SB 83-PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS  1:34:40 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." [CSSB 83 was adopted April 5 and is before the committee.] He asked Sylvan Robb to provide a recap of the bill. 1:35:18 PM SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Juneau, Alaska, gave a recap of SB 83. She reminded the committee that the universal temporary licensure bill allows the department to issue temporary licenses for 180 days for members of 40 of the 43 professional areas it supervises; those excluded require Alaska-specific information. To obtain a temporary license, an individual needs to have a license in good standing in another jurisdiction of the United States or Canada, they cannot have any discipline on their license, and they cannot have committed an act in the last ten years that would disqualify them from obtaining a license in Alaska. Their existing license must have substantially similar requirements as an Alaskan license. If the profession requires a criminal background check in Alaska, then it must be completed first. 1:36:54 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN said the committee previously adopted a committee substitute to ensure the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing had the ability to provide military courtesy licenses that would comply with new federal regulations. Members have a draft proposed amendment to address this issue. He noted that there was an amendment that further clarified certain temporary licenses. 1:37:16 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 33- GS1614\S.2, for CSSB 83. 33-GS1614\S.2 Bergerud 4/6/23 AMENDMENT 1 OFFERED IN THE SENATE TO: CSSB 83(L&C), Draft Version "S" Page 2, line 3: Delete "or" Page 2, line 8, following "AS 08.01.064(a)(2);": Insert "or" Page 2, following line 8: Insert a new subparagraph to read: "(C) is applying for a temporary license to practice (i) dentistry, has graduated from an accredited dental program in the United States, and has passed written and clinical examinations approved by the Board of Dental Examiners; or (ii) dental hygiene, has graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program in the United States, and has passed written and clinical examinations approved by the Board of Dental Examiners;" SENATOR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of an explanation. 1:37:34 PM KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that Amendment 1 adds dentists and dental hygienists who have completed schooling and passed their written and clinical exams to the language listing occupations that would be eligible for a universal temporary license. 1:38:40 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN removed his objection to Amendment 1. Finding no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 1:39:12 PM HEATHER WILLIS, DMD, Governmental Affairs Chair, Alaska Dental Society, Fairbanks, Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of SB 83, specifically in regard to providing temporary licenses to dentists and dental hygienists. She stated that the Alaska Dental Society is attempting to speed up the licensing process overall and this would provide an avenue for dentists and dental hygienists to join the workforce promptly upon becoming qualified. 1:40:46 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN asked about the roadblocks that prevent dental students from entering the workforce after they complete their schooling. 1:41:00 PM DR. WILLIS answered that dentists have difficulty finding dental hygienists nationwide. It takes six to eight months to process an already licensed hygienist license. Newly graduated hygienists should not experience these licensing delays. 1:42:30 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN reiterated that Amendment 1 ensures that dental hygienists who have completed their schooling and passed all examinations would be able to receive a temporary license for up to 180 days. 1:43:36 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to report CSSB 83, work order 33- GS1614\S, as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and CSSB 83(L&C) was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.