SENATE BILL NO. 103 "An Act amending the medical examination requirements for firefighters entitled to a presumption of compensability for a disability resulting from certain diseases." 10:04:08 AM SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH, introduced SB 103. He stated that in 2003, the Alaska Legislature passed statutory changes to the Workers' Compensation program to provide firefighters with the presumption of compensability for certain diseases that were documented to occur as a result of occupational exposures to smoke and chemicals in the performance of their duties. It was the intent of the legislature that this benefit be available to firefighters who had served for seven years and who had received any required physical examinations during that seven year period. However, a wording change made by one committee had the unanticipated effect of narrowing the scope of covered firefighters only to those who had had an initial physical exam at the time of hire. This effect was not intentional and was never discussed in that committee or in any following committees. Instead, it became an issue when the Workers' Compensation Board established program regulations. Senator French stated that in recognizing the problem, the Workers' Compensation Board passed a resolution supporting an amendment to the law to allow any firefighter who entered active service as a firefighter prior to the effective date of AS 23.30.121 the presumption of compensability if during the years prior to enactment, the firefighter received all required examinations and those examinations did not show evidence of the diseases in the first seven years of employment. Senator French pointed out that the second change the bill would make would be to clarify that the law applied to state as well as municipal firefighting agencies. Co-Chair Stedman stated that there were three new fiscal notes from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Administration, and the University of Alaska. DOUG SCHRAGE, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in favor SB 103. He said it was not clear if the student firefighter would be covered in the bill. TOM WESCOTT, DIRECTOR, ALASKA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS (via teleconference), spoke in favor of SB 103. Senator Thomas wondered if there was a regular sequence of tests that were administered to firefighters, based on the high risk of cancer and respiratory problems. Senator French responded that firefighters were given regular medical exams, but noted that the bill only included full- time firefighters. He stressed that if the firefighters attended the exams that were offered to them, they would be given the presumption. Senator Olson queried the cost to individual communities. Senator French responded that the bill attempted to cover any costs incurred to communities. Senator Olson asked if emergency medical technicians (emts) would be covered as well. CINDY SMITH, STAFF, SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH, responded that the emts were dropped from the original bill in 2008. Senator Egan asked if emts who step in as firefighters would be covered. Senator French felt that the delineation would fall to the municipalities when determining who would be considered a fulltime firefighter. 10:18:42 AM Co-Chair Stedman requested information regarding potential impacts to the municipalities. SB 103 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration.