Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/15/1994 03:00 PM House L&C
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 290 - EXEMPT SPORTS OFFICIALS FROM WORKERS COMP Number 060 REP. MULDER presented HB 290 and offered the following sponsor statement: Recently, the Department of Labor, Division of Workers Compensation, has determined that amateur sports officials must be covered by worker's compensation policies under a ranking of extremely high risk. This decision, according to sports officials' associations, will cause sports organizations which contract with referees, time keepers, and line judges, to pay anywhere between 17 and 54% of their compensation for officiating to cover worker's compensation premiums. HB 290 is designed to eliminate this problem by exempting amateur sports officials from worker's compensation coverage as we do other contractual groups. Worker's compensation laws were designed to provide medical and income replacement for injured workers. Whereas few, if any, amateur sports officials are injured while officiating, the current high insurance premiums do not accurately reflect the amount of risk they experience as officials. HB 290 is supported by sporting associations, officials' groups and officials themselves throughout the state. Included in the packets are letters of support from these groups. This is a serious problem facing amateur sports in Alaska and threatens their future existence. HB 290 will eliminate this problem and allow the greatest number of people to play and officiate the games that they love to be involved in. Number 158 REP. SITTON asked if there was any position paper from the Department of Labor. Number 165 REP. MULDER responded no. Number 179 REP. SITTON stated he sees a disturbing tendency by the administration not to comment on legislation that affect the people of Alaska. Number 180 CHAIRMAN HUDSON noted that in the past the administration has provided some statement of support or nonsupport on bills. Number 193 BEN ESCH testified via teleconference in support of HB 290. Mr. Esch stated this bill is the result of an audit that concluded that since the Anchorage softball association contracted the umpires and they didn't have insurance the association was to pay insurance. MR. ESCH noted that the biggest problem he sees is the rates charged by insurance companies. MR. ESCH noted that local referees, umpires and time keepers are being charged the same worker's compensation rates as are being charged to major league baseball refs, umpires and time keepers. Number 285 BRUCE KREMENER testified via teleconference in support of HB 290. He added that the 17% rate is too high and will end up shutting down amateur sports in Alaska. Number 311 DON SHANNON testified via teleconference in support of HB 290. He stated that he referees as a hobby not for the money, and the amount of insurance is too high for people like him to continue. Number 330 REP. SITTON asked Mr. Shannon if in his fifteen years of experience had he ever seen anyone be injured. Number 340 MR. SHANNON replied no. Number 360 BILL BRODERSON testified via teleconference in support of HB 290. He stated that any raise in insurance will effectively raise his rates to officiate. This will necessarily be born out by the players. Number 360 MIKE BORGEFORD, Mat-Su Softball Association, testified via teleconference in support of HB 290. Mr. Borgeford stated he is a player, sponsor, and has helped out with tournaments in Mat-Su. He stated he supports the testimony of Mr. Esch and Mr. Kremener. MR. BORGEFORD noted that the scorekeepers receive $5.00 a game and if they worked every game possible during a season the total compensation per season would be $350.00. The minimum workman's compensation insurance currently is $79.95 for a scorekeeper, which is 22% of their wage. MR. BORGEFORD stated that the Mat-Su Softball Association's workers compensation bill last season was over $4,000.00. Since there are only 35 teams in the association, that results in over $100.00 per team. MR. BORGEFORD concluded by saying that historically injuries have been few to referees and other officials. Passage of HB 290 would be good for kids and adults to help keep them involved in sports. Number 390 BOB SIMS, President, Juneau Douglas Officials Association, testified in support of HB 290. Mr. Sims dittoed the previous supportive testimony. Number 429 REP. PORTER moved HB 290 with individual recommendations and a zero fiscal note. No objections were heard; it was so ordered.
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