Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/03/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB72 | |
| HB200 | |
| HB413 | |
| HB326 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 200 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 326 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 413 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 72 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 200
"An Act relating to the presumption of coverage for a
workers' compensation claim for disability as a result
of certain diseases for certain occupations."
2:16:27 PM
Co-Chair Meyer MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #1, 25-LS0748\M.4,
Bailey, 2/28/08 (Copy on File).
Vice-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED.
Ms. Armstrong explained that Amendment #1 removes the
section that provides a presumption for contagious diseases,
requires annual exams for the first seven years of
employment, and clarifies that the seven years of
firefighting service must take place in Alaska. Co-Chair
Meyer added that many states do not cover infectious
diseases. Ms. Armstrong elaborated that a review of the
statutes of other states revealed that infections diseases
are being added.
2:19:57 PM
Ms. Armstrong reported that the Alaska Municipal League
Joint Insurance Association (AMLJIA), which covers
municipalities, supports the amendment because it narrows
down the class of people covered under HB 200. Previously,
the bill would have covered fire firefighters, peace
officers, emergency medical and rescue personnel as well as
others, making it a large group. Co-Chair Meyer referenced
the letter from AMLJIA (Copy on File).
REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM, SPONSOR, spoke to the bill.
She preferred the original version of HB 200, but was
willing to support the amendment in the interest of moving
the bill forward. She thought future studies would show that
the cost for covering a broader range of workers is less
than some believe, but understood that the change was a
policy call of the present Legislature. Representative
Hawker shared Representative Dahlstrom's view and thought
the bill, though compromised, was acceptable. Co-Chair Meyer
concurred.
Vice-Chair Stoltze stated that he preferred the original
bill and was unhappy that AMLJIA was not present.
2:23:44 PM
Representative Thomas commented that the Committee could
vote the amendment down and have AMLJIA come to work further
on the bill. He agreed with Representative Stotlz that they
should be present for the discussion.
Ms. Armstrong stated for the record that Amendment #1 was
not brought forward by AMLJIA.
Vice-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being no
further OBJECTION, Amendment #1 was ADOPTED.
2:26:08 PM
Representative Kelly advocated for other workers with
dangerous jobs and stated his concern with protecting only
certain groups. He said he would not be supporting the bill.
Co-Chair Meyer referred to indeterminate fiscal notes. Vice-
Chair Stoltze wondered if the amendment changed the nature
of the fiscal notes.
2:29:38 PM
Representative Nelson stated for the record that she thought
it very unfair that another indeterminate fiscal note
attached to a minority bill protecting families had not been
acceptable. She asserted that the indeterminate notes
attached to HB 200 should be treated in the same manner. Co-
Chair Meyer thought the note attached to HB 200 was truly
indeterminate as the diseases could not be predicted,
whereas the other note could be quantified.
Representative Nelson stressed that she does not have a
problem with the bill, but protested the double standards
shown in the Committee regarding fiscal notes. Co-Chair
Meyer said there was no intent to favor one bill over
another.
Co-Chair Chenault concurred. He wanted to see indeterminate
fiscal notes dealt with better. He promised Representative
Nelson to look more closely at all indeterminate notes. He
thought HB 200 was unusual and had few risks.
2:33:36 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to report CS HB 200(FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with new
indeterminate fiscal note by the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development and new indeterminate fiscal note by
the Department of Administration. There being NO OBJECTION,
it was so ordered.
CS HB 200(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with new indeterminate fiscal note
by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and new
indeterminate fiscal note by the Department of
Administration.
2:35:26 PM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|