SB 99-CPA AS PRIVATE PROFESSIONAL CONSERVATORS  3:02:10 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 99 "An Act relating to private professional conservators; and providing for an effective date." 3:02:42 PM SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, District Q, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 99. He said the bill would create a second licensing path for private professional conservators, allowing licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPAs) to qualify without completing the full national guardianship certification, much of which is unrelated to conservatorship duties. 3:03:35 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 99. 3:03:59 PM LAURA BONNER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 99. She shared her experience as a guardian and co-guardian for her daughter with a disability, noting her understanding of the distinct roles of guardians and conservators. She said SB 99 would allow CPAs to be licensed as conservators without needing guardianship certification, expanding resources for those needing professional conservator services. 3:05:31 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 99. 3:06:21 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited a motion. 3:06:23 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 34- LS0527\A.2. 34-LS0527\A.2 Gunther 4/7/25 A M E N D M E N T 1 OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON TO: SB 99 Page 1, line 1, following "conservators;": Insert "amending Rule 17(e), Alaska Rules of  Probate Procedure;" Page 4, following line 7: Insert new bill sections to read:  "* Sec. 6. AS 13.26.465(g) is amended to read: (g) In addition to any other requirement of this section, [WHEN APPOINTING A RELATIVE OR FRIEND OF THE PROTECTED PERSON AS THE CONSERVATOR OF THE PROTECTED PERSON,] the court shall require that a [THE] proposed conservator complete one hour of mandatory education on the basics of conservatorship before the appointment or within 30 days after the appointment if the proposed  conservator is a  (1) relative or friend of the protected  person; or  (2) private professional conservator who  obtained a private professional conservator  license by satisfying the licensure requirement  provided under AS 08.26.030(4)(B) and has not  previously completed the mandatory education  required by the court under this subsection. [IF THE PERSON IS APPOINTED BASED ON THE PERSON'S AGREEMENT TO COMPLETE THE MANDATORY EDUCATION AND THE PERSON FAILS TO COMPLETE THE MANDATORY EDUCATION WITHIN THE 30 DAYS, THE COURT SHALL REMOVE THE CONSERVATOR AND APPOINT A SUCCESSOR.] * Sec. 7. AS 13.26.465 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (h) If a person is appointed as a conservator based on the person's agreement to complete the mandatory education within 30 days under (g) of this section and the person fails to complete the mandatory education within 30 days, the court shall remove the conservator and appoint a successor. * Sec. 8. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: DIRECT COURT RULE AMENDMENT. Rule 17(e), Alaska Rules of Probate Procedure, is amended to read: (e) Mandatory Education. A person  required to complete one hour of mandatory  education on the basics of conservatorship under  AS 13.26.465(g) [RELATIVE OR FRIEND OF THE PROTECTED PERSON WHO IS APPOINTED AS A CONSERVATOR] must complete the [ONE HOUR OF] mandatory education [ON THE BASICS OF CONSERVATORSHIP] before [THE] appointment or within 30 days after [THE] appointment as provided by AS 13.26.465(g)." Renumber the following bill section accordingly. 3:06:29 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of discussion. 3:06:34 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON read the explanation of Amendment 1: [Original punctuation provided.] 3:06:33 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON continued with explanation of Amendment 1: The court system pointed out that they offer free training online for family and friends who are appointed as non-professional conservators. This short 1-hour training course covers the basics of the laws surrounding conservators in the state of Alaska. This amendment would simply require that private professional conservators who are licensed through the CPA take this short training upon appointment with their first client. CPA's already have training to be competent conservators, but this training would ensure they know the specific laws governing conservators. This one-time, free training would make sure that all private conservators understand what laws apply to their practice. In closing, this amendment protects the person who needs a conservator, and the bill sponsor is in support of this bill. 3:07:36 PM SENATOR MYERS said the idea originated from the court system, which later informed them about the available training. He said the training is a valuable addition to SB 99, as fiduciary principles are already well understood in the CPA community. He expressed support for the amendment. 3:08:05 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN removed his objection. 3:08:08 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN found no further objection and Amendment 1 was adopted. 3:08:18 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN held SB 99, as amended, in committee.