2019-02-20                     House Journal                      Page 0190
HB 68                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 68 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to the division of labor standards and safety;                                                            
     relating to the division of workers' compensation; establishing the                                                        
     division of workers' safety and compensation; and providing for                                                            
     an effective date."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                                                
Finance Committees.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development                                                                                
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 19 follows:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to two divisions within                                                         
the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The bill would merge the Division of Labor Standards and Safety with                                                            
the Division of Workers' Compensation as of July 1, 2019. The new                                                               
division would be called the Division of Workers' Safety and                                                                    

2019-02-20                     House Journal                      Page 0191
Compensation and would administer the same programs as are                                                                      
currently administered by the divisions of Labor Standards and Safety                                                           
and Workers' Compensation. This bill would improve fiscal                                                                       
management within the Department of Labor and Workforce                                                                         
Development and allow for efficiencies through management and                                                                   
administrative restructuring and improved coordination of service                                                               
delivery.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor"