HB 218-FIREFIGHTER WORKERS COMP REQUIREMENTS  3:21:05 PM CHAIR SUMNER announced that the final order of business would be HB 218 HOUSE BILL NO. 218, "An Act relating to coverage for disability from diseases for certain firefighters; and providing for an effective date." 3:21:15 PM CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 218. 3:21:3 PM JOHN DELLACROCE, Former Assistant Chief, Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department, gave testimony on HB 218. He said that HB 218 would affect all fire departments in Alaska. He said reducing the current requirement for benefits from seven years to three years would improve retention. He concluded his testimony by adding that reducing the number of medical exams to one upon entry and one every five years would be more palatable for small departments with financial constraints. 3:23:01 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Mr. Dellacroce if he has checked his specific city's policy on worker's compensation to see if the city would sell the fire department an insurance policy, if he is [Mr. Dellarcore] self-insured. MR. DELLACROCE answered that his fire department has not checked with its provider regarding insurance premiums. 3:23:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked for clarification relating to the language change on page 2, line 16, asking the difference between becoming a firefighter and becoming a certified fire fighter. 3:24:50 PM CHAIR SUMNER, after ascertaining there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 218. 3:24:56 PM ADONIS BUZARD, Staff, Representative Dan Saddler, Alaska State Legislature, On behalf of Representative Saddler, prime sponsor of HB 218, said he does not have an answer to Representative Field's question at this time and will follow up later. REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said he likes the language that reduces required exams but asked for more explanation regarding the frequency of exams proposed in the bill. 3:26:35 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said the intent of HB 218 is to provide more flexibility so that coverage and worker's compensation aren't lost because of a time requirement. 3:26:58 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said he would like to hear from insurance carriers about the financial risk for their companies. He said that if a carrier cannot determine the risk, it could refuse to provide coverage. He asked if it is known how HB 218 would affect coverage. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER answered that the risk doesn't change, and said he can confirm with insurance companies about the question of coverage. 3:28:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE gave his understanding of Representative Prax's question that he is speaking not of the risk to the fire fighter but the risk to the insurance company and whether it would have to pay out benefits more frequently if HB 218 were to become law. REPRESENTATIVE PRAX confirmed that's correct. 3:29:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he would follow up with Representative Fields about the current credentialing organizations and processes. 3:29:53 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked Representative Saddler if someone would be delayed in working as a firefighter if they haven't yet become certified. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER responded that while there might be a gap between certification and employment, the examinations are spaced out accordingly to the certification programs. 3:31:13 PM ADJOURNMENT  The House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee was recessed at 3:31 p.m. to a call of the chair. [The meeting never reconvened.]