HB 83-REVISED UNIFORM ARBITRATION ACT  CHAIR CON BUNDE announced HB 83 to be up for consideration. MS. LISA WEISSLER, staff to Representative Berkowitz, sponsor, gave members an overview of what the bill does. First, it is the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act. She explained that arbitration is a voluntary process that people agree to in a contract. It's an alternative to resolving disputes in the courts that is hopefully speedier and more economical. The original Act was developed in 1955. These acts are normally developed by national committees and then states can choose whether or not to adopt them. Alaska did adopt the Uniform Arbitration Act in 1968, which addressed some of the basics of arbitration. Over the years, arbitration has become very popular and deals with more complex issues; more money is involved. So an effort was made by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws to update the National Uniform Arbitration Act. The Commissioners came up with the Revised Uniform Act in 2000 and so far five states have adopted it. It has been introduced this year by 12 more states, including Alaska. The revised act is much more comprehensive and updates the basic coverage of the Uniform Act. It addresses many issues that were not originally covered. She continued: It's a very complicated looking piece of legislation, but, in the legal world, it actually makes things simpler for those folks who decide to do arbitration. Many of the provisions can be waived so it's not something set in stone and, from what I've heard, people who do this type of thing think it's a good thing. SENATOR SEEKINS asked, for the record, if anything in the bill requires any form of arbitration or whether it is entirely voluntary on both parties. MS. WEISSLER replied that it is voluntary and has to be in a contract signed by both parties. SENATOR SEEKINS asked if there is anything in this bill that would vary from the Uniform Act or whether it is tailored to any other issue particular to the state of Alaska. MS. WEISSLER answered that a couple of provisions were included in response to a concern of the Department of Law that labor agreements not be subject to these rules unless specifically agreed to. MR. GRANT CALLOW, Attorney and Alaska Commissioner to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, concurred with Ms. Weissler's answer. SENATOR SEEKINS moved to pass CSHB 83(JUD) from committee with its zero fiscal note and individual recommendations. There were no objections and it was so ordered.