SB 204-DISABLED VET PLATES: CHIROPRACTORS CERTIFY  3:40:54 PM CHAIR MEYER called the committee back to order. He announced the consideration of Senate Bill 204 (SB 204). 3:41:31 PM SENATOR EGAN, sponsor of SB 204, said the bill lets Alaska's chiropractors sign the Division of Motor Vehicles' (DMV) forms to provide disability certification for special registration, license plates, and for disability parking permits. He noted that he already has a permanent decal signed off by his medical doctor, but SB 204 helps others. He explained that for years DMV allowed chiropractors to sign disability applications, but in 2016 the Alaska Department of Law advised DMV that the statute as it then read was not broad enough to allow chiropractors to do so. He said SB 204 authorizes and restores the system that served Alaskans well in previous years. 3:42:50 PM PETER NAOROZ, Staff, Senator Eagan, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated that SB 204 is an important bill because it allows chiropractors, who in many cases are primary-care physicians, the ability to sign-off with the DMV on handicap permits and licenses. He detailed that the Alaska Department of Law determined in 2016 that chiropractors would have to be specifically mentioned in statute by legislative authorization and SB 204 accomplishes that. He noted that a provision in Title 28, Chapter 10 regarding veterans, uses the operative language, "Including a person with a disability." He summarized that SB 204 is the cleanest way to add chiropractors in working with DMV on handicap permits and licenses, a practice that chiropractors had been doing for a number of years. 3:44:56 PM SENATOR WILSON asked him to clarify from the sponsor's statement versus the bill itself that the legislation addresses temporary parking, not actual license plates. MR. NAOROZ answered that the bill addresses a temporary arrangement for parking spaces. CHAIR MEYER asked if placards or license plates are provided. MR. NAOROZ answered that temporary placards are provided. CHAIR MEYER asked him to confirm that the chiropractors have been signing off for many years and the bill clarifies that they have the authority to provide the service. MR. NAOROZ answered yes. 3:46:10 PM CHAIR MEYER opened public testimony. 3:46:41 PM TODD CURZIE, President, Alaska Chiropractic Society, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204 to restore chiropractors' ability to sign the DMV disability application. He said he had signed DMV disability applications for 23 years. He noted that he had never given a permanent disability, strictly temporary stickers. He said not being able to extend handicap stickers when asked has been a shame. CHAIR MEYER noted Mr. Curzie's testimony that his goal is to make disability applications temporary for his patients. MR. CURZIE concurred and noted that some patients do require a permanent sticker due to their physical condition, but most are temporary. 3:49:00 PM DR. EDWARD BARRINGTON, member, Alaska Chiropractic Society, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support SB 204. He said the handicap stickers are important to individuals. He pointed out that many times patients who do not consult medical providers choose chiropractors as their primary care provider and providing handicap stickers is a good service to offer patients. 3:50:20 PM DR. DAVID MARTIN, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He said he has many chiropractic patients that see him as their primary-care physician and providing handicap stickers was something that he was able to provide for many years. He said his hope is to better serve his patients by providing handicap stickers once again. 3:52:21 PM DR. DANIEL HOLT, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He disclosed that he has been a chiropractor in Juneau for 25 years. He said providing patients with the ability to park closer would be beneficial to chiropractic practices to better serve patients in Alaska. CHAIR MEYER asked if most the handicap placards that Dr. Holt provides are temporary. DR. HOLT explained that chiropractors try to get people up and going again and not do long-term disabilities. He concurred that the intent is to provide temporary placards to people. 3:54:40 PM CHAIR MEYER closed public testimony. 3:55:07 PM SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SB 204, version 30-LS1474\A from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. 3:55:20 PM CHAIR MEYER announced that being no objection, the motion carried.