02/22/1993 01:40 PM Senate JUD

  SENATOR  TAYLOR   returned  SB  64   (IMMUNITY  FOR   SAFETY                 
  INSPECTIONS)  to committee,  and  SENATOR  HALFORD moved  to                 
  adopt the CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 64 (8-LSO445\O, Ford, dated                 
  2/22/93) as a work draft.  Without objections, so ordered.                   
                                                                               
  SENATOR   TAYLOR  invited  SENATOR   DONLEY  to   offer  his                 
  amendment.                                                                   
                                                                               
  SENATOR DONLEY quoted some testimony  previously on the bill                 
  about the interplay between the committee substitute and the                 
  health insurance proposal for health  insurance benefits for                 
  impacted, injured workers and their  families.  He explained                 
  how this  would  benefit the  families and  keep them  whole                 
  while they got back on their feet.                                           
                                                                               
  Number 129                                                                   
                                                                               
  SENATOR  DONLEY  proposed Amendment  #1 which  would provide                 
  medical coverage for  18 months for the injured  worker, who                 
  no  longer  receives  compensation,  and  he  explained  the                 
  amendment.                                                                   
                                                                               
  SENATOR  TAYLOR  reviewed  the  Van  Biene case,  tort  law,                 
  additional   benefits,   litigation,   insurance   carriers,                 
  workers' compensation rights, and third  party liability. He                 
  explained why he was opposing the amendment.                                 
                                                                               
  SENATOR DONLEY  defended his amendment claiming  the Alaskan                 
  workers' compensation actually  saved money  in the face  of                 
  rising  costs elsewhere,  and  he  credited the  cooperation                 
  between labor and management.                                                
                                                                               
  Number 203                                                                   
                                                                               
  SENATOR TAYLOR  appreciated his comments, but  thought there                 
  had  been a hidden price to pay for bringing down the costs,                 
  one of which is the manner  in which the lawyers represented                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  the  injured workers.                                                        
                                                                               
  SENATOR JACKO suggested Amendment #1  was "out of order"  if                 
  it didn't fit under the title, but SENATOR TAYLOR  preferred                 
  to vote on the amendment.   The amendment failed on a 3  - 2                 
  vote.                                                                        
                                                                               
  SENATOR  DONLEY  explained  why  he  would  like  to have  a                 
  discussion on "intentional misconduct standard," and SENATOR                 
  TAYLOR  initiated  a  question and  answer  exchange  on the                 
  subject with  SENATOR DONLEY,  who continued  to defend  his                 
  definition.                                                                  
                                                                               
  SENATOR DONLEY proposed  Amendment #2, inserting "  reckless                 
  or" at  the beginning of line 11, on  page 1.  His amendment                 
  was defeated on a 3 - 2 vote.                                                
                                                                               
  SENATOR HALFORD moved to pass CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 64(JUD)                 
  from committee  with individual recommendations.   There was                 
  objection.  The bill passed on a 3 - 2 vote.