SB 83-PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS  1:35:18 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 83 "An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to temporary licenses for some professions; and providing for an effective date." He stated that this is the second hearing and Glenn Saviers will provide a recap of the bill. 1:35:48 PM GLENN SAVIERS, Deputy Director, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Juneau, Alaska, presented a summary of SB 83. She stated that SB 83 is a universal temporary licensure bill allowing the division to issue temporary licenses to qualified professionals. She described the parameters for qualification. 1:37:45 PM GLENN SAVIERS, Deputy Director, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Juneau, Alaska, stated that SB 83 is a universal temporary licensure bill that allows the division to issue temporary licenses to qualified professionals who hold a license in another US or Canadian jurisdiction that has substantially the same qualifications for licensure. She described the specific parameters for qualification, and advised that temporary licenses would be part of the department's regular permanent licensure process going forward. She said the primary goal of the bill is to get professionals licensed more quickly so they can start working in Alaska. MS. SAVIERS advised that a forthcoming committee substitute is in response to a new federal law that requires states to treat a military service member's or a spouse's professional license from another jurisdiction as valid if the service member relocates their residency due to military orders. The Department of Law determined this is the best vehicle. The CS will amend AS 08.01.063 relating to military courtesy licenses which will bring Alaska into compliance with the federal law. She clarified that this would not change how the universal temporary licensure provisions work. She said the department is working through the process and wants to be very transparent that this change is coming. 1:40:50 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 83. 1:41:17 PM BEN WILTERDINK, Director, Programs at Archbridge Institute, Alaska Policy Forum, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 83. He said many Alaskans are struggling to find qualified workers and filling their roles in the interim. Alaska is experiencing a workforce crisis. In 2022, 2500 more people moved out of Alaska than in, continuing a decade-long trend of net out-migration. Since 2013, the working age population has been in decline; Alaska is among the worst three states. Despite these challenges, Alaska law currently prohibits licensed professionals from other states to work in Alaska without first completing the process to obtain an Alaska license which they've already done in their home state. These professionals will not be able to make money until this potentially time-consuming process is complete. This is a significant barrier for licensed professionals considering a move to Alaska. Licensing requirements in general are responsible for reducing interstate migration. BEN WILTERDINK said that passing a universal licensure law would significantly ease Alaska's workforce issues and make it easier for licensed professionals in good standing in other state to move to Alaska and begin working with minimal interruption while obtaining their full Alaska license. Twelve other states have passed a permanent form of universal recognition, while six states have passed a lighter form of universal licensing recognition or licensing recognition for military spouses. 1:44:05 PM KAREN MCINTIRE, Senior Director of Human Resources and Vice President of Workforce, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 83. She said Southcentral Foundation employs thousands of healthcare workers, the majority of whom are licensed providers in a range of occupations. Southcentral Foundation currently has over 255 employment opportunities posted and over half require an Alaska professional license. Delays in receiving Alaska licenses means organizations lose out on qualified employees. It's not possible to expect highly trained providers to forego months of practice due to licensure delays. SB 83 will go a long way toward solving that problem. A temporary license is a way for professionals coming to this state that have similar license requirements to practice healthcare more readily. It won't diminish the safeguards found in Alaska licensing statutes and regulations because these professionals will have to obtain a license by the time the temporary ability to practice runs its course. 1:46:29 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony and held SB 83 in committee.