Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 120
04/09/2010 09:00 AM House RULES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB363 | |
| SB163 | |
| SJR28 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| HB 363 | |||
| SB 163 | |||
| SJR 28 | |||
SB 163- FISHERMEN'S FUND
9:30:17 AM
CHAIR DAHLSTROM announced that the next order of business would
be SENATE BILL NO. 163, "An Act increasing the allowances for
injury, disability, or heart attack payable from the fisherman's
fund; and providing for an effective date."
9:30:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON moved to adopt HCS CSSB 163, Version 26-
LS0781\R, Bailey, 4/7/10, as the working document. There being
no objection, Version R was before the committee.
9:30:47 AM
SENATOR JOE PASKVAN, Alaska State Legislature, explained that SB
163 updates the Alaska Fishermen's Fund benefit limit to
$10,000, which would result in the program providing a
meaningful level of assistance. He characterized the fund as a
payer of last resort for commercial fishermen and crew who
sustain injuries or illness while fishing.
9:31:41 AM
JAKE HAMBURG, Staff, Senator Joe Paskvan, Alaska State
Legislature, speaking on behalf of the sponsor, reviewed the
changes embodied in HCS CSSB 163, Version R. He explained that
although under current statute the commissioner is to make
decisions on claims and appeals, the practice has been for the
council to make those decisions. Therefore, one of the two
changes in Version R would allow the Fishermen's Fund Advisory
and Appeals Council to continue the aforementioned practice.
The other change embodied in Version R would allow vessel owners
with indemnity insurance with a deductible of $10,000 or more to
seek a 50 percent reimbursement for the deductible of an injured
crewmember's claim against that insurance. He explained that 50
percent was chosen in order to provide an incentive for the
vessel owner to maintain a safe vessel.
9:32:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER inquired as to whom would pay the vessel
owner for the claim. If the claim was paid by the insurance
company, would it reduce the amount of the claim awarded to the
injured worker, she asked.
SENATOR PASKVAN explained that the fund is funded by a portion
of the license fees that are collected. If the deductible is
$10,000, the fund would only pay up to $5,000 to the injured
crewmember. He echoed earlier testimony that the fund is the
payer of last resort.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER surmised then that the payment wouldn't
impact a crew member.
MR. HAMBURG related that the vessel owner is required to pay the
deductible. The vessel owner would be reimbursed by the
fishermen's fund in the amount of up to 50 percent of the
deductible [or $5,000, whichever is less]. Therefore, the only
impact would be to the fund.
9:34:41 AM
CHAIR DAHLSTROM related her understanding then that the second
change being discussed was strictly to the dollar amount.
SENATOR PASKVAN replied yes.
9:35:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA requested an explanation of Section 3.
She related her understanding that the legislation doesn't
control what the insurance company gives to the vessel owner,
but rather how much the fund pays the vessel owner.
SENATOR PASKVAN answered that is correct.
9:36:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON moved to report HCS CSSB 163, Version 26-
LS0781\R, Bailey, 4/7/10, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, HCS CSSB 163(RLS) was reported from the House
Rules Standing Committee.
9:36:50 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:36 a.m. to 9:39 a.m.
9:39:45 AM
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