SB 260-EXTEND TASK FORCE ON WORKERS' COMP CHAIR ANDERSON announced that the first order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 260, "An Act extending the date by which the Task Force on Workers' Compensation shall report its findings and the termination date of that task force; and providing for an effective date." BRIAN HOVE, Staff to Senator Seekins, Alaska State Legislature, explained that during the 2005 legislative session, the legislature passed SB 130, which created the Task Force on Workers' Compensation. The task force met seven times over a three-month period and produced a final report to the legislature, which includes a recommendation for a one year extension. He stated that SB 260 allows the task force to complete the work that it was assigned. 4:04:51 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN informed the committee that he co-chairs the task force [along with Senator Seekins] and said " ... I think we did some good work, I think more work needs to be done." 4:05:19 PM MR. HOVE, in response to questions from Representative Guttenberg, explained that the task force had a report due at the beginning of December 2005, but did not make the deadline. Therefore, in addition to extending the task force, the legislation would extend the report deadline to February 15, 2006. CHAIR ANDERSON asked if the sponsor would like the date amended, since [February 15, 2006] is in the past. MR. HOVE replied that the report has already been submitted to the Senate Secretary. REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD stated that he would like to see a copy of the report. He commented that he doesn't mind extending the date, but would like to have a clear idea as to the goals of the task force. MR. HOVE replied that the task force would like time to "flesh out" the issues, as it was not able to fully explore them. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN stated that [the co-chairs] are "in concert" on this issue. He agreed that a number of issues need to be "fleshed out." He opined that the task force "rushed to judgment" on some of the issues, and left some unresolved. In response to comments from Chair Anderson, he explained that the task force report is incomplete and opined that because the issues are serious, the task force should not rush to judgment. REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD asked how the issues were decided on and if they are listed in the final report. MR. HOVE replied that while the task force did submit a final report, it still has the ability to submit another report. He explained that the task force submitted the final report to "remain in the spirit" of [SB 130]. He went on to say that each member came with different priorities, and the task force attempted to address all of them. 4:10:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD noted that he attended task force meetings during which a number of issues came up. He asked how the task force decided which of these issues went into the final report. MR. HOVE replied that it might be better to provide a copy of the report and then discuss these issues, adding that it was "a consensus report." REPRESENTATIVE LYNN agreed with this and added that the task force did not debate over what to include or not include [in the report]. He noted that he does not recall any concern that was not addressed in some fashion. MR. HOVE, in response to Chair Anderson, confirmed that the task force consisted of a "mix" of representation. He noted that the task force included: Dr. John Duddy (Alaska State Medical Association); Rod Betit (Alaska State Hospital & Nursing Home Association; Michael Jensen (Workers' Comp Attorney-Employees); Trena Heikes (Workers' Comp Attorney-Employer); Kevin Dougherty (Organized Employees); Connie Livsey (Workers' Comp Insurance Carriers); Jamie Slack (Self-Insured Employers); Linda Lewis (Small Businesses), and Everett Billingslea (Large Businesses), in addition to Senator Gretchen Guess and the Co-Chairs. CHAIR ANDERSON asked Mr. Hove to supplement the final report to the committee. He opined that the longer it takes for [SB 260] to [move through the legislature], the less work the task force can complete. 4:13:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG stated that he attended a few meetings and asked if the [task force] was successful in obtaining numbers from the medical community for evaluation purposes. MR. HOVE answered that the task force did not have specific [medical] data available to them, adding that the short amount of time made it difficult to get to all of the issues. He stated that the task force would like an opportunity to "go back and see if we can pick up some of those pieces." REPRESENTATIVE LYNN stated that he would welcome input from other legislators regarding specific issues for the task force to address. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked if the task force intends to issue another report. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN replied that additional meetings would result in more information. He then questioned the point of meeting if another report will not be issued. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked why February 28, 2007, was chosen as the termination date. MR. HOVE replied that date was chosen to allow time for "cleanup." REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked if the bill should be amended to require another report from the task force. MR. HOVE opined that the intent of the task force is to issue another report and adding this language would complicate things. 4:18:58 PM REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked if SB 130 created a Medical Task Force in addition to the Task Force on Workers' Compensation. MR. HOVE replied that there is a Medical Services Review Committee which issued a report to the Task Force on Workers' Compensation. He explained that this report is attached as an addendum to the Task Force on Workers' Compensation final report. 4:19:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved to report SB 260 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SB 260 was reported from the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.