HB 231 INTERVIEWS BY THE STATE MEDICAL BOARD                        
                                                                              
 CHAIRMAN KELLY called the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee                 
 meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. and announced HB 231 to be up for               
 consideration.                                                                
                                                                               
 MARVEEN COGGINS, Legislative Aide to Representative Cynthia Toohey,           
 explained that under existing law, physicians applying for                    
 permanent licensure must be interviewed in person by the Alaska               
 State Medical Board or a member of the Board.  This mandated                  
 interview is cumbersome, expensive, and of limited value since the            
 license application process which takes place prior to the                    
 interview is extensive and thorough.  An interview is unlikely to             
 reveal any information not already known.  HB 231 would allow the             
 interview to be discretionary.                                                
                                                                               
 HB 231 is supported by the Alaska State Medical Association, the              
 Alaska State Medical Board, and the Division of Occupational                  
 Licensing.  There is a $0 fiscal note.                                        
                                                                               
 CATHERINE REARDON, Director, Division of Occupational Licensing,              
 supported HB 231.                                                             
                                                                               
 SENATOR SALO moved to pass HB 231 from committee with individual              
 recommendations.  There were no objections and it was so ordered.