Legislature(2017 - 2018)ADAMS ROOM 519
03/27/2018 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation: Commissioner, Department of Revenue: Sheldon Fisher | |
| HB233 | |
| HB303 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 233 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 303 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 303
"An Act relating to workers' compensation benefits for
the rehabilitation and reemployment of injured
employees."
3:10:34 PM
Representative Wilson MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee
substitute for HB 303, Work Draft (30-GH2709\J, Wallace
3/16/18). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
3:12:11 PM
MARIE MARX, DIRECTOR, WORKER'S COMPENSATION, DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, there was only one change.
It inserted language that the one-year time limit on
benefits paid before parties agreed to a training plan.
3:13:32 PM
HEIDI DRYGAS, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, introduced herself and indicated
that Ms. Marx would review the presentation.
Ms. Marx introduced the PowerPoint presentation:
"Workers' Compensation Reemployment Benefits: HB303,House F
inance Committee March 22, 2018" (copy on file).
Ms. Marx slide 2: "What is Worker's Compensation?"
A system of insurance that protects workers and employ
ers from some of the losses caused by on-the-job accide
nts and job-related illnesses.
Ms. Marx slide 3: "The Grand Bargain."
An employer provides prompt, necessary medical and
wage loss benefits to an injured worker for a work
related injury.
In exchange, the injured worker receives limited
benefits and gives up the right to sue the employer.
Ms. Marx slide 4: "Mission."
To ensure the quick, efficient, fair and predictable
delivery of indemnity, medical, and vocational
rehabilitation benefits to injured workers at a reason
able cost to employers
Ms. Marx slide 5: "Benefits Provided."
?Medical Care
?Indemnity (Wage Loss) Benefits
?Death Benefits
?Reemployment (Retraining) Benefits
Ms. Marx reviewed slide 6: "Reemployment Benefits."
Intended to return an injured worker to work when the
worker cannot return to the job of injury or to jobs
for which the worker has relevant training or experien
ce.
Ms. Marx moved to slide 11: "Alaska Reemployment Benefits
Flow Chart: Current Law." She stressed that the bill did
not address instances where an injured worker returned to
work and received medical care. The retraining benefits
were related to situations where an injured worker was off
work for at least 90 consecutive days, and a doctor opined
that they could not return to their job of injury or other
relevant jobs.
3:15:23 PM
Ms. Marx explained that the bill was introduced because of
current challenges. She reviewed a list of challenges on
slide 7: "Current Challenges." She read the slide:
?Mandatory reemployment benefits eligibility
evaluations
?Maximum plan cost of $13,300
?Retraining plans focus on quickest return to work
option,
regardless of worker's interest in that vocational
goal
?Declining pool of rehabilitation specialists
?No rehabilitation specialist fee schedule
Ms. Marx reviewed the benefits of HB 303 on slide 8: "HB
303." She read the slide:
?Improves the delivery of reemployment benefits to
injured workers
?Provides eligible employees with more choices in
reemployment goals and plans
?Encourages injured employees' early return to work
?Helps employers control costs
3:17:55 PM
Representative Guttenberg queried the number of individuals
who were hurt on the job and not eligible.
Ms. Marx explained that one of the provisions of the bill
would no longer permit an injured worker to settle
reemployment benefits with their employer. She stated that
the following slides showed the statistics about the policy
call.
Ms. Marx pointed to slide 9: "Reemployment Benefits
Eligibility Statistics FY 17."
?564injured workers were referred for a reemployment
benefits eligibility evaluation
?148injured workers were determined eligible
for reemployment benefits
?14injured workers completed reemployment plans
Ms. Marx turned to slide 10: "Reemployment Benefits
Settlement Statistics FY 17."
164injured workers settled reemployment benefits
48 of those injured workers settled reemployment
benefits before an eligibility determination was made
80 of those injured workers settled reemployment
benefits before completing a retraining plan
36 of those injured workers settled reemployment
benefits after being found ineligible for benefit
3:22:00 PM
Representative Guttenberg asked about the change. He wanted
to understand that instead of the money going to the
individual it would go to the school. He noted that much of
the controversy was that the injured worker needed money to
pay their mortgages. The person took the benefit money but
did not use the money for its intended use. .
Ms. Marx explained that it allowed an injury worker to
receive the benefit.
Representative Guttenberg wanted to confirm that the lump
sum would not be paid to an individual.
3:26:08 PM
Co-Chair Foster OPENED Public Testimony.
3:26:59 PM
KAYLA KADE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), was a
vocational rehabilitation specialist. She did not agree
with some of the current regulations in place. She did not
agree with paying an individual lump sum.
3:31:04 PM
DEBBIE EVEN, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition of the bill. She disagreed with the provision
that did not allow for a lump sum to be distributed.
Representative Wilson asked if Ms. Even would getting a sum
of money plus help with schooling.
Ms. Evan decided to settle with Worker's Compensation
because of the time frame.
3:33:05 PM
CYNTHIA BRADLEY, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
opposed the legislation. She was injured on the job at the
end of 2011. She settled her claim. She disagreed with the
statistic provided by the department. She received a lump
sum settlement. She indicated she had been making $50 per
hour at the job where she was injured. She was trained for
a job where she only made $18.
3:37:25 PM
GRETCHEN CUSACK, ALASKA INTEGRATED CARE ACTIONS, EAGLE
RIVER (via teleconference), opposed HB 303. She relayed
that there were many misconceptions. She provided some of
her background and was well-versed in the field. She
appreciated a couple of the changes.
Co-Chair Foster encouraged additional testimony.
3:44:22 PM
Representative Wilson asked how much it took for a worker
to have a plan made up and to follow through to succession.
Ms. Cusack thought it would be difficult to say because of
several factors. Plans could range from $3000 to $20,000. A
person needed to be medically stable. She asked the
committee to be aware of the complexity of each case.
3:46:05 PM
Representative Guttenberg asked whether all rehabilitation
specialists were the same. He asked how to set the rates.
He wondered if it was by plan or qualifications.
Commissioner Drygas responded that the specialists were
required to have master's degrees. She stated that the
department could receive different reports from different
specialists.
Ms. Marx responded that one of the things the system
struggles with was that a specialist might not meet the
statutory requirement. Ultimately both would reach plans
within the statutory requirements.
Representative Guttenberg wondered whether the payment was
because of the billed appointments.
Ms. Marx responded in the affirmative.
3:50:50 PM
GREG WEAVER, SELF, KNIK (via teleconference), indicated he
had been an injured worker. He provided a background of his
injury. He spoke about a huge black hole in Worker's
Compensation. He provided details about his experience. He
continued to provide information about is personal
experience. He wanted people in Alaska that were injured on
the job to be treated fairly.
Co-Chair Foster CLOSED Public Testimony.
Co-Chair Foster relayed that amendments were due by Friday,
March 30, 2018 at 5:00 PM.
Representative Wilson wondered whether there could be a
delay in the amendment deadline, because she did not fully
understand the legislation.
Co-Chair Foster relayed that he would hold off on the
amendment deadline.
Commissioner Drygas thanked those that testified on the
bill and indicated that it was difficult to find a balance.
She wanted to see workers back in the workforce rather than
drawing on public assistance.
Co-Chair Foster reviewed the agenda for the following
meeting.
HB 303 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 233 Education Tax Credit Support Letter Sitnasuak 2018.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 233 |
| HB233 Additional Documents - DOR Education Tax Credit Report CY2017. 2.28.18.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 233 |
| HB233 Additional Documents - FY2012-FY2016 Education Tax Credits 2.28.18.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 233 |
| HB233 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 233 |
| HB233 Sponsor Statement 2.28.18.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 233 |
| HB233 Supporting Documents - Support Letters 2.28.18.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 233 |
| HB 303 Letters of opposition 3.23.18.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 303 |
| HB233 Edu Tax Credit Presentation 3.26.18.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 233 |
| HB 303 - Letter of Opposition - 3.27.18.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 303 |
| 3.18 NANA Teck HB 233 Testimony.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2018 1:30:00 PM |
HB 233 |