HB 149-WORKERS' COMP FOR STATE FIREFIGHTERS  4:56:17 PM CHAIR OLSON announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 149, "An Act making firefighters employed by the state eligible for the presumption of coverage under workers' compensation for disability due to certain diseases." 4:56:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELLE LEDOUX, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as prime sponsor, characterized HB 149 as a "fix-it" bill. It would correct an oversight in AS 23.30.121, which gave firefighters presumptive coverage for various illnesses they many have contracted while working as firefighters. The prior bill inadvertently did not cover state-employed firefighters. This bill would amend AS 23.30.121 to add paragraph (3) pertaining to a firefighter employed by the state. This provision would cover about 70 people. She offered her belief that these brave men and women should have the same protection as all other firefighters. 4:57:45 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON recalled a former legislator had a case in which a firefighter died from chemical exposure. He asked whether that person was a state firefighter. He further asked if she was familiar with the case. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said she did not know the case, but basically the state firefighters are employed at the airport. 4:58:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER referred to new language in section one that refers to three definitions of firefighters, including a municipal volunteer, a person registered for purposes of workers' compensation, [and a person employed by a municipal fire department]. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX answered that the other three categories of firefighters are currently covered by the statute, but the statute has been redrafted. The effect of HB 149 is to add the fourth group of people. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX offered to distribute a copy of AS 09.65.205 for members. 5:00:34 PM REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT referred to the fiscal notes. He said they are from DOT&PF and the Department of Public Safety at the airports. He noticed a fiscal note in members' packets from the University of Alaska (UA). The fiscal analysis shows that there were 36 claims by UAF firefighters over the past five years or an average of 7.2 claims per year. He was curious where the firefighters were located. CHAIR OLSON also noted that the committee is awaiting a fiscal note from the risk manager as well. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said she stands corrected, that this would apply to the airport and the university. 5:02:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT wanted to ensure that state employees working as firefighters are protected. CHAIR OLSON said it was not the intent of the enabling legislation to exclude the state firefighters. [HB 149 was held over.]