ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
May 8, 2024
3:45 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jesse Sumner, Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair
Representative Stanley Wright
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Zack Fields
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27
Supporting trade policies for the United States that hold China,
Russia, and other countries accountable, reward leadership in
clean production standards, reward superior environmental
performance, support economic development, and support the
rebuilding of supply chains in the United States.
- MOVED HJR 27 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 182
"An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game
Commercial Services Board; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SB 182 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 239
"An Act relating to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export
Authority; and relating to workforce housing development
projects."
- MOVED HCS SB 239(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 234
"An Act relating to the Marijuana Control Board; and providing
for an effective date."
- MOVED SB 234 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 115(HSS) AM
"An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to
physicians; and relating to health care insurance policies."
- MOVED HCS CSSB 115(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 336
"An Act relating to athletic trainers; and providing for an
effective date."
- BILL HEARING RESCHEDULED TO 5/10/24
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 27
SHORT TITLE: SUPPORTING CERTAIN US TRADE POLICIES
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
04/11/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/11/24 (H) L&C, RES
04/15/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/15/24 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/17/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/17/24 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 04/22/24>
04/22/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/22/24 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/24/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/24/24 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/29/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/29/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/01/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/01/24 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
05/06/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/06/24 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 05/08/24>
05/08/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: SB 182
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND BIG GAME COMM SERVICES BOARD
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
01/16/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/24 (S) L&C, FIN
01/22/24 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/22/24 (S) Heard & Held
01/22/24 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
01/29/24 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/29/24 (S) Moved SB 182 Out of Committee
01/29/24 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
01/31/24 (S) L&C RPT 3DP 1AM
01/31/24 (S) DP: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, MERRICK
01/31/24 (S) AM: GRAY-JACKSON
04/09/24 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
04/09/24 (S) Heard & Held
04/09/24 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
04/22/24 (S) FIN AT 1:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
04/22/24 (S) Moved SB 182 Out of Committee
04/22/24 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
04/24/24 (S) FIN RPT 4DP
04/24/24 (S) DP: OLSON, WILSON, KIEHL, MERRICK
04/29/24 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
04/29/24 (S) VERSION: SB 182
05/01/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/01/24 (H) L&C, FIN
05/06/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/06/24 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 05/08/24>
05/08/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: SB 239
SHORT TITLE: AIDEA WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
SPONSOR(s): DUNBAR
02/19/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/24 (S) L&C, FIN
02/21/24 (S) FIN REFERRAL REMOVED
03/27/24 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/27/24 (S) Heard & Held
03/27/24 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/12/24 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/12/24 (S) Moved SB 239 Out of Committee
04/12/24 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/15/24 (S) L&C RPT 2DP 2NR
04/15/24 (S) NR: BJORKMAN, MERRICK
04/15/24 (S) DP: GRAY-JACKSON, DUNBAR
04/22/24 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
04/22/24 (S) VERSION: SB 239
04/24/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/24/24 (H) L&C
04/29/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/29/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/01/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/01/24 (H) Heard & Held
05/01/24 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/08/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: SB 234
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND MARIJUANA CONTROL BOARD
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
02/15/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/15/24 (S) L&C, FIN
03/08/24 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/08/24 (S) Heard & Held
03/08/24 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/13/24 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/13/24 (S) Moved SB 234 Out of Committee
03/13/24 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/15/24 (S) L&C RPT 3DP
03/15/24 (S) DP: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON
04/03/24 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
04/03/24 (S) Heard & Held
04/03/24 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
04/04/24 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
04/04/24 (S) Heard & Held
04/04/24 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
04/22/24 (S) FIN AT 1:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
04/22/24 (S) Moved SB 234 Out of Committee
04/22/24 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
04/24/24 (S) FIN RPT 4DP
04/24/24 (S) DP: OLSON, WILSON, KIEHL, MERRICK
04/29/24 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
04/29/24 (S) VERSION: SB 234
05/01/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/01/24 (H) L&C, FIN
05/06/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/06/24 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 05/08/24>
05/08/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: SB 115
SHORT TITLE: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE
SPONSOR(s): TOBIN BY REQUEST
03/27/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/27/23 (S) HSS, L&C
01/23/24 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
01/23/24 (S) Heard & Held
01/23/24 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/06/24 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/06/24 (S) Heard & Held
02/06/24 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/15/24 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/15/24 (S) Moved CSSB 115(HSS) Out of Committee
02/15/24 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/19/24 (S) HSS RPT CS 3DP 2AM SAME TITLE
02/19/24 (S) DP: WILSON, KAUFMAN, DUNBAR
02/19/24 (S) AM: TOBIN, GIESSEL
02/28/24 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/28/24 (S) Heard & Held
02/28/24 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/05/24 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/05/24 (S) Moved CSSB 115(HSS) Out of Committee
04/05/24 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/08/24 (S) L&C RPT CS(HSS) 2DP 1NR 1AM
04/08/24 (S) AM: BJORKMAN
04/08/24 (S) DP: DUNBAR, BISHOP
04/08/24 (S) NR: MERRICK
04/24/24 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
04/24/24 (S) VERSION: CSSB 115(HSS) AM
04/26/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/26/24 (H) HSS, L&C
05/02/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
05/02/24 (H) Moved CSSB 115(HSS) AM Out of Committee
05/02/24 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
05/03/24 (H) HSS RPT 5NR 1AM
05/03/24 (H) NR: RUFFRIDGE, MCCORMICK, MINA,
SADDLER, PRAX
05/03/24 (H) AM: SUMNER
05/06/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
05/06/24 (H) Heard & Held
05/06/24 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
05/08/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
TREVOR JEPSEN, Staff
Representative Tom McKay
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
239.
BRANDON BREFCVYNSKI, Deputy Director
Alaska Industrial Development and Expert Authority
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
239.
JAMES HOLZENBERG, Staff
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
239 on behalf of Senator Dunbar, prime sponsor.
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented SB 182.
AARON BLOOMQUIST, Chair
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on SB 182.
JOAN WILSON, Director
Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on SB 234.
SENATOR L?KI TOBIN
Alaska State Senator
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions during
the hearing on SB 115.
JENNIFER FAYETTE, PA
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
115.
KRISTIN MITCHELL, MD, President
Alaska State Medical Association
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
115.
ROXANNE JONES, MD, Secretary of the Board
Alaska Academy of Family Physicians
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
115.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:46:11 PM
CHAIR JESSE SUMNER called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:45 p.m. Representatives Prax,
Carrick, Fields, Ruffridge, and Sumner were present at the call
to order. Representatives Wright and Saddler arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HJR 27-SUPPORTING CERTAIN US TRADE POLICIES
3:47:08 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27, Supporting trade policies for the
United States that hold China, Russia, and other countries
accountable, reward leadership in clean production standards,
reward superior environmental performance, support economic
development, and support the rebuilding of supply chains in the
United States.
3:47:18 PM
The committee took at at-ease from 3:47 p.m. to 3:48 p.m.
3:48:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report HJR 27 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being objection, HJR 27 was reported out of the
House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
SB 182-EXTEND BIG GAME COMM SERVICES BOARD
3:49:04 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 182, "An Act extending the termination date of
the Big Game Commercial Services Board; and providing for an
effective date."
3:49:14 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 3:49 p.m.
CHAIR SUMNER stated that the bill sponsor for SB 182 was
currently unavailable; [therefore, the committee moved on to the
next order of business].
SB 239-AIDEA WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
3:49:36 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 239, "An Act relating to the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority; and relating to workforce
housing development projects."
3:49:53 PM
CHAIR SUMNER moved to adopt Amendment 1 to SB 239, labeled 33-
LS1072\S.6, Walsh, 5/6/24, which read:
Page 1, line 1, following "Authority;":
Insert "relating to state loans for oil and gas
development projects in the Cook Inlet sedimentary
basin;"
Page 1, following line 3:
Insert new bill sections to read:
"* Section. 1. AS 42.05.141 is amended by adding a
new subsection to read:
(g) The commission shall, as required under
AS 44.88.850(b), determine whether the sale price in a
gas sales agreement for gas produced through a project
partially or fully funded by a loan under AS 44.88.850
constitutes a just and reasonable immediate delivery
price for gas.
* Sec. 2. AS 44.25.020 is amended to read:
Sec. 44.25.020. Duties of department. The
Department of Revenue shall
(1) enforce the tax laws of the state;
(2) collect, account for, have custody of,
invest, and manage all state funds and all revenues of
the state except revenues incidental to a program of
licensing and regulation carried on by another state
department, funds managed and invested by the Alaska
Retirement Management Board, and as otherwise provided
by law;
(3) invest and manage the balance of the
power development fund in accordance with
AS 44.83.386;
(4) administer the surety bond program for
licensure as a fish processor or primary fish buyer;
(5) provide reasonable assistance to the
Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
under AS 44.88.850(c).
* Sec. 3. AS 44.37.020 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(d) The Department of Natural Resources shall
provide reasonable assistance to the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority under
AS 44.88.850(c)."
Page 1, line 4:
Delete "Section 1"
Insert "Sec. 4"
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 5, following line 20:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 6. AS 44.88 is amended by adding new
sections to read:
Article 10A. Cook Inlet Reserve-Based Lending.
Sec. 44.88.850. Cook Inlet reserve-based lending
account. (a) The Cook Inlet reserve-based lending
account is established in the revolving fund. The
account consists of money or assets deposited into the
account by the authority and contributions from other
sources.
(b) The authority may use money in the account
to make one or more reserve-based loans to fund oil
and gas development projects the authority considers
necessary to increase oil and gas production from the
Cook Inlet sedimentary basin. The authority may, as a
term of the loan, accept an ownership share in the
project funded by the loan. If the authority accepts
an ownership share as a term of the loan, the
ownership share must be in the form of a carried
interest that does not obligate the authority to
contribute to the development costs of the project.
The authority may make a loan under this section only
(1) to a legal entity in compliance with
state and federal laws;
(2) if the loan applicant provides a
written waiver permitting the authority to access or
obtain copies of the loan applicant's confidential
records that are in possession of the Department of
Natural Resources or the Department of Revenue;
information provided to the authority under this
section shall be kept confidential by the authority
unless disclosure is authorized by the loan applicant
or borrower;
(3) if the authority obtains an independent
study performed by an experienced, qualified expert
that confirms the valuation of the loan security and
the capacity of the loan to support the oil and gas
development project and to cause or increase the
commercial production of oil or gas from the Cook
Inlet sedimentary basin;
(4) if the Regulatory Commission of Alaska
determines, under AS 42.05.141(g), that the sale price
in a gas sales agreement for gas produced through a
project partially or fully funded by a loan under this
section does not exceed a just and reasonable
immediate delivery price for gas;
(5) if the authority determines that the
sales price for oil and gas produced through a project
partially or fully funded by a loan under this section
is reasonable and in the best interests of residents
of the state.
(c) The authority may request assistance from
the Department of Revenue under AS 44.25.020(a)(5) or
the Department of Natural Resources under
AS 44.37.020(d) to execute this section.
(d) The authority may accept an overriding
royalty interest in a lease for which a loan has been
extended under (b) of this section if, as a term of
the loan, the overriding royalty interest is subject
to prior approval by the Department of Natural
Resources. The authority may only have the overriding
royalty interest transferred to the authority if the
borrower defaults.
Sec. 44.88.855. Cook Inlet oil and gas
development projects; report. (a) The authority shall
evaluate oil and gas development projects the
authority believes have reasonable potential to
increase oil and gas production from the Cook Inlet
sedimentary basin. Each year, the authority shall
prepare a report related to those oil and gas
development projects and shall, by the first day of
each regular session of the legislature, deliver the
report to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of
the house of representatives and notify the
legislature that the report is available. At the
request of a legislative committee, a representative
of the authority shall appear in that committee to
review the report. For each oil and gas development
project, the report must include
(1) a cost estimate for the project;
(2) the potential recoverable gas from the
project;
(3) the projected rate of return for the
project;
(4) if the authority recommends a reserve-
based loan for the project, the amount of funds
necessary for deposit into the Cook Inlet reserve-
based lending account to provide a loan for the
project and the recommended source of funds for the
deposit.
(b) Notwithstanding AS 44.88.215,
44.88.850(b)(2), or any other law, a borrower's
information shall be subject to the public reporting
requirements under this section. Each year, the
authority shall prepare a report related to Cook Inlet
reserve-based loans made under AS 44.88.850 and shall,
by the first day of each regular session of the
legislature, deliver the report to the senate
secretary and the chief clerk of the house of
representatives and notify the legislature that the
report is available. At the request of a legislative
committee, a representative of the authority shall
appear in that committee to review the report. The
report must
(1) identify each entity borrowing funds
under AS 44.88.850;
(2) list the amount borrowed by each
borrower and the date each loan was approved;
(3) include a summary of the terms of the
lending agreement with each borrower;
(4) summarize each project for which a loan
was made, including the status of the project and the
volume of oil and gas produced and expected to be
produced from the project;
(5) list the status of payments made on the
loan, including whether the loan is or ever was in
default."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 6, following line 24:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 9. AS 44.88.900 is amended by adding new
paragraphs to read:
(20) "oil and gas development project"
means a development project to produce proven oil or
gas reserves;
(21) "reserve-based loan" means a loan made against
and fully secured by an oil and gas field, proven
undeveloped or developed oil and gas reserves, or
other assets of the entity receiving the loan."
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected for the purpose of discussion.
CHAIR SUMNER summarized Amendment 1, stating that it is
essentially the reserve-based lending language that had been
under discussion many times in other committees.
3:50:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK opined that Amendment 1, in substance,
seemed like a separate piece of legislation. She noted her
curiosity as to what other members of the committee thought.
3:51:18 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:51 p.m. to 3:52 p.m.
3:52:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 1 to change "may" to "shall" on line 23, page 2, and
asked Legislative Legal Services to make conforming changes. He
confirmed that he supported the underlying amendment.
3:53:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected and expounded on the proposed word
"shall".
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS gave an example of "Cook Inlet
Investments" and the key being durability.
3:54:07 PM
TREVOR JEPSEN, Staff, Representative Tom McKay, Alaska State
Legislature, said the thinking behind "may" was to give the
Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) the
flexibility to take an ownership share but not require it.
3:54:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked Chair Sumner what his preference
was.
3:55:02 PM
BRANDON BREFCVYNSKI, Deputy Director, Alaska Industrial
Development and Expert Authority, remarked upon the rigidity of
requiring AIDEA to take an ownership stake. Having "may" gives
more negotiating room but "shall" limits the ability to finance
a project, he explained.
3:56:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX spoke against the amendment and said that
taking an ownership share equals accepting a higher degree of
risk.
3:57:31 PM
CHAIR SUMNER confirmed his opposition [to Conceptual Amendment 1
to Amendment 1] and opined that it was too rigid.
3:57:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS [moved to withdraw] Conceptual Amendment 1
to Amendment 1. [There being no objection, it was so ordered.]
3:57:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE removed his objection [to Amendment 1].
There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:58:26 PM
CHAIR SUMNER moved to adopt Amendment 2 to SB 239, as amended,
labeled 33-LS1072\S.2, Walsh, 5/7/24, which read:
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "and"
Page 1, line 2, following "projects":
Insert "; and authorizing the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority to issue bonds to
finance infrastructure that supports development of
critical mineral, rare earth element, and energy
projects"
Page 6, following line 24:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 5. The uncodified law of the State of
Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:
LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL: STATEWIDE CRITICAL MINERAL,
RARE EARTH ELEMENT, AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS. (a) The Alaska Industrial Development and
Export Authority may issue bonds to finance
infrastructure and construction costs of
infrastructure that support the development of
critical mineral, rare earth element, and energy
projects located in the state. The critical mineral,
rare earth element, and energy project infrastructure
shall be owned and operated by the authority or
financed under AS 44.88.172, 44.88.650 - 44.88.690, or
44.88.800 - 44.88.840. The principal amount of the
bonds provided by the authority for critical mineral,
rare earth element, and energy projects may not exceed
$300,000,000 and may include the costs of issuing
bonds considered reasonable and appropriate by the
authority. The bonds shall be repaid from revenues of
the authority.
(b) The Alaska Industrial Development and Export
Authority may issue the bonds under this section in a
single issuance or in several issuances, without
limitation as to the number of issuances or timing,
and as the authority determines best furthers the
purpose of financing infrastructure that supports the
development of critical mineral, rare earth element,
and energy projects in the state.
(c) The bonds authorized by this section may not
be considered in calculating the authority's bonding
limitation for a 12-month period under
AS 44.88.095(a).
(d) This section constitutes legislative approval
required by AS 44.88.095(g)."
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected.
3:58:30 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:58 p.m. to 4:02 p.m.
4:02:15 PM
CHAIR SUMNER [moved to withdraw] Amendment 2 to SB 239, as
amended. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
4:02:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 3 to SB 239, as
amended, labeled 33-LS1072\B.3, Walsh, 5/1/24, which read:
Page 2, lines 13 - 14:
Delete "containing five or more dwelling units"
Page 5, line 22:
Delete "containing five or more dwelling units"
Page 6, lines 26 - 27:
Delete "containing five or more dwelling units"
Page 6, line 29, through page 7, line 1:
Delete "that costs the occupants less than 30
percent of the income of a household with 120 percent
of the area median family income, as determined by the
United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development, for where the housing is constructed"
Insert "containing five or more dwelling units"
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said that he developed the amendment
because of his concern with the language on page 6, line 29. He
stated that if the amendment were adopted, the program would
support any multi-family workforce housing.
4:03:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether there was a legal definition
of "workforce housing".
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS answered that he was broadening the
definition to not be confined to low-income housing because it
captured only one segment of the workforce.
4:04:24 PM
JAMES HOLZENBERG, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Senator Dunbar, prime sponsor of SB
239, explained that the definition was intended to narrow the
scope of the bill. He added that the utility of the amendment
could benefit the legislation overall.
4:05:41 PM
MR. BREFCEYNSKI stated that he had no concerns with Amendment 3.
4:05:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX maintained his objection.
4:06:22 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Fields, Ruffridge,
Wright, Carrick, and Sumner voted in favor of Amendment 3 to SB
239, as amended. Representatives Prax and Saddler voted against
it. Therefore, Amendment 3 was adopted by a vote of 5-2.
4:07:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report SB 239, as amended, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS SB
239(L&C) was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee.
SB 182-EXTEND BIG GAME COMM SERVICES BOARD
4:08:05 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 182, "An Act extending the termination date of
the Big Game Commercial Services Board; and providing for an
effective date."
4:08:25 PM
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented SB 182 and reiterated the intent of the bill.
He added that it reflected the Big Game Commercial Services
Board's efforts to improve its fiscal position. He said the
board had been consistently working in the best interest of the
public and a six-year extension for the termination date had
been recommended.
CHAIR SUMNER welcomed invited testifiers.
4:10:37 PM
AARON BLOOMQUIST, Chair, Big Game Commercial Services Board,
spoke to the commercial services board and efforts around issues
individual licensees and clients have. He confirmed that the
budget was in good shape and explained investigative matters.
He further noted that the department was understaffed, which can
create challenges, but it continues to do its part. He noted
that in the future, the board would bring requests to the
legislature surrounding survivorships, emergency provisions, and
continuing education.
4:13:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER observed that the audit indicated the
extension was a maximum of eight years and questioned why the
request was for six.
SENATOR BJORKMAN clarified that the bill was written for an
eight-year extension being that the board had been successfully
fiscally responsible.
4:15:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report SB 182 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, SB 182 was reported out of the
House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
SB 234-EXTEND MARIJUANA CONTROL BOARD
4:15:47 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 234, "An Act relating to the Marijuana Control
Board; and providing for an effective date."
4:16:04 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN, as prime sponsor, read the sponsor statement
for SB 234 [included in the committee packet], which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Senate Bill 234 proposes to extend the sunset date of
the Marijuana Control Board (MCB) by three years.
In October of 2023, our Division of Legislative Audit
completed a sunset audit of the Board. In this audit,
it was determined that overall, the Board has operated
in the public's interest by conducting its meetings in
accordance with state law, as well as actively
amending regulations and conducting investigation in a
timely manner.
As you make an in-depth review the audit, you will see
our auditor made note of three issues which should be
addressed by the Board and the Legislature as it moves
forward. First, AMCO's director should establish
procedures to ensure handler permit documentation is
properly maintained. Secondly, the MCB and AMCO's
director should continue to implement a new license
and enforcement information system. Thirdly, the
legislature should consider requiring regulation
changes be approved by the majority of the MCB
members.
Currently, the Board will sunset on June 30, 2024. To
allow the Board to continue working in the public
interest, SB 234 follows the recommended three-year
extension to June 30, 2027. A three-year extension was
made in recognition that there may soon be significant
changes to the MCB and to AMCO duties. Additionally,
this would align the next MCB audit with that of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board's next audit.
I urge your support of this legislation.
4:17:59 PM
JOAN WILSON, Director, Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office,
began her testimony by relating the numbers of cultivators and
businesses in Alaska and that without the control board, she
opined the industry would cease to exist. She said the board
would be addressing its license fees, because the industry would
have retained the money borrowed from the general fund. She
noted that there is an advantage of aligning the sunset with the
Alcohol Beverage Control Board (ABC). She explained that there
would still be a need to regulate marijuana on a statewide basis
even with the changes in regulations. She emphasized that the
Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) is a tight-knit,
hardworking office and it was a privilege to serve Alaska.
4:20:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER spoke to the audit and asked whether the
board had a role in enforcing collection of taxes.
MS. WILSON replied no, but that the board had the ability to
revoke licenses. She noted there are currently 300 defunct
licenses and the board is working hard to collect the money.
4:22:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked how many vacant staff for license
processing are at AMCO. She further inquired about how many
overall staff there were.
MS. WILSON replied that AMCO is recruiting for three licensing
examiners and one administrative assistant. She added that it
was due to the Title 4 rewrite. In response to a follow-up
question, she replied that there are 24 positions at AMCO.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK said the audit related that licensing
delays served as a barrier to the marijuana industry. She
commented that if people cannot enter legally, or in time, there
is a chance of them entering the market illegally. She offered
her belief that filling the open positions is something that the
legislature should make a high priority.
MS. WILSON related that when she started two years ago, it took
eight months to get to queued applications. She said AMCO re-
prioritizes as much as it can to serve applicants. She stated
that the good news is that the queue has improved.
4:25:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report SB 234 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, SB 234 was reported out of the
House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
SB 115-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE
4:26:05 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 115(HSS) AM, "An Act relating to
physician assistants; relating to physicians; and relating to
health care insurance policies."
4:26:33 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:26 p.m. to 4:28 p.m.
4:28:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE confirmed he would not offer Amendment
1. He moved to adopt Amendment 2 to CSSB 115(HSS) AM, labeled
33-LS0542\U.A.3, Gunther, 5/3/24, which read:
Page 3, line 7:
Delete "one or more collaborating physicians"
Insert "a collaborating physician"
Page 3, lines 7 - 8:
Delete "A collaborating physician or physicians"
Insert "The collaborating physician"
Page 3, lines 10 - 12:
Delete "one or more collaborating physicians who,
collectively, practice in each of the physician
assistant's practice areas"
Insert "the collaborating physician"
Page 3, following line 13:
Insert new paragraphs to read:
"(2) be between a physician assistant and a
collaborating physician who practices in each of the
practice areas of the physician assistant;
(3) describe the practice areas of the
physician assistant and the collaborating physician;"
Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly.
Page 3, line 22, following "assistant;":
Insert "and"
Page 3, line 24:
Delete "; and"
Insert "."
Page 3, lines 25 - 26:
Delete all material.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said that Amendment 2 sought to clarify
that "collaborative physician" in the bill should be a singular
person, whereas in the underlying bill there is a desire to
clarify that there can be an alternate.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
4:29:12 PM
SENATOR L?KI TOBIN, Alaska State Senator, as prime sponsor of SB
115, said she would defer to an expert to ensure there was
accurate information given.
4:29:27 PM
JENNIFER FAYETTE, PA, offered her belief that it went back to
statute versus regulation and opined that it was a confusing
conversation in the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether limiting [the definition] to
one person produced a problem in, for example, a tribal health
system where two collaborating physicians could be beneficial.
MS. FAYETTE responded that collaboration and consultation are
always available to everyone. She opined that it is burdensome
to require more than one [collaborator].
4:31:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT removed his objection.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK objected.
4:31:11 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Fields, Prax,
Ruffridge, Saddler, and Wright voted in favor of Amendment 2.
Representatives Carrick and Sumner voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 2 was adopted by a vote of 5-2.
4:31:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 3 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.9, Gunther,
5/6/24, which read:
Page 3, line 4:
Delete "4,000"
Insert "10,000"
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected for purposes of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS explained that Amendment 3 would change
the hours prior to independent practice from 4,000 to 10,000.
He offered his belief that 4,000 hours is too low, and the
amendment is an attempt to strike a balance.
4:32:29 PM
CHAIR SUMNER sought clarity if it would be 5 years of full-time
work.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS replied yes, assuming one works 2,000
hours a year and he further noted that it would differ based on
practice.
4:33:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
SENATOR TOBIN added that the amendment would require a physician
assistant (PA) to have additional hours, and if an assistant
were to switch specialties, there would be additional
requirements that would equal that of physicians. She gave an
example of Utah and its specific provisions. She noted that in
Alaska, there are not enough collaborating physicians and it
would make it more difficult on the PA to find collaborators for
those five years.
4:34:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK noted that Amendment 1, which was not
offered, would have moved from 4,000 to 8,000 hours.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 3, to change the hours to 8,000.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK said that the intent was to provide a
better balance between the scope of the bill and the underlying
amendment.
4:35:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS offered support for the conceptual
amendment.
4:35:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT asked Senator Tobin whether 4,000 hours
was adequate and 8,000 was overkill.
SENATOR TOBIN deferred to Ms. Fayette for further clarity.
4:36:35 PM
MS. FAYETTE said that the ongoing misconception is how much
education one receives and noted that the PA program requires
2,000 hours to be accepted into medical school. She related
that the average person has 6,000 hours of patient care. She
advised that PAs are not trying to be doctors but are seeking a
pathway that gets people to provide better care and stay current
in what they do.
4:38:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented that 8,000 hours was the bare
minimum he could support.
4:38:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE stated that he had never heard of the
large number of hours being completed prior to going to school,
and asked, "The hours in what?"
MS. FAYETTE responded that it had to be repetitive patient care
and added that many students are emergency medical technicians
(EMTs), nursing students, and medical assistants. She shared
that her program had a minimum of 2,500 hours.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE shared an anecdote of his educational
background. He asked, in order to go to PA school, whether a
person that has completed high school or undergrad training
cannot apply.
MS. FAYETTE answered that they probably would not be accepted.
She clarified it must be paid hours and one must have 2,000 paid
patient care.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked whether there was a barrier put
in place by the schools and who established the hourly
requirement in order to attend school.
4:41:38 PM
SENATOR TOBIN explained that each program had different
prerequisite requirements. She listed the types of hourly
requirements and that programs require at least a bare minimum
to be accepted into these highly competitive programs. She
reiterated that it was not the intent to have PAs in line with
physicians.
4:43:12 PM
CHAIR SUMNER asked how the scope of practice would differ from
that of a physician under the proposed legislation.
SENATOR TOBIN pointed to the differences on page 2, line 5,
which showed a list of what PAs do, and for example, PAs do not
operate under regulation. She mentioned an inpatient procedure
such as stitches which may fall under an "operation."
4:44:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT questioned whether 2,000 hours was
adequate for the scope of work but observed that 4,000 had been
compromised on.
4:44:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE provided his rationale and added that
he thought 10,000 hours made sense but not in the way that
Amendment 3 brought it forward. He affirmed he would not
support the conceptual amendment or the underlying amendment.
4:46:10 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Carrick, Fields,
and Sumner voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment
3. Representatives Wright, Ruffridge, Saddler, and Prax voted
against it. Therefore, the Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment
3 failed to be adopted by a vote of 3-4.
4:47:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK noted her appreciation for PA testimony
stating 4,000 hours as being adequate. She offered her support
for Amendment 3 being that she was not convinced that without
the amendment some of the parity would be received.
4:48:22 PM
SENATOR TOBIN gave a reminder that every PA program required
2,000 hours and these additional collaborative hours would be on
top of that.
4:48:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS questioned whether there were any doctors
online to give an overview of hours in school and clinical
rotation.
CHAIR SUMNER confirmed there was not anyone online or in the
room.
4:49:35 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Carrick and Fields
voted in favor of Amendment 3. Representatives Saddler, Wright,
Prax, Ruffridge, and Sumner voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 3 failed to be adopted by a vote of 2-5.
4:50:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 4 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.10, Gunther,
5/6/24, which read:
Page 1, line 11:
Delete "[AND]"
Insert "and"
Page 1, line 12, through page 2, line 4:
Delete "; and
(5) hours of practice experience, if any,
that a physician assistant must complete under a
collaborative agreement to practice in a practice area
that is substantively different than the physician
assistant's previous practice areas; the board may not
require that a physician assistant complete more than
4,000 hours under this paragraph, in addition to the
hours required under (c) of this section, to practice
in a new practice area without a collaborative
agreement"
Page 3, lines 3 - 5:
Delete "Unless additional hours are required by
the board to practice in a new practice area under
(a)(5) of this section, a physician assistant with
less than 4,000 hours of practice experience"
Insert "Except as provided in (d) of this
section, a physician assistant"
Page 3, following line 26:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(d) A physician assistant with 4,000 or more
hours of practice experience under a collaborative
agreement may provide primary care services permitted
under (b) of this section without having a
collaborative agreement in place."
Reletter the following subsections accordingly.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS summarized that the amendment limits
independent practice of PAs to primary care.
4:51:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
4:51:13 PM
SENATOR TOBIN offered her belief that "carve outs" are
problematic. She noted that a similar provision was proposed
out of state and the reality led to fewer PA practices. She
deferred to Ms. Fayette for further reasoning on the proposed
amendment.
MS. FAYETTE reiterated that the bill was put forward for access
to care. She noted that there are specialty doctors lacking in
parts of Alaska and gave personal examples of the scope of her
work in the clinic. She stressed the importance of recognizing
the shortages but still being able to "answer the call."
4:54:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE appreciated the testimony and asked Ms.
Fayette if the bill were to pass whether she would practice
independently or attempt to continue in a collaborative fashion.
MS. FAYETTE responded that the bill wouldn't change a lot for
her regarding a "surgical assist."
4:56:16 PM
ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR SUMNER recessed the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to 10 minutes following the adjournment of
House floor session. [The motion to adopt Amendment 4 was left
pending, with objection.]
7:13:15 PM
CHAIR SUMNER called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee back to order. Present during the call back to order
were Representatives Prax, Carrick, Fields, Ruffridge, and
Sumner. Representatives Saddler and Wright arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
SB 115-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE
7:13:19 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the final order of business would be
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 115(HSS) AM, "An Act relating to
physician assistants; relating to physicians; and relating to
health care insurance policies."
SENATOR TOBIN noted that Ms. Fayette wished to continue her
closing comments.
7:13:48 PM
MS. FAYETTE said that when a collaborator is lost, it causes
delayed care; therefore, access to care gets interrupted.
7:14:21 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representative Fields voted in
favor of Amendment 4. Representatives Ruffridge, Wright,
Carrick, Prax, and Sumner voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 4 failed to be adopted by a vote of 1-5.
7:15:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS stated that he will not move Amendment 5
and moved to adopt Amendment 6 to CSSB 115(HSS) AM, as amended,
labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.14, A. Radford/Gunther, 5/6/24, which
read:
Page 3, following line 29:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(e) Before a physician assistant may provide
services under this section, the physician assistant
must inform the patient that the services will be
performed by a physician assistant and identify any
physician who is present for the services."
Reletter the following subsection accordingly.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS explained that existing law does not
require PAs to identify themselves as such, and the amendment
would require the PA to relate that they are a PA.
7:16:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
SENATOR TOBIN said that Ms. Fayette could speak to the
regulation.
7:16:24 PM
MS. FAYETTE said that current regulations require a sign that
shows a PA's credentials and that their education is on file.
In addition, they must wear a nametag or clothing that presents
them as a PA.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT asked whether a PA greets and tells a
patient their name and title.
MS. FAYETTE confirmed that she does and added that she will
correct a patient if they think she is a physician.
7:17:08 PM
SENATOR TOBIN explained that it is in regulation that all who
are not MDs or physicians must identify themselves as not being
a doctor.
7:17:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, referencing the second part of the
amendment, asked whether PAs currently need to identify a
physician who is present for the services.
MS. FAYETTE responded that in regulation, any provider should
present themselves.
7:18:25 PM
SENATOR TOBIN noted that 12 percent of collaborating physicians
have licenses outside the state.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK relayed her concern that the second part
of Amendment 6 would be challenging to put into place when there
is a lack of physicians.
7:19:40 PM
CHAIR SUMNER advised members of a new invited testifier.
7:20:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked the amendment sponsor if the
intent of the amendment is to allow a PA to perform services
only if a physician is present.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS responded that was not the intent because
remote collaborating physicians are necessary and helpful.
7:21:04 PM
SENATOR TOBIN noted that regulation provided penalties for
noncompliance of identification.
CHAIR SUMNER commented that if it was put in statute, penalties
would still exist in regulation.
SENATOR TOBIN said it was a concern in that the regulations
would need to be re-written and there may be confusion from the
medical board.
7:22:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS clarified it was not the intent to change
more details in regulations.
7:22:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 6 to delete the following from line 5 [as numbered on
Amendment 6]: "and identify any physician who is present for
the services". There being no objection, it was so ordered.
CHAIR SUMNER advised that Amendment 6, as amended, with
objection, was before the committee.
7:23:11 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Fields, Ruffridge,
Saddler, Carrick, and Sumner voted in favor of Amendment 6, as
amended. Representatives Prax and Wright voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 6, as amended, was adopted by a vote of 5-
2.
7:23:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 7 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.19, Gunther,
5/7/24, which read:
Page 2, line 3:
Delete "(c)"
Insert "(d)"
Page 2, line 31:
Delete "and"
Page 2, following line 31:
Insert a new paragraph to read:
"(13) assist in the performance of an
operation performed by a physician, osteopath, or
podiatrist licensed under this chapter; and"
Renumber the following paragraph accordingly.
Page 3, following line 2:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(c) A physician assistant may not perform an
operation."
Reletter the following subsections accordingly.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS summarized Amendment 7 and that the intent
was to offer better clarification for scopes of practice.
7:24:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for definition regarding assisting
in the performance of an operation versus performing an
operation.
SENATOR TOBIN noted that the terms are not defined within the
amendment. She referred to the first part of the amendment as
being problematic, being it may create difficulties for
providers. She further noted other difficulties that may be
created.
7:26:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS requested a doctor online who could speak
to Amendment 7.
7:27:24 PM
KRISTIN MITCHELL, MD, President, Alaska State Medical
Association, after noting her credentials, said that the
definition of "operation" could be broadly determined and could
create complications. She briefly explained the definitions of
medical practitioners.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether the committee should
distinguish that PAs should not perform operations or withdraw
Amendment 7.
DR. MITCHELL replied that she was not an expert in legislative
language but suggested one possibility would be to specify that
a PA would assist with but not perform a surgery.
7:29:10 PM
CHAIR SUMNER asked about the difference between a surgery or an
operation and inquired what stitches would fall under.
DR. MITCHELL noted that there had been an open debate about what
was considered a procedure or minor surgery, and it was not
entirely clear. She gave an example that a minor surgery could
include removing skin lesions.
7:30:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS [moved to withdraw] Amendment 7. [There
being no objection, Amendment 7 was withdrawn.]
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 8 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.20, A.
Radford/Gunther, 5/7/24, which read:
Page 1, line 11:
Delete "[AND]"
Insert "and"
Page 1, line 12, through page 2, line 4:
Delete "; and
(5) hours of practice experience, if any,
that a physician assistant must complete under a
collaborative agreement to practice in a practice area
that is substantively different than the physician
assistant's previous practice areas; the board may not
require that a physician assistant complete more than
4,000 hours under this paragraph, in addition to the
hours required under (c) of this section, to practice
in a new practice area without a collaborative
agreement"
Page 3, lines 3 - 5:
Delete "Unless additional hours are required by
the board to practice in a new practice area under
(a)(5) of this section, a physician assistant with
less than 4,000 hours of practice experience"
Insert "Except as provided under (f) of this
section, a physician assistant"
Page 3, following line 29:
Insert new subsections to read:
"(e) A collaborative agreement may designate one
or more alternate collaborating physicians to whom the
responsibility to oversee and communicate with a
physician assistant under the collaborative agreement
may be assigned.
(f) Upon termination of a collaborative
agreement, a physician assistant with 4,000 or more
hours of practice experience may practice within the
scope of services authorized under the terminated
collaborative agreement without a collaborating
physician for up to one year."
Reletter the following subsection accordingly.
Page 3, line 31:
Delete "and a collaborating physician"
Insert ", one or more collaborating physicians, and,
if applicable, one or more alternate collaborating
physicians"
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS summarized the amendment and highlighted
that it would allow PAs to designate an alternate collaborating
physician and, in the meantime, practice independently.
7:31:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned termination and whether either
could terminate at will.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS clarified that it could be either, but was
not meant to imply a negative experience. He reiterated that
the intent is that the PA should be able to keep practicing.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for clarity about termination.
7:32:49 PM
MS. FAYETTE said she had seen the language before in emergency
stipulations but in statute she opined it is unfair.
SENATOR TOBIN stated that she opposed the amendment because it
is hard to find collaborating physicians currently, and there
are now 313 PAs without collaborating physicians; therefore,
requiring them to identify an alternative is an overly
administrative burden and would not provide more access to care.
7:33:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER expressed confusion over the consistency.
[CHAIR SUMNER passed the gavel to Vice Chair Ruffridge.]
7:34:15 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 7:34 p.m. to 7:35 p.m.
7:35:17 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked for any further discussion on
Amendment 8.
7:35:31 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representative Fields voted in
favor of Amendment 8. Representatives Prax, Saddler, Wright,
Carrick, and Ruffridge voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 8
failed to be adopted by a vote of 1-5.
7:36:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 9 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.21, A.
Radford/Gunther, 5/7/24, which read:
Page 1, line 12:
Delete "and"
Page 2, line 4, following "agreement":
Insert "; and
(6) range of different activities similar to clinical
rotations a physician assistant must perform when
obtaining hours of practice experience required under
(a)(5) or (c) of this section"
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS synopsized that the amendment clarified
that in the hours performed under collaborating physicians,
there would be a range of experience similar to medical doctors.
He added it would make sense to have a breadth of tasks.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT wished to hear from the bill sponsor on
how the proposed amendment would affect the spirit of the bill.
7:37:22 PM
SENATOR TOBIN referenced a document members received that
provided an overview of requirements for professions, but she
clarified it failed to note that PAs are required to complete 27
months of continuous education. She noted further requirements
regarding licensing in Alaska and that it is not an
apprenticeship program; PAs are not trying to be doctors.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT added that he admired Representative
Fields' work toward apprenticeships but did not think this was
the piece of legislation for that.
7:39:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked about definitions regarding
clinical rotations and practice experience.
MS. FAYETTE said that clinical rotations are well established,
supervised, four-month rotations.
7:40:28 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE inquired whether the rotations are part of
the required 27 months.
MS. FAYETTE confirmed that was correct.
7:40:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER inquired further about the clinical
rotation.
MS. FAYETTE explained that you observe what is happening and
perform things, such as exams, under the supervision of your
supervising physician or PA.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether it was fair to say that a
clinical rotation is a supervised training or apprenticeship.
MS. FAYETTE answered that it is about gaining experience.
7:42:19 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked Ms. Fayette for accuracy that in 27
months, she performed 2,000 hours of clinical work, which is
approximately a year of training; therefore, that meant 15
months was course work, and 12 months was clinical work.
MS. FAYETTE responded yes.
7:42:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked about the definition of practice
experience.
SENATOR TOBIN opined that the amendment tried to mimic what
happens while a PA is in a training program. She restated the
percentage of collaborating physicians that do not live in
Alaska and that she was unsure how supervised clinical rotation
would happen in this context.
7:44:18 PM
[VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE passed the gavel back to Chair Sumner.]
7:44:40 PM
DR. MITCHELL offered her understanding that clinical rotations
would be for medical students and there are levels of training.
She shared her experience and expectations and expounded on the
levels of responsibilities one gains through the years. She
concluded that she could not draw a reasonable parallel between
time and practice experience without someone with whom a
learning individual could collaborate closely, among other
factors.
7:47:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Dr. Mitchell whether the requirement
was established in statute, regulation, or by the accreditor.
DR. MITCHELL deferred to Dr. Jones.
7:48:31 PM
ROXANNE JONES, MD, Secretary of the Board, Alaska Academy of
Family Physicians, explained that it was a combination and
briefly offered examples of residency timelines.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX pointed to the specific requirements of the
residency program and whether it was established by the
accreditor as opposed to statue. .
DR. JONES confirmed that was correct.
7:50:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS noted that Dr. Mitchell captured the
intent for residency in reference to the different tasks
performed.
7:51:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX expressed his uncertainty that establishing
this in statute would dictate the apprenticeship program for
industries, as that is established by unions, not state statute.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS clarified what he meant by
"apprenticeship," that there are standards and benefits from
learning on the job.
7:52:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE shared his concern that PAs might
tailor themselves to be in a particular practice areas based off
the collaboration agreement they have. According to the bill,
he opined that the PA should be in primary care.
7:54:39 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Carrick, Fields,
and Sumner voted in favor of Amendment 9. Representatives Prax,
Ruffridge, Saddler, and Wright voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 9 failed to be adopted by a vote of 3-4.
7:55:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS stated he would not offer Amendments 10
and 11.
7:55:34 PM
CHAIR SUMNER moved to adopt Amendment 12 to CSSB 115(HSS) AM, as
amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.17, Klein/Gunther, 5/7/24, which
read:
Page 1, line 1, following "physicians;":
Insert "relating to a physician assistant
licensure program for prison inmates; relating to
parole eligibility;"
Page 1, line 12:
Delete "and"
Page 2, line 4, following "agreement":
Insert "; and
(6) criteria for licensing prison inmates
under the program established by the Department of
Corrections under AS 33.30.192"
Page 5, following line 23:
Insert new bill sections to read:
"* Sec. 7. AS 33.16.090(a) is amended to read:
(a) A prisoner sentenced to an active term of
imprisonment of at least 181 days may, in the
discretion of the board, be released on discretionary
parole if the prisoner
(1) has served the amount of time specified
under (b) of this section or has completed the program
under AS 33.30.192 and is licensed as a physician
assistant under AS 08.64.107, except that
(A) a prisoner sentenced to one or more
mandatory 99-year terms under AS 12.55.125(a) or one
or more definite terms under AS 12.55.125(l) is not
eligible for consideration for discretionary parole;
(B) a prisoner is not eligible for
consideration of discretionary parole if made
ineligible by order of a court under AS 12.55.115;
(C) a prisoner imprisoned under
AS 12.55.086 is not eligible for discretionary parole
unless the actual term of imprisonment is more than
one year;
(D) a prisoner sentenced to a single
sentence within or below a presumptive range set out
in AS 12.55.125(c), (d)(2) - (4), (e)(3) and (4), or
(i) who has not been allowed by the three-judge panel
under AS 12.55.175 to be considered for discretionary
parole release is not eligible for consideration of
discretionary parole;
(E) a prisoner sentenced to a single
sentence, including a consecutive or partially
consecutive sentence, that is not eligible for a good
time deduction under AS 33.20.010(a)(3) and that has
not been allowed by the three-judge panel under
AS 12.55.175 to be considered for discretionary parole
release is not eligible for consideration of
discretionary parole; or
(2) is at least 60 years of age, has served
at least 10 years of a sentence for one or more crimes
in a single judgment, and has not been convicted of an
unclassified felony or a sexual felony as defined in
AS 12.55.185.
* Sec. 8. AS 33.30 is amended by adding a new
section to read:
Sec. 33.30.192. Physician assistant training
program. The department, in consultation with the
State Medical Board, shall establish a program that
allows prison inmates to pursue licensure as a
physician assistant under AS 08.64.107."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
CHAIR SUMNER explained that there was a provider shortage, and
the amendment is one way to address that.
7:56:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that there was also a shortage
of peace and police officers and noted the possibility to
entertain a conceptual amendment.
7:56:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
SENATOR TOBIN said that to be accredited, you must have an
established program in your facility, among other requirements.
7:58:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK noted a previous robust debate about
allowing prisoners tablets but that she appreciated the intent
of the amendment; however, she was not sure the body could make
a policy call of this magnitude.
7:59:15 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Fields, Carrick,
and Sumner voted in favor of Amendment 12. Representatives
Wright, Prax, Ruffridge, and Saddler voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 12 failed to be adopted by a vote of 3-4.
7:59:54 PM
CHAIR SUMNER stated he would not offer Amendment 13.
8:00:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 14 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.24, Gunther,
5/8/24, which read:
Page 2, line 27, following "number;":
Insert "and"
Page 2, line 31:
Delete "; and"
Insert "."
Page 3, lines 1 - 2:
Delete all material.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said the intent of the amendment was to
remove language that was "overly broad."
8:01:06 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:01 p.m. to 8:03 p.m.
8:03:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
SENATOR TOBIN explained "scope of practice" and that there are
regulations and oversights of the PA profession. She understood
the section was broad, but it was a "catch all" section that
ensured that care could be provided.
8:06:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER observed that the language was quite
broad and questioned who defined what was competent.
SENATOR TOBIN replied that the scope of practice was determined
by factors including policies and laws.
8:08:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX opined that there are two entities who will
make the determination: the judge or the lawyer. He added he
would be happy to let them make the decision as they are "more
competent than we are."
MS. FAYETTE noted the importance of the specific definitions of
regulations.
8:10:10 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Saddler, Ruffridge,
Fields, and Sumner voted in favor of Amendment 14.
Representatives Carrick, Prax, and Wright voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 14 was adopted by a vote of 4-3.
8:10:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 15 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.25, Gunther,
5/8/24, which read:
Page 2, line 3, following "(c)":
Insert "and (f)"
Page 3, lines 3 - 4:
Delete "by the board to practice in a new
practice area under (a)(5)"
Insert "under (a)(5) or (f)"
Page 3, line 24:
Delete "and"
Page 3, line 26, following "areas":
Insert "; and
(8) designate a collaborating physician as
the primary collaborating physician"
Page 3, line 27, following "or":
Insert "primary"
Page 3, following line 29:
Insert new subsections to read:
"(e) A physician assistant and primary
collaborating physician shall maintain a record on a
form provided by the department of the number of hours
of practice experience obtained by the physician
assistant. The form must include the
(1) area of practice specialty of the
collaborating physician; and
(2) hours completed by practice type.
(f) Upon the physician assistant's completion of
4,000 hours of practice experience, additional hours
required under (a)(5) of this section, or additional
hours required under this subsection, the primary
collaborating physician shall attest on a form
provided by the department that the physician
assistant is competent to practice without
supervision. If the primary collaborating physician
determines that the physician assistant is not
competent to practice without supervision, the board
shall require that the physician assistant practice
under a collaborative agreement for additional hours,
as determined by the board.
(g) A physician assistant is entitled to a
hearing conducted by the board to appeal a
determination by a primary collaborating physician
that the physician assistant is not competent to
practice without supervision. The physician assistant
may appeal an adverse decision of the board to a court
of competent jurisdiction. The board or court may
reverse the primary collaborating physician's
determination that the physician assistant is not
competent to practice without supervision if the board
or court finds that the primary collaborating
physician's determination was arbitrary and capricious
or without just cause.
(h) The board shall randomly audit three percent
of the physician assistants licensed under this
section to assess each physician assistant's
compliance with the requirements of this chapter."
Reletter the following subsection accordingly.
Page 3, line 31:
Delete "a collaborating physician"
Insert "one or more collaborating physicians"
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE noted the amendment was lengthy and
summarized that the intent of the amendment was to establish how
and what the hours accomplish.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
8:13:48 PM
SENATOR TOBIN confirmed that she worked with the amendment
sponsor and there would be no additional fiscal impact.
8:14:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered an assumption that the
collaborating physician was the employing physician. He noted
concern about the added responsibility on a physician who would
be made to determine who is competent, and that it was a
liability question.
DR. MITCHELL commented that the amendment provided sidebars,
extra supervision, and assurance that if there was independent
practice, the physician could evaluate the PA's abilities and
attest to them.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether physicians pass judgement
on their PAs currently.
DR. MITCHELL said she did not employ PAs, but she would presume
from her colleagues that if they did not feel the PA was
providing adequate care, they would request that person find
other employment.
8:18:11 PM
CHAIR SUMNER commented that if a PA was not working "shoulder to
shoulder" with a physician, that relationship would have less
value.
DR. MITCHELL opined that the amendment increases the value of
the agreement because it makes the PA supervisor be more
attentive to the skills and experience of the PA in that
environment.
8:19:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT removed his objection.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected.
8:19:55 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Ruffridge, Saddler,
Wright, Carrick, Fields, and Sumner voted in favor of Amendment
15. Representative Prax voted against it. Therefore, Amendment
15 failed to be adopted by a vote of 6-1.
8:20:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE stated he would not offer Amendment 16.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 17 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.27, Gunther,
5/8/24, which read:
Page 2, line 2:
Delete "4,000"
Insert "6,000"
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE summarized the amendment how it related
to amounts of hours without a collaborative agreement.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
8:23:06 PM
SENATOR TOBIN asked, "Do we have the right skills sets and
knowledge to determine what is the appropriate number of hours?"
She spoke to other states that are untethered, and she opined
that to remain competitive, 4,000 worked was a good pathway to
independence.
8:23:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked the amendment maker for
clarification that if a PA were to switch areas of practice,
they must have 6,000 additional hours.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained that 6,000 would be the
initial number of hours, and should the PA change practice
areas, they would need to go back into a collaborative agreement
for an additional 4,000 hours.
8:25:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE offered a conceptual amendment to
Amendment 17 that it would read: "page 3, line 4".
8:25:46 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:25 p.m. to 8:27 p.m.
8:27:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER announced there being no objection,
Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 17 was adopted.`
8:28:23 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:28 p.m. to 8:29 p.m.
8:29:20 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Fields, Ruffridge,
Saddler, Wright, Carrick, and Sumner voted in favor of Amendment
17, as amended. Representative Prax voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 17, as amended, was adopted by a vote of 6-
1.
8:29:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX moved to adopt Amendment 18 to CSSB 115(HSS)
AM, as amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.29, Gunther, 5/8/24, which
read:
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "and"
Page 1, line 2, following "policies":
Insert "; relating to internship and residency
requirements to practice medicine and osteopathy; and
relating to physician and osteopath specialty
designations"
Page 4, following line 13:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 4. AS 08.64.272 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(d) The board shall adopt regulations allowing a
physician or osteopath licensed under this chapter who
has completed a residency or internship in a
particular practice area to receive a license
endorsement designating the physician or osteopath as
specializing in that practice area."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 5, following line 31:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 9. AS 08.64.200(a)(2), 08.64.205(2),
08.64.225(a)(2)(A), and 08.64.225(c) are repealed."
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX explained that the amendment would remove
the medical residency requirements for medical doctors and
doctors of [osteopathic medicine]. He further noted a
transitional component, which would allow physicians in the
middle of a residency program to complete it.
8:30:32 PM
CHAIR SUMNER asked Representative Prax whether he would be
incentivized to complete a residency program if the requirement
went away.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said, "It would be up to them."
8:30:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said he opposed the amendment to maintain
public faith.
8:30:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
8:31:03 PM
SENATOR TOBIN said she did not have a comment.
8:31:18 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Prax and Wright
voted in favor of Amendment 18. Representatives Fields,
Ruffridge, Saddler, Carrick, and Sumner voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 18 failed to be adopted by a vote of 2-5.
8:31:50 PM
CHAIR SUMNER moved to adopt Amendment 16 to CSSB 115(HSS) AM, as
amended, labeled 33-LS0542\U.A.26, Gunther, 5/8/24, which read:
Page 5, lines 13 - 23:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
CHAIR SUMNER explained that amendment untethers PAs that are
providing services in correctional facilities, and the intent
would be that they have a place to get their hours without a
collaborative agreement.
8:32:42 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:32 p.m. to 8:33 p.m.
8:33:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
SENATOR TOBIN thanked the amendment maker for thinking about
prisoners, and offered her belief they should have access to
adequate care, but that the amendment created a two-tiered
system.
8:34:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented that he was not sure the bill
would prohibit a PA from working in a correctional facility, and
was not sure it was necessary unless there was an assumption the
PA would not have to go through the initial collaborative
agreement.
8:35:18 PM
CHAIR SUMNER said the intent of the amendment was to create a
"fast track" for work without a collaborative agreement.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER followed up about concerns with a two-
tiered system and that it could expose the state to litigation.
CHAIR SUMNER stated, "You need providers to provide care."
8:35:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX opined that if prisoners were polled, they
would welcome this service.
8:36:13 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Fields, Prax, and
Ruffridge voted in favor of Amendment 16. Representatives
Carrick, Saddler, Wright, and Sumner voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 16 failed to be adopted by a vote of 3-4.
8:37:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment
[19] to CSSB 115(HSS) AM, as amended, on page 2, line 10, to
delete "perform" and "interpret".
CHAIR SUMNER objected being it was past the amendment deadline
[and Conceptual Amendment 16 had not been previously submitted].
He then said it would "have to be the absolute last one."
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE expressed concern about the language
offered previously about a broad interpretation on performing
diagnostics. He expounded on training and interpretation of
types of diagnostics.
8:39:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT requested to hear from the bill sponsor.
MS. FAYETTE commented that the point of the bill is to increase
access to care and in rural areas, a PA may be the only person
who can provide it. She opined that it could put burdens on the
things PAs can do.
8:40:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK opposed the amendment. She said having
to see a physician to get a result read would be a hurdle to
many Alaskans. She reiterated that the intent of the
legislation is about untethering PAs, not about limiting their
scope of practice.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE responded that there is a process for a
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) waiver, which
provides "up or down" diagnoses without the very specific
language.
8:42:09 PM
DR. MITCHELL shared her interpretations and said that she agreed
with Representative Ruffridge about the performance of
diagnostic procedures.
8:44:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted that part of the challenge is
requiring the legislature to make judgements about who is
qualified to perform what kind of medical services.
8:45:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked Dr. Mitchell whether removal of the
words "perform" and "interpret" in the section would limit a PA
to conduct certain tests.
DR. MITCHELL deferred to Dr. Jones.
8:46:14 PM
DR. JONES replied yes, the PA could still do tests such as a
urine analysis through a CLIA waived test that provides a yes,
no, or algorithmic answer. Striking the words would not prevent
this interpretation, she confirmed.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether a CLIA waiver was something
that a PA could get a blanket waiver for or whether it was
limited to specific situations.
DR. JONES responded that a CLIA waiver is based on a clinic
obtaining a specific test type for any patient and is assigned
to the clinic.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK sought clarity about a PA obtaining a
CLIA waiver.
DR. JONES said she did not know what the baseline requirements
would be for a CLIA waiver status for a lab, as it required a
medical doctor to sign off.
8:48:30 PM
CHAIR SUMNER asked Representative Ruffridge for more
clarification on the words that would be removed.
8:49:01 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:49 p.m. to 8:51 p.m.
8:51:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE [moved to withdraw] Conceptual
Amendment [19]. [There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment
19 was withdrawn.]
8:51:11 PM
CHAIR SUMNER moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 4 to CSSB
115(HSS) AM, as amended, on page 2, line 11, following
"procedures", to insert "in compliance with regulation adopted
under AS08.64.106".
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected.
8:52:06 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:52 p.m. to 8:53 p.m.
8:53:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT removed his objection.
8:53:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected and commented that something was
already in regulation.
SENATOR TOBIN said that the amendment would add new subsections
to Alaska Statute and added clarity to the phrase that would be
inserted.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER removed his objection. There being no
further objection, Conceptual Amendment [19] was adopted.
8:55:13 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:55 p.m. to 8:56 p.m.
8:56:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report CSSB 115(HSS) AM, as
amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK objected for the purpose of discussion.
She thanked the PA and MDs that provided testimony as well as
the bill sponsor. She shared her thoughts that it was hard to
amend substantive bills this late in the session. She removed
her objection.
8:57:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected.
8:58:26 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Wright, Carrick,
Prax, Ruffridge, and Sumner voted in favor of the motion to
report CSSB 115(HSS) AM, as amended, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
Representative Saddler voted against it. Therefore, HCS CSSB
115(L&C) was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee by a vote of 5-1.
8:58:38 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
8:59 p.m.