HOUSE BILL NO. 200 "An Act relating to the presumption of coverage for a workers' compensation claim for disability as a result of certain diseases for certain occupations." 2:16:27 PM Co-Chair Meyer MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #1, 25-LS0748\M.4, Bailey, 2/28/08 (Copy on File). Vice-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED. Ms. Armstrong explained that Amendment #1 removes the section that provides a presumption for contagious diseases, requires annual exams for the first seven years of employment, and clarifies that the seven years of firefighting service must take place in Alaska. Co-Chair Meyer added that many states do not cover infectious diseases. Ms. Armstrong elaborated that a review of the statutes of other states revealed that infections diseases are being added. 2:19:57 PM Ms. Armstrong reported that the Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association (AMLJIA), which covers municipalities, supports the amendment because it narrows down the class of people covered under HB 200. Previously, the bill would have covered fire firefighters, peace officers, emergency medical and rescue personnel as well as others, making it a large group. Co-Chair Meyer referenced the letter from AMLJIA (Copy on File). REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM, SPONSOR, spoke to the bill. She preferred the original version of HB 200, but was willing to support the amendment in the interest of moving the bill forward. She thought future studies would show that the cost for covering a broader range of workers is less than some believe, but understood that the change was a policy call of the present Legislature. Representative Hawker shared Representative Dahlstrom's view and thought the bill, though compromised, was acceptable. Co-Chair Meyer concurred. Vice-Chair Stoltze stated that he preferred the original bill and was unhappy that AMLJIA was not present. 2:23:44 PM Representative Thomas commented that the Committee could vote the amendment down and have AMLJIA come to work further on the bill. He agreed with Representative Stotlz that they should be present for the discussion. Ms. Armstrong stated for the record that Amendment #1 was not brought forward by AMLJIA. Vice-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being no further OBJECTION, Amendment #1 was ADOPTED. 2:26:08 PM Representative Kelly advocated for other workers with dangerous jobs and stated his concern with protecting only certain groups. He said he would not be supporting the bill. Co-Chair Meyer referred to indeterminate fiscal notes. Vice- Chair Stoltze wondered if the amendment changed the nature of the fiscal notes. 2:29:38 PM Representative Nelson stated for the record that she thought it very unfair that another indeterminate fiscal note attached to a minority bill protecting families had not been acceptable. She asserted that the indeterminate notes attached to HB 200 should be treated in the same manner. Co- Chair Meyer thought the note attached to HB 200 was truly indeterminate as the diseases could not be predicted, whereas the other note could be quantified. Representative Nelson stressed that she does not have a problem with the bill, but protested the double standards shown in the Committee regarding fiscal notes. Co-Chair Meyer said there was no intent to favor one bill over another. Co-Chair Chenault concurred. He wanted to see indeterminate fiscal notes dealt with better. He promised Representative Nelson to look more closely at all indeterminate notes. He thought HB 200 was unusual and had few risks. 2:33:36 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to report CS HB 200(FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with new indeterminate fiscal note by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and new indeterminate fiscal note by the Department of Administration. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 200(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with new indeterminate fiscal note by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and new indeterminate fiscal note by the Department of Administration. 2:35:26 PM