Senate committee advances bill to extend sunsets for three professional boards

Senate Bill 80, which would extend the statutory sunset dates for three professional boards, was reported out of the Alaska Senate Labor and Commerce Committee after brief staff remarks and board updates on Feb. 12.

Sevea Bieber, staff to Senator Bjorkman, told the committee that "SB 80 extends the sunset date of 3 boards, the marijuana control board, board of massage therapy, and big game commercial services board." Bieber said the 2023 audits concluded the boards "have operated in the public's interest by actively amending regulations and enhancing public safety." The committee had invited the legislative auditor and licensing officials to answer questions.

Bailey Stewart, chair of the Marijuana Control Board, described recent board work since the audit and told the committee she recently became chair on Feb. 6. Stewart said the board is reviewing handler-permit documentation and waiting on implementation of a new licensing and enforcement system; "that is my current understanding," she said. Brittany Suava of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office said she could "look into it and provide more information." Chris Curtis, the legislative auditor, and Sylvan Raub, director of corporations, business and professional licensing, were present for questions.

No public testimony was offered during the hearing. A committee member moved to report the bill from committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note; the chair asked, "Is there any objection?" and, "Seeing and hearing none," the committee moved SB 80 out of committee.

The committee recorded no roll-call vote in the transcript; the record shows the bill was reported from committee by voice approval and paperwork was signed following the motion. The committee then took a brief recess before proceeding to the next agenda item.