SSCR 2-DISAPPROVE EO 125  3:33:24 PM CHAIR PRAX announced that the next order of business would be SSCR 2, "Disapproving Executive Order No. 125." 3:34:18 PM HEIDI HEDBERG, Commissioner, Department of Health, gave invited testimony on SSCR 2. She explained that Executive Order 125 would remove the Alaska Council for Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS) and transfer its statutory authority to DOH. She said even though there would be new advisory committees formed within DOH, there would still be a need for ACEMS to provide recommendations to DOH. 3:35:57 PM CHAIR PRAX asked how council members are appointed to ACEMS. 3:36:35 PM MS. HEDBERG answered that individuals can submit an application to the Office of Boards and Commissions. CHAIR PRAX asked how DOH would gather the individuals needed to serve on the committee. MS. HEDBERG gave multiple examples of professions not represented on the council and explained how the vetting process would work. CHAIR PRAX asked whether regulatory changes could be made by ACEMS. MS. HEDBERG replied that ACEMS provides only recommendations to DOH. 3:38:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked what the timeline of creating a new council would look like. MS. HEDBERG answered that the State Emergency Medical Services Office has the administrative support to provide the services and functions of setting up new emergency medical service (EMS) advisory committees in a timely manner. 3:38:53 PM GENE WISEMAN, Section Chief, Rural Community Health, Department of Health, gave invited testimony on SSCR 2. He explained that there are many underrepresented professions related to emergency medical services and said that Executive Order 125 would allow DOH to expand and contract advisory boards as necessary. CHAIR PRAX asked whether there has been general public participation in DOH advisory board hearings. MR. WISEMAN said that there isn't a lot of public activity or interest in advisory board meetings and ACEMS has "been struggling to find its place" since its inception in 1977. 3:42:16 PM CHAIR PRAX opened public testimony on SSCR 2. After ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, he closed public testimony. CHAIR PRAX explained the implications of legislator's votes towards SSCR 2 and how they would affect Executive Order 125. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether SSCR 2 could move to the House floor if it was not passed in committee. REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS explained that it would move to the House floor regardless of whether it was passed out of committee. 3:44:58 PM The committee took an at-ease from 3:44 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. 3:45:24 PM CHAIR PRAX announced that the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee had reviewed SSCR 2 and sent it to the full legislature for consideration.