2016-01-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 1615
SB 148                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 148 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
            "An Act relating to reporting of workplace injuries to                                                             
          the division of labor standards and safety."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce                                                                  
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                

2016-01-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 1616
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Labor and Workforce                                                                     
  Development                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Meyer:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to reporting of workplace                                                       
injuries to the Division of Labor Standards and Safety (Division).                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The bill would require an employer to promptly report to the Division                                                           
accidents that result in an employee losing an eye or suffering an                                                              
amputation. Employers are already required to report workplace                                                                  
accidents that result in fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The bill is necessary to ensure that the State's occupational safety and                                                        
health standards are in compliance with federal law. Additionally, the                                                          
bill will help ensure that the Division is promptly notified of serious                                                         
workplace accidents so that it may conduct investigations and prevent                                                           
similar accidents.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor