SB 147-REEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS  3:19:15 PM REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER announced that the first order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 147(L&C), "An Act relating to reemployment rights and benefits; and providing for an effective date." 3:19:36 PM The committee took an at-ease at 3:19 p.m. 3:19:43 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Amendment 1 to CSSB 147(L&C), labeled 33-LS0799\S.1, Marx, 3/19/24, which read: Page 4, lines 6 - 7: Delete "job analysis developed by the  rehabilitation specialist" Insert "Occupational Information Network 28.2  database published by the United States Department of  Labor, Employment and Training Administration," 3:20:04 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS objected. 3:20:15 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained that Amendment 1 would change the language on page 4, lines 6-7, which vaguely states that a job analysis would be developed by a rehabilitation specialist. The proposed amendment would add specificity in that the analysis would come from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USETA). REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT asked to hear from the bill sponsor. 3:21:30 PM SENATOR JAMES KAUFMAN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, said the intent was to avoid anchoring the process to a reference that could later be broken or moved through reorganization. REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS opined that Amendment 1 is a good idea, as the reference to the Occupational Information Network ("O*NET") has "been around forever." He moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 1 to replace "Occupational Information Network 28.2" with "Occupational Information Network database" which would cover this and subsequent permutations of O*NET 28.2. REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT objected and asked to hear from the bill sponsor. SENATOR KAUFMAN deferred to Mr. Collins. 3:23:54 PM CHARLES COLLINS, Director, Division of Workers' Compensation, Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD), said it's easier for the division to write in regulation and "give guides" to contractors than be tied to a specific database. He added that he would not want to come before the legislature again next year, for example, when they update the database to 28.3. 3:27:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked Mr. Collins to elaborate on the differences between the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles (SCODRDOT) and O*NET and how the division might be impacted by using O*NET as a reference point. MR. COLLINS explained that the division is currently statutory limited if the job is in O*NET and not in SCODRDOT. He pointed out that SCODRDOT is referred to in regulation and would still be used by the rehabilitation specialist. He added that O*NET is used by the entire department daily. REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether it would be practical to add an additional reference to SCODRDOT. REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said he would not be opposed to that or listing "Occupational Information Network database published by the U.S. Department of Labor." 3:32:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS opined that without adding further specificity, the ambiguity of the current language would kill the bill. A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Prax, Ruffridge, Wright, Carrick, Fields, and Sumner voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 1. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 6-0. 3:33:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS removed his objection to Amendment 1, as amended. REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK objected and asked whether there was interest from the committee in adding a reference to SCODRDOT in the legislation. She asked whether the reference to SCODRDOT in regulation would impact the job analysis. MR. COLLINS said in regulation 8 AAC 45.525, SCODRDOT is mentioned twice for all rehabilitation specialists as they conduct their job analyses, as required under AS 23.30.041. REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether additional specificity is needed beyond Amendment 1, as amended. REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE answered no, the language in Amendment 1, as amended would provide a great deal of access to job descriptions and information on occupations. 3:35:44 PM REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK removed her objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 1, as amended, was adopted. CHAIR SUMNER announced that CSHB 147(L&C), as amended, would be held over.