HB 123 - EXEMPT VOL. SKI PATROL FROM MINIMUM WAGE Number 0053 CHAIRMAN ROKEBERG announced the committee's first order of business is HB 123, "An Act exempting individuals who provide ski patrol services on a voluntary basis from the requirement for payment of minimum wage and overtime compensation; and providing for an effective date." He noted the existence of a new committee substitute (CS), Version H, labeled 1-LS0577\H, Cramer, 3/11/99. The chairman stated this version comes to the committee courtesy of the Department of Labor and he invited Mr. Perkins forward. Number 0101 DWIGHT PERKINS, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Labor, came forward. He noted the committee's previous discussion of HB 123 [March 10, 1999] and mentioned his further discussion with Mr. Carr of the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour section in Anchorage. Mr. Perkins indicated the department is in favor of exempting volunteer ski patrollers from potential liability regarding wage and overtime hour laws, in light of the great service they perform and the desire expressed for this exemption by the ski patrollers and the committee. The department thinks an appropriate fit is in subsection (16) [AS 23.10.055(16)] concerning emergency medical services, rather than as an additional subsection (17). The department would encourage the committee to accept this and move forward. Section 2 of Version H reads: * Sec. 2. AS 23.10.055(16) is amended to read: (16) an individual who (A) provides emergency medical services only on a voluntary basis; (B) [OR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO] serves with a full-time fire department only on a voluntary basis; or (C) provides ski patrol services on a voluntary basis. MR. PERKINS commented, in addition, the department has broadened the entire issue regarding nonprofits in the language before the committee [Section 1, subsection (6)]. He indicated he believes Version H both accomplishes the department's goals regarding the problem of nonprofits and assists with the ski patrol issue. Number 0211 CHAIRMAN ROKEBERG confirmed the language in subsection (6) is unchanged from the previous version [Version G], and the ski patrollers have been added as a new portion rather than as a new subsection. Chairman Rokeberg mentioned he felt particularly proud having this bill in hand after events the previous Friday at Alyeska Ski Resort [avalanche, March 12, 1999]. The chairman asked if there were further questions or comments, noting he would entertain a motion. REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS confirmed from Mr. Perkins that the Department of Labor is in full support of the legislation. Number 0287 CHAIRMAN ROKEBERG confirmed Mr. Ross in Anchorage has seen Version H of HB 123 and finds it acceptable [Chris Ross, Alaska Division Director, National Ski Patrol]. Chairman Rokeberg confirmed Mr. Carr in Anchorage [Department of Labor] did not feel the need to testify. Confirming there was no other testimony, the chairman closed the public hearing on HB 123. Number 0359 REPRESENTATIVE HALCRO made a motion to move the proposed CS for HB 123 out of committee with the attached zero fiscal note and individual recommendations. There being objections, CSHB 123(L&C) moved out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.