the board had 47 certified midwives. She referenced page 7 and noted the schedule of revenues and expenditures. She listed four recommendations beginning on page 9: Recommendation 1:  DCCEDs commissioner should work with policymakers to improve the recruitment and retention of investigators. Recommendation 2:  DCCEDs commissioner should work with policymakers to improve the recruitment and retention of licensing staff, and board members should adequately review applications prior to approval. Recommendation 3:  DCBPLs director should work with the board to ensure the online licensing application is sufficient to monitor compliance with continuing education hours and that accurate regulatory references are included in the application. Recommendation 4:  The Office of the Governor, Boards and Commissions director should work with the board to identify potential applicants to fill board vacancies in a timely manner. 9:12:00 AM Co-Chair Olson asked how Ms. Curtis resolved the recommendation for a 4-year extension over an 8-year extension. Ms. Curtis reiterated that the audit recommendation was in light of the findings recorded in the audit. It was her opinion that the board needed more routine oversight. She explained that the audit was the legislative oversight mechanism for boards and commissions. Co-Chair Olson agreed with the audits recommendations. He asked whether there was an explanation as to why there was difficulty filling the board seats. Ms. Curtis replied that, due to high turnover in the governor's office, she had not received any communication regarding filling the board positions. Co-Chair Stedman WITHDREW his objection. 9:13:42 AM AT EASE 9:14:56 AM RECONVENED Co-Chair Olson noted that the CS would be before the committee as a working document. 9:15:28 AM KALI SPENCER, STAFF, SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI, testified that that sponsor agreed with the changes in the CS. She agreed to answer any questions from the committee. Senator Olson asked whether the sponsor had seen the change from the 8-year to the 4-year extension. Ms. Spencer responded in the affirmative. She stated that the sponsor had no objection to the change. 9:16:26 AM Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report CSSB 55(FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 55(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with three "do pass" recommendations and four "no recommendation" recommendations and with a forthcoming fiscal impact note from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. 9:16:47 AM AT EASE 9:19:21 AM RECONVENED