10NR24 – MRF News Release – Meeting of the Minds 2010
10NR25 – MRF News Release – Traffic Fatalities Lowest Since 1950
10NR25 – MRF News Release – Traffic Fatalities Lowest Since 1950
10NR26 – MRF News Release – News from Washington
10NR26 – MRF News Release – News from Washington
10NR28 – MRF News Release – NHTSA "Highway Safety Facts" Released
10NR28 – MRF News Release – NHTSA “Highway Safety Facts” Released
Update On SB219 Brian Trauma 03-22-10
SB219 was heard again in the senate finance committee this morning.
Senator Charlie Huggins offered up an amendment to an amendment to remove the language that ABATE opposes, thanks in large part to the work and letters from Scott Hamman of Kenai ABATE.
Senator Donnie Olsen ask that the bill again be held so he can look further into the ramification of the mandatory helmet clause, would place on his constituents out in the bush where they do not have helmets readily available from purchase. This in my opinion a very good sign.
Boyd
Update on HB262 May is Motorcycle Awareness Month 03-18-10
HB262 – May Is Motorcycle Awareness Month Has passed it first hurdle in the House. With very high praise from the legislators HB262 was passed unanimously out of the House Transportation Committee on Iits way to the house for a vote on the floor.
03-19-10 I forgot to menstion in the earlier post that there was one admenment to this bill. It was amended to say Motorcycle and Motor-scooter Awareness Month. One of the legislators is a motor-scooter rider.
Juneau Trip Report Feb 10-12 2010
Juneau Report
Bills that I worked on while in the Capital
HB 181 Mandatory Headlight Bill
SB73 Mandatory Headlight Bill
SB219 Brain Trauma Bill – This bill has six to eight words that need to be removed because it is a back door to mandatory helmet laws. Scott Hamman found this and told me about the night before I left for Juneau.
HB328 Brain Trauma Bill dropped in the house while I was there.
I also touch lightly on the cell phone bills while I was there but they do not look like they are going to make it. The above bills pose more harm to us than passage of the cell phone bills.
I arrived on Wed. Feb 10 and met with Rep. Wes Keller from Wasilla, He has introduced HB 262 “Motorcycle Awareness Month”
I also met with Rep Herron’s (JUD) staff to discuss HB 181 and told them of our concerns of the brain trauma language coming from the senate bill.
I then spent the rest of my time making appointments with Senators to work on the senate bills
Later that night I met with Dan McCrummen and Bob Heflin. Dan is the President and Bob Is the Legislative Affairs Officer of Juneau ABATE. We discussed all of the legislation that we want to work on this year. Bob will join me in my meetings Thursday afternoon.
Thursday Feb 11.
Met with Rep Ramaras (Chair- JUD) Discussed HB 181, SB 73, SB 219. He told me he does not see 181 moving this year.
Met with Rep Gruensburg (JUD) staff. Discussed HB 181, SB 73, SB 219. While I was there a Blogger came in and interviewed me. During the interview Rep Gruensburg came into the office. He talked to the staff member and came out and grabbed me. He is a co-sponsor on 181. We had a real good talk about the safety aspect of the bill. While he did not come off his support of the bill, he did insist that I testify as to our concerns of the bill if it comes up for a hearing. In fact he said he was going to call me to insure that I know when it comes up.
That afternoon Bob and I met with the following:
Senator Steddman (Co-Chair Finance) Staff
Senator Thomas (FIN) Staff
Rep. Gatto (JUD)
Senator Olsen (FIN) Staff
Rep. Dahlstrum (JUD) Staff
Friday Feb 12.
I met with Rep. Kawasaki the sponsor of HB 181 and told him of our concerns with the bill. He told me that he was still going to push it and I can respect that. I did not have any thoughts that I would be able to change his mind. It was a courtesy visit anyway.
I met with Rep. Lynn (JUD)
Met with Senator Menard for a courtesy visit as she is the sponsor of SB 73
Met with Senator McGuire’s Staff she sponsored SB 219. We had a real good chat about the language. However we could not get it changed because it is schedualed for a hearing Monday Feb 15 at 1:30pm I will be there to testify. I also found out that they plan on changing the language of the bill to mirror HB328.
Costs for the trip
Airfare $284.95
Room $132.16
Car $143.57
Total $560.68
Boyd
Here is a vidio of what I was explaining to the legisators about the Headlight bill
http://www.viddler.com/explore/AKRaven/videos/297/
HB328 & SB219 Brain Trauma Bills
These Bills are different from each other in wording, but our objections are the same in both bills.
I believe that HB328 will be the laungage of both bills when all is said and done. Senator McGuire’s staff told me that they will be offering the lauguage of HB328 into her bill SB219. The senate bill will become SB219R. Because of this I have not included the laugage of SB219
I’ve marked through the lauguage that we object through in each bill
HOUSE BILL NO. 328
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE – SECOND SESSION
BY REPRESENTATIVES JOHNSON, Dahlstrom, Peggy Wilson, Herron, Cissna, Buch
Introduced: 2/5/10
Referred: Health and Social Services, Finance
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
1 “An Act establishing a traumatic or acquired brain injury program and registry within
2 the Department of Health and Social Services; and relating to medical assistance
3 coverage for traumatic or acquired brain injury services.”
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
5 * Section 1. AS 18.15.360(a) is amended to read:
6 (a) The department is authorized to collect, analyze, and maintain databases of
7 information related to
8 (1) risk factors identified for conditions of public health importance;
9 (2) morbidity and mortality rates for conditions of public health
10 importance;
11 (3) community indicators relevant to conditions of public health
12 importance; [AND]
13 (4) longitudinal data on traumatic or acquired brain injury from
14 the registry established under AS 47.80.500(c)(1); and
Page 2
1 (5) any other data needed to accomplish or further the mission or goals
2 of public health or provide essential public health services and functions.
3 * Sec. 2. AS 47.07.030(b) is amended to read:
4 (b) In addition to the mandatory services specified in (a) of this section and the
5 services provided under (d) of this section, the department may offer only the
6 following optional services: case management services for traumatic or acquired
7 brain injury; case management and nutrition services for pregnant women; personal
8 care services in a recipient’s home; emergency hospital services; long-term care
9 noninstitutional services; medical supplies and equipment; advanced nurse practitioner
10 services; clinic services; rehabilitative services for children eligible for services under
11 AS 47.07.063, substance abusers, and emotionally disturbed or chronically mentally ill
12 adults; targeted case management services; inpatient psychiatric facility services for
13 individuals age 65 or older and individuals under age 21; psychologists’ services;
14 clinical social workers’ services; midwife services; prescribed drugs; physical therapy;
15 occupational therapy; chiropractic services; low-dose mammography screening, as
16 defined in AS 21.42.375(e); hospice care; treatment of speech, hearing, and language
17 disorders; adult dental services; prosthetic devices and eyeglasses; optometrists’
18 services; intermediate care facility services, including intermediate care facility
19 services for the mentally retarded; skilled nursing facility services for individuals
20 under age 21; and reasonable transportation to and from the point of medical care.
21 * Sec. 3. AS 47.07.030 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
22 (e) In this section,
23 (1) “case management services for traumatic or acquired brain injury”
24 means
25 (A) care and service coordination to assist individuals and
26 families affected by traumatic or acquired brain injury to minimize the
27 disabling effects of the injury;
28 (B) collaboration with providers and other organizations to
29 expand and strengthen the local capacity for delivery of needed services,
30 including housing, for the care and support of a recipient who is diagnosed
31 with traumatic or acquired brain injury;
Page 3
1 (C) participation in planning and accessing services within the
2 community for the care and support of a recipient who is diagnosed with
3 traumatic or acquired brain injury;
4 (D) the provision of information, referral, and case consultation
5 services to a recipient who is diagnosed with traumatic or acquired brain
6 injury;
7 (2) “traumatic or acquired brain injury” has the meaning given in
8 AS 47.80.590.
9 * Sec. 4. AS 47.07 is amended by adding a new section to read:
10 Sec. 47.07.046. Traumatic or acquired brain injury services. (a) The
11 department shall provide traumatic or acquired brain injury services under a waiver in
12 accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1396 – 1396p (Title XIX, Social Security Act), this chapter,
13 and regulations adopted under this chapter, if the department has received approval
14 from the federal government and the department has appropriations allocated for the
15 purpose. In addition to the annual assessment required in (b) of this section, the
16 department shall establish in regulation additional standards for eligibility and
17 payment for the services.
18 (b) Before the department may terminate payment for services provided under
19 (a) of this section, the recipient must have had an annual assessment to determine
20 whether the recipient continues to meet the standards established by regulation under
21 (a) of this section.
22 (c) In this section, “traumatic or acquired brain injury” has the meaning given
23 in AS 47.80.590.
24 * Sec. 5. AS 47.80 is amended by adding new sections to read:
25 Article 5A. Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury.
26 Sec. 47.80.500. Statewide traumatic or acquired brain injury program. (a)
27 A statewide traumatic or acquired brain injury program is established in the
28 department for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness and availability of
29 information and services for the prevention and treatment of traumatic or acquired
30 brain injury in the state. The department shall consult and collaborate with state
31 agencies, private nonprofit entities, and other organizations in the state that provide
Page 4
1 brain injury services in implementing all aspects of the program.
2 (b) The program established under this section must include
3 (1) review and consideration of data collected under (c)(1) of this
4 section;
5 (2) supervision and coordination of services provided to persons with
6 traumatic or acquired brain injury;
7 (3) evaluation of standards and laws pertaining to the prevention of
8 traumatic or acquired brain injury and to the treatment, care, and support of persons
9 with traumatic or acquired brain injury;
10 (4) assessment of the availability of acute and long-term treatment,
11 care, and support options in and outside the state for persons with traumatic or
12 acquired brain injury;
13 (5) evaluation of the need for and scope of community services for
14 persons with traumatic or acquired brain injury throughout the state;
15 (6) investigation of the models of service coordination that can be
16 replicated at a local level in the state;
17 (7) coordination and expansion of publicly and privately funded
18 residential and nonresidential acute and long-term services to persons with traumatic
19 or acquired brain injury, including education, referral, and home and community-
20 based services;
21 (8) facilitation of admissions to and discharges from acute and long-
22 term care facilities for the treatment of traumatic or acquired brain injury;
23 (9) identification and description of available treatment and care
24 facilities of all types for persons with traumatic or acquired brain injury based on
25 length of stay, patient capacity, available services, and barriers encountered to
26 community placement after discharge;
27 (10) a plan that describes recommendations for the development of a
28 statewide service delivery continuum of comprehensive rehabilitative, supportive
29 living, and community programs.
30 (c) The department shall
31 (1) establish and implement a traumatic or acquired brain injury
Page 5
1 registry of information from service providers that includes
2 (A) health status, including age, cause, and severity of injury
3 and region of brain affected;
4 (B) acute recovery period;
5 (C) location of the
6 (i) event that caused the injury;
7 (ii) hospital treating the injury; and
8 (iii) residence of the person with traumatic or acquired
9 brain injury;
10 (D) access to and use of rehabilitation services, including
11 behavioral, vocational, and long-term care services;
12 (E) access to and use of neuropsychological assessment;
13 (F) status of long-term recovery at five-year intervals;
14 (G) financial and social effects on family;
15 (H) cost associated with services;
16 (2) establish standards and recommendations for improvement of
17 prevention, assessment, treatment, and care of persons with traumatic or acquired
18 brain injury in the state;
19 (3) contract with service providers and qualified entities to carry out
20 the purposes of this section;
21 (4) provide a standardized reporting form for use in gathering data for
22 the registry.
23 (d) In (c) of this section, “service provider” means a public or private entity
24 that provides health education, group shelter, or criminal justice services to individuals
25 in the state.
26 Sec. 47.80.590. Definition. In AS 47.80.500 – 47.80.590, “traumatic or
27 acquired brain injury” means an insult from physical force or internal damage to the
28 brain or its coverings, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, that produces an
29 altered mental state and that results in a decrease in cognitive, behavioral, emotional,
30 or physical functioning.
This above Highlighted laugage is what would allow them to write helmet laws if the laugage we want struck out is still in the bill when it is passed
HB181 & SB73 Mandatory Headlight Bills
HOUSE BILL NO. 181
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE – FIRST SESSION
BY REPRESENTATIVES KAWASAKI, Gruenberg
Introduced: 3/12/09
Referred: Transportation, Judiciary
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
“An Act relating to the use of headlights when operating a motor vehicle.”
1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
2. * Section 1. AS 28.35 is amended by adding a new section to read:
3. Sec. 28.35.195. Use of headlights required. A person may not operate a
4. motor vehicle on a highway unless the headlight system required by law for that motor
5. vehicle is illuminated.
6. A person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction.
*
*
*
*
*
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 73(JUD)
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE – FIRST SESSION
BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Offered: 3/20/09
Referred: Finance
Sponsor(s): SENATORS MENARD, Paskvan
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
1. “An Act relating to the use of headlights when operating a motor vehicle; and providing
2. for an effective date.”
3. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
4. * Section 1. AS 28.35 is amended by adding a new section to read:
5. Sec. 28.35.195. Use of headlights required. A person may not operate a
6. motor vehicle on a highway unless the headlight system required by law for that motor
7. vehicle is illuminated. A person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction.
8. * Sec. 2. This Act takes effect October 1, 2009.
HB328 Brain Trauma UPDATE 03-16-10
Having just returned from testifying at the House Health and Social Services Committee meeting I would like to report that the language in the bill that we felt was a backdoor into Helmet Laws has been removed. I would like to thank Co-Chair Rep. Wes Keller of Wasilla for making the amendment that removed the 11 words that could have led to new mandatory helmet laws. I will bee posting the new bill language as soon has they get it posted on the Legislatures Website.
We still need to work on the Senate Bill still and get it removed from it too.
Boyd