Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/08/2018 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB105 | |
| SB155 | |
| SB116 | |
| HB126 | |
| SJR12 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 126-ORGANIZED MILITIA: WORKERS COMPENSATION
2:59:29 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HB 126. [CSHB 126 (MLV) was before the
committee.]
2:59:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TUCK, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 126, introduced the legislation speaking
to the following sponsor statement:
The Alaska State Legislature and Department of
Military and Veterans' Affairs have been working
together to modernize the 1955 Alaska Military Code by
providing statutory changes that will better serve our
Alaska organized militia. House Bill 126 would expand
workers' compensation coverage to the organized
militia while they are participating training
exercises. Currently, Alaska statutes already provides
workers' compensation coverage during active state
service, but not during training. By expending this
protection, we could potentially provide a fiscally
significant coverage and save the state money in the
future. This issue came to light during an incident
when a member of the Alaska State Defense Force
suffered an injury during a training exercise that led
to his inability to work. Since workers' compensation
was not available, this injury ultimately cost the
state twice the amount of the entire annual budget of
the Alaska State Defense Force. The Risk Management
Division of the Alaska Department of Administration
estimates there would be little to no additional cost
to cover the Alaska State Defense Force members under
existing state workers' compensation policies. As we
face tight fiscal times, it is important that we are
taking steps to ensure cost savings where we can and
pass responsible legislation that will protect
Alaskans.
3:01:42 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked who other than the National Guard would be
involved in the Alaska militia.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said it's primarily the Alaska State Defense
Force. The National Guard doesn't do any training that needs to
be done by the state.
SENATOR STEVENS asked for an explanation of the Alaska State
Defense Force.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said the group has about 11 members under
the authority of the adjutant general who can be called in for
disasters or safety of a community. They're not necessarily
being called in by the president.
SENATOR STEVENS requested follow up on the question of the cost
[to cover injuries during training compared to coverage under]
workers' compensation.
3:03:01 PM
KENDRA KLOSTER, Staff, Representative Tuck, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that the state settled
the case of the member injured during training and paid double
what it would have been under workers' compensation. She
deferred any further explanation of cost related to the State
Defense Force budget to Mr. Doehl.
3:04:29 PM
BOB DOEHL, Deputy Director, Department of Military & Veterans
Affairs (DMVA), JBER, Alaska, explained that when litigation
ensues the plaintiff can get money for things he/she cannot get
in a workers' compensation proceeding, which causes costs to
spike exponentially.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if there have been cases in addition to
the one the sponsor mentioned.
MR. DOEHL said that case is the only reportable Alaska State
Defense Force case that resulted in a claim. However, up until
about two years ago there were only about 50 members of the ASDF
who were actively participating. With increased numbers there is
increased exposure for injuries during training.
SENATOR MICCICHE summarized that less than 100 members train two
days a month and run exercises four days a year.
MR. DOEHLE said that's generally the case. When members are
called up for active duty they are under workers compensation.
SENATOR MEYER asked how often members have been called to active
duty.
MR. DOEHL said up until this year just small groups were called
up to do things like shelter relief management during wildland
fires. This year a team was called up for active duty and
deployed to Puerto Rico to provide communications support after
the hurricane. They were state employees, but FEMA is providing
reimbursement for their wages and benefits.
SENATOR MEYER asked if there are close to 120 members currently.
MR. DOEHL said he understood the force is closer to 120 members
than 111. He was confident it was more than 110.
SENATOR MEYER said he mentioned it because the fiscal note
identifies 76 members.
MR. DOEHL said the force has been growing since the bill was
introduced last year.
3:09:22 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO found no one who wished to comment on HB 126 and
closed public testimony. She looked to the will of the
committee.
3:09:49 PM
SENATOR MEYER moved to report HB 126 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR COSTELLO announced that without objection, CSHB 126(MLV)
moves from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.