HB 68-LABOR STDRS/SAFETY; WORKER COMPENSATION  3:58:45 PM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 68, "An Act relating to the division of labor standards and safety; relating to the division of workers' compensation; establishing the division of workers' safety and compensation; and providing for an effective date." 3:59:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 68, labeled 31-GH1049\M, Marx, 4/5/19, as the working draft. CO-CHAIR LEDOUX objected for the purpose of discussion. 3:59:56 PM DENEEN TUCK, Staff, Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Alaska State Legislature, presented the changes in committee substitute, Version M. She stated that there was "a three-year sunset added on to it in several sections." 4:00:14 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked why a sunset was added. MS. TUCK explained that if joining the two [divisions] together doesn't work after three years they will separate. CO-CHAIR LEDOUX added that a sunset allows for a trial run with the ability to return to the present system if it doesn't work out as planned. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN pointed out that HB 68 originated at the request of the governor. She asked why there wasn't a sunset in the original bill and the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED) views it as the only change. 4:01:53 PM CATHY MUNOZ, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Labor & Workforce Development, responded that the proposed committee substitute includes the three-year sunset, which is the only change from the original bill. She further noted that the idea for the division merger came from within the department and the governor supported proceeding with legislation. REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN questioned whether the DCCED has any objection to the sunset. MS. MUNOZ replied that it's more work; nonetheless they are willing to address concerns and demonstrate that the merger will be a success. 4:02:50 PM The committee took a brief at-ease. 4:02:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES moved to report CSHB 68, Version GH1049\M, Marx, 4/5/19, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 68(L&C) was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.