ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
May 5, 2023
2:57 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Zack Fields
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Stanley Wright
Representative Jesse Sumner, Chair
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Will Stapp
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 166
"An Act relating to firefighting substances; and providing for
an effective date."
- MOVED HB 166 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 137
"An Act relating to an interstate physical therapy licensure
compact; relating to the licensure of physical therapists,
physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and
occupational therapy assistants; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 138
"An Act relating to an audiology and speech-language interstate
compact; relating to the practice of audiology and the practice
of speech-language pathology; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 145
"An Act relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or less;
relating to deferred deposit advances; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 123
"An Act relating to commercial motor vehicle drivers' license
requirements; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING RESCHEDULED to 5/8/23
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 166
SHORT TITLE: PFAS: USE FOR FIREFIGHTING, DISPOSAL
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STAPP
04/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/19/23 (H) L&C, FIN
04/28/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/28/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/28/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/05/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 137
SHORT TITLE: PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) WRIGHT
03/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/27/23 (H) L&C, FIN
04/21/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/21/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/24/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/24/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/24/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/05/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 138
SHORT TITLE: AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) WRIGHT
03/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/27/23 (H) L&C, FIN
04/21/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/21/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/24/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/24/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/24/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/05/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 145
SHORT TITLE: LOANS UNDER $25,000; PAYDAY LOANS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) WRIGHT
03/29/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/29/23 (H) L&C
04/14/23 (H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER L&C
04/14/23 (H) BILL REPRINTED
04/14/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/14/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/14/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/19/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/19/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/21/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/21/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/21/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/03/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/03/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 05/05/23>
05/05/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
CLIFTON COGHILL, Staff
Representative Will Stapp
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of the prime sponsor,
Representative Stapp, gave a brief overview of HB 166.
DAVID PRUHS, Mayor
City of Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 166.
PATRICE LEE, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 166.
SCOTT RAYGOR, Chief
Fairbanks Fire Department
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 166.
RACHAEL GUNN, Staff
Representative Stanley Wright
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of the prime sponsor,
Representative Wright, gave a brief recap of HB 137 and HB 138.
ERICK CORDERO GIORGANA, Vice President
Operations
Alaska Policy Forum
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 137.
ALEC KAY, President
Alaska Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 137.
MARGE STONEKING, Lobbyist
AARP Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 137.
DAVID JAMISON, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 138.
ANDREA TOTH, President
Alaska Speech and Hearing Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 138.
PI RIORDAN-RANDALL, Staff
Representative Stanley Wright
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of the prime sponsor,
Representative Wright, gave a summary of changes for the
proposed committee substitute for HB 145.
ROBERT SCHMIDT, Director
Alaska Division of Banking and Securities
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
145.
TRACY RENO, Chief of Examinations
Alaska Division of Banking and Securities
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
145.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:15:21 PM
VICE CHAIR JUSTIN RUFFRIDGE called the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.
Representatives Saddler, Prax, Carrick, Fields, and Ruffridge
were present at the call to order.
HB 166-PFAS: USE FOR FIREFIGHTING, DISPOSAL
3:16:20 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 166, "An Act relating to firefighting
substances; and providing for an effective date."
3:16:38 PM
CLIFTON COGHILL, Staff, Representative Will Stapp, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of the prime sponsor, Representative
Stapp, gave a brief overview of HB 166. He said that
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been
found to be hazardous materials, and HB 166 would restrict the
usage of PFAS, except to the oil and gas industry. The proposed
bill would also require the state to retrieve some PFAS
containing foam for disposal.
3:17:41 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on HB 166.
3:18:06 PM
DAVID PRUHS, Mayor, City of Fairbanks, stated that he supports
the bill, as it would provide a stopgap measure for fighting
certain types of fires while moving away from harmful PFAS
containing foams. He said that the stopgap would prevent
Fairbanks from having to spend more on new firefighting
equipment amidst a tight budget.
3:19:41 PM
PATRICE LEE, representing self, expressed support for the bill
because it would address future contamination from PFAS.
3:21:00 PM
SCOTT RAYGOR, Chief, Fairbanks Fire Department, expressed
support for HB 166. He said that Fairbanks has spent millions
of dollars connecting residences to city water because of PFAS
contamination. He suggested that this would be a good first
step in eliminating "forever chemicals." He expressed some
concern in the section of the bill which addresses forest
firefighting materials.
3:23:14 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE, after ascertaining there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 166.
3:23:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to report HB 166 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 166 was reported out of the
House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
3:23:51 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:23 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.
HB 137-PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
HB 138-AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT
3:25:40 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 137, "An Act relating to an interstate
physical therapy licensure compact; relating to the licensure of
physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational
therapists, and occupational therapy assistants; and providing
for an effective date." and "An Act relating to an audiology and
speech-language interstate compact; relating to the practice of
audiology and the practice of speech-language pathology; and
providing for an effective date."
3:26:00 PM
RACHAEL GUNN, Staff, Representative Stanley Wright, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Wright, prime sponsor,
stated that HB 137 would bring Alaska in the Physical Therapist
Licensure Compact. She addressed HB 138 [which was heard during
the meeting at 3:35 p.m.], on behalf of the prime sponsor,
Representative Wright. She stated that HB 138 would bring the
state into the Audiologist and Speech Language Therapist
Compact.
3:26:37 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on HB 137 [and HB
138].
3:26:56 PM
ERICK CORDERO GIORGANA, Vice President, Operations, Alaska
Policy Forum (APF), stated that APF supports both HB 137 and HB
138 because these proposed bills would increase the
opportunities for professionals in these fields. He explained
that licensure compacts reduce barriers caused by the
differences in requirements from state to state. He argued that
these compacts would ultimately attract more professionals to
Alaska.
3:29:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS expressed concern about APF's support for
the proposed legislation; however, he stated that he would
continue his support.
3:29:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether APF has a blanket position
on licensure compacting.
MR. GIORGANA answered that it supports licensure compacts
regardless of the [medical profession] addressed in a bill.
3:30:43 PM
ALEC KAY, President, Alaska Chapter of the American Physical
Therapy Association, stated that the American Physical Therapy
Association supports HB 137, as it will improve safety and
access to care. He said that Alaska faces delays in gaining
licensure, leading professionals to choose other states, which
has a negative economic and healthcare impact on the state.
3:33:44 PM
MARGE STONEKING, Lobbyist, AARP Alaska, stated that AARP Alaska
supports HB 137 and HB 138, as these bills would increase access
to care for Alaska's aging population. She expressed the
opinion that the compacts would reduce the barriers when
recruiting professionals from other states.
3:35:26 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE after ascertaining that there was no one
else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 137.
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 137 was held over.
HB 138-AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT
3:35:39 PM
VICE CHAIR announced that the next order of business would be
[the continuation of] HOUSE BILL NO. 138, "An Act relating to an
audiology and speech-language interstate compact; relating to
the practice of audiology and the practice of speech-language
pathology; and providing for an effective date."
3:35:52 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE [continued] public testimony on HB 138.
3:36:18 PM
DAVID JAMISON, representing self, stated that he is a speech
therapist and offered support for HB 138. He said that there is
a severe shortage of speech therapists in Alaska and expressed
the opinion that joining the compact would reduce barriers in
recruitment.
3:37:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned the current length of time
before licensure would be granted.
MR. JAMISON answered that, before licensure is granted, there
are other required certifications. He said that the entire
process can take up to six months. In response to a follow-up
question, he said that the bill would reduce the time frame by
at least six weeks. He answered that the proposed bill would
not reduce the amount of time required to gain certification for
the various insurance companies.
3:42:58 PM
ANDREA TOTH, President, Alaska Speech and Hearing Association
(ASHA), shared that she has worked as a speech therapist since
1993 and expressed support for HB 138. She argued that joining
the compact would improve care for military families and allow
military spouses to begin work more quickly in their associated
medical fields. She stated that ASHA supports the bill, and,
because Alaska does not have an audiology and speech language
therapist board, ASHA could provide oversight.
3:44:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned the licensure certification
process for audiologists and speech language therapists.
MS. TOTH answered that national certification is required to
receive a license in Alaska and offered that ASHA is already
involved in this process.
3:45:48 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE, after ascertaining that there was no one
else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 138.
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 138 was held over.
HB 145-LOANS UNDER $25,000; PAYDAY LOANS
3:46:01 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 145, "An Act relating to loans in an
amount of $25,000 or less; relating to deferred deposit
advances; and providing for an effective date."
3:46:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 145, Version 33-LS0508\U, Dunmire,
3/28/23, as a working document. There being no objection,
Version U was before the committee.
3:47:17 PM
PI RIORDAN-RANDALL, Staff, Representative Stanley Wright, Alaska
State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Wright, prime
sponsor, gave the summary of changes under Version U [copy
included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
The committee substitute for HB145 version U would
make the following changes:
Amend Section 3, adding new subsection (d) to AS
06.20.025 to clarify that lenders who issue loans to
Alaskan residents where the borrower completes the in-
person or electronic transaction while being
physically present must register as a small loan
licensee.
o This change would protect Alaskan consumers by
regulating lenders who say they do not have to
register in Alaska because their server or other
infrastructure is located out of state.
o It would also provide clarity to businesses who
may be unclear if they need to register.
Add the following new sections:
• Section 4, adding new section AS 06.20.025 "National
Registry" allowing the Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development to participate in
the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and
Registry (NMLS) and utilize the registry to register
licensees and have licensees apply, renew an
application, submit reports, pay fees, submit reports,
upload surety bonds, challenge information input by
the department into the registry, and input other
information and forms into the registry.
o This change should reduce the administrative
burden on licensees. Currently, licensees must
complete a pdf application, email it to the division,
and mail a check or fax a credit card authorization to
pay application fees. These processes should be
streamlined if licensees apply through NMLS, which is
used in over 50 U.S. states and territories.
? Renewal applications would simply note any
changes (versus having to fill out a full application
each year), surety bonds could be uploaded by the
insurance company, fees could be paid by ACH or credit
card directly, and no more emails or PDFs to submit
the application.
o Additionally, this change will reduce the work
required by the division to process applications.
• Section 5, amending AS 06.20.030(a) allowing the
department to collect application investigation fees
through the NMLS registry.
• Section 6, amending AS 06.20.030(b) allowing the
department to collect application fees through the
NMLS registry as well as bringing the licensing
structure for small loan licenses to the modern era.
o The proposed licensing structure is similar to
the licensing structure currently found in deferred
deposit advance (DDA or "payday") licensing.
o This change is not expected to increase
application fees on current small loan licensees and
will keep fees constant for any DDA licensee who
migrates to a small loan license.
Section 7, repealing and reenacting AS 06.20.090
"Places of Business" to update the licensing structure
of small loan licenses.
Section 8, amending AS 06.20.170 "Periodic
Examinations" to change the requirement that the
department examine small loan licensees at least once
every 18 months to "as often as necessary to carry out
the purposes of this chapter."
o This change would reduce the regulatory burden
and costs on licensees by allowing the division to
examine based on risk rather than being calendar
driven.
o This "as needed" examination structure is found
in mortgage (AS 06.60), money services (AS 06.55), and
DDA lending (AS 06.50); this change would create
consistency and fairness among programs.
Section 11, adding new section AS 06.20.325
"Criminal Threats" to prohibit small loan licensees
from threatening a borrower with criminal prosecution
as a result of the borrower's default.
o This change would increase consumer protections
by implementing language similar to what is currently
found in AS 06.50 (DDA or "payday" lending).
Section 12, adding new paragraph to AS 06.20.900
"Definitions" defining "registry" as the Nationwide
Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) and registry.
3:52:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned what Section 4 would cover.
3:53:36 PM
ROBERT SCHMIDT, Director, Alaska Division of Banking and
Securities, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development, answered that the division would use the Nationwide
Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS), and it is used
for many types of financial and lending regulations, including
mortgages.
3:55:22 PM
TRACY RENO, Chief of Examinations, Alaska Division of Banking
and Securities, Department of Commerce, and Economic
Development, stated that NMLS is already used in Alaska for
mortgage lending, and for small, short-term loans in 33 other
states.
3:56:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed concern about using NMLS for
the purposes outlined in the proposed legislation.
3:56:43 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:56 p.m. to 3:58 p.m.
3:58:11 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 145, Version U, was held
over.
3:58:43 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
3:58 p.m.