House Finance advances SB80 extending four professional boards; AMCO funding and enforcement questioned

The House Finance Committee moved Senate Bill 80 out of committee on Thursday, May 8, 2025, advancing a measure that backdates and re‑extends four state professional licensing boards. Senator Jesse Bjorkman, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure re‑extends the board of massage therapy, the Marijuana Control Board, the Alaska Commission on Aging and the Big Game Commercial Services Board and backdates the extensions to June 2024.

The bill is a housekeeping item, Bjorkman said, and follows audits that concluded the boards “operated in the public’s interest by actively amending regulations, conducting meetings in an effective manner, and enhancing public safety.”

Why it matters: The extensions preserve state oversight for the named licensing programs; testimony and committee questions also highlighted budgetary and enforcement issues tied to one of the boards, drawing legislative attention to how licensing programs are funded and how enforcement is structured.

Committee members flagged a $19.1 million general fund appropriation noted in a written explanation from the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office. Kevin Richard, director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office, told the committee the appropriation is tied to chapter 9 of the 2021 session laws (SB55) and the state’s decision to make a full‑year employer contribution to the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). “This 19.1 general fund appropriation … is related to the impacts of chapter 9 SL 2021, which was SB55, full year contribution to PERS from 2021,” Richard said. He explained the legislature chose to cover the employer PERS contribution from the general fund rather than through licensee fees.

Committee members also pressed AMCO about enforcement authority and whether AMCO investigators operate under the Alaska State Troopers (DPS). Representative Ballard asked whether investigators carry the same responsibilities and authorities they would have had under DPS and whether they are required to wait for law enforcement to effect arrests. Richard replied that AMCO enforcement officers “are authorized to carry firearms, and they do have certain law enforcement capabilities. However, generally, we are focusing on the enforcement of the statutes and regulations and not arresting.” Representative Ballard said he would follow up to verify exactly what arrest powers, if any, AMCO investigators possess and whether those officers previously reported to DPS.

Action taken: Representative Josephson moved SB80 (version 34 LS0416N) out of House Finance with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. The chair asked for objections; when none were raised, the committee advanced the bill. Representative Josephson made the motion on the record and the committee proceeded without recorded opposition.

The committee then closed discussion on SB80 and moved on to other agenda items.

(Ending) Senator Bjorkman thanked the committee for its time before the panel turned to House Bill 73, the complex care residential homes measure.