SB 243-CHIROPRACTORS: SUNSET/LICENSING CHAIR MURKOWSKI announced that the first order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 243(FIN), "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners; and relating to chiropractors." Number 0084 HEATHER BRAKES, Staff to Senator Gene Therriault, Joint Committee on Legislative Budget & Audit, Alaska State Legislature, testified on behalf of the sponsor of SB 243, Joint Committee on Legislative Budget & Audit. Ms. Brakes explained that SB 243 was drafted based on an audit report released by the Joint Committee on Legislative Budget & Audit on December 5, 2001. Section 1 extends the termination date of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners from June 30, 2002, to June 30, 2006, which is the standard four-year extension. Section 2 restores the board's authority to license by credentials. Ms. Brakes pointed out that the committee packet should include the audit report. She directed the committee's attention to page 5 of the audit report, which is entitled "Report Conclusions". In that section the auditor, in part, stated: In our opinion, the Board of Chiropractic Examiners is operating in an efficient and effective manner and should continue to regulate and license chiropractors. We believe the board is serving the public interest by promoting competence and integrity of individuals holding themselves out to the public as chiropractors. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners serves a public purpose by promoting the competent and safe practice of chiropractic therapy. The board does this through establishing standards for licensed professionals and monitoring the manner in which they practice. The board has carried out these responsibilities satisfactorily. MS. BRAKES explained that based on the above, the auditors recommended the board be extended for four years. Furthermore, the auditors recommended, on page 7 of the audit report, to restore the board's statutory authority to license professionals by credentials [and thus] expanding opportunities for licensure by experienced professionals from out of state. CHAIR MURKOWSKI turned to Recommendation No. 2 of the audit that suggests that the governor expedite the appointment of vacant and expired board member positions. Currently, it appears that there are five board members [a full slate] and thus she asked if the suggestion mentioned in Recommendation No. 2 had been addressed recently. Number 0310 PAT DAVIDSON, Legislative Auditor, Legislative Audit Division, Alaska State Legislature, answered that as of June 30, 2001, the Board of Chiropractic Examiners does have a full slate of members. However, the lag time between when members had resigned and the time of appointment was of concern. CHAIR MURKOWSKI asked if these latest appointments addressed the audit's concern regarding the need for more representation from small rural areas, which was mentioned in Recommendation No. 2. MS. DAVIDSON said that is still of concern and thus the recommendation would stand. Number 0390 CATHERINE REARDON, Director, Division of Occupational Licensing, Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), testified in support of [CSSB 243(FIN)]. Ms. Reardon informed the committee that the current board consists of one member from each of the following communities: Ketchikan, Fairbanks, Juneau, Anchorage, and Eagle River. Although the board currently has good geographic distribution, she acknowledged that such geographic distribution hasn't always been the case. CHAIR MURKOWSKI turned to the issue of licensure by credential and asked if the changes in the legislation would address the licensure issues that were of concern. MS. REARDON replied yes, and explained that there was a fair amount of work on that issue in the Senate. The current version of the bill is supported by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners. It also appears that the chiropractic community supports [CSSB 243(FIN)] as well. Number 0469 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT moved to report [CSSB 243(FIN)] out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, [CSSB 243(FIN)] was reported from the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.