SB 147-REEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS  2:29:40 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 147 "An Act relating to reemployment rights and benefits." This is the second hearing of the bill. He expressed that the intention of the committee is to recap the bill, take public testimony, consider a committee substitute, and look to the will of the committee. 2:30:13 PM SENATOR JAMES KAUFMAN, District F, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 147, gave a recap of the bill: SB 147 - Reemployment Benefits seeks to address some of the shortcomings that we have in the Alaska Workers Compensation system. It further improves the workers compensation system by fixing unnecessary administrative burdens, clarifying the role of stakeholders in the process. 2:30:59 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 147; finding none, he closed public testimony. 2:31:24 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited a motion. 2:31:26 PM SENATOR MERRICK moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for SB 147, work order 33-LS0799\B, as the working document. 2:31:39 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of explanation. 2:31:53 PM DOMINICK HARNETT, staff, Senator James Kaufman, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained the summary of changes for SB 147 on behalf of the bill sponsor: [Original punctuation provided.] Summary of Changes for SB 147 Bill Version A to B  "An Act relating to reemployment rights and benefits;  and providing for an effective date."   Page 4, Lines 2-18  Creates new Section 4 amending 23.30.041(e) to repeal statute requiring use of the 1993 Edition of the United States Department of Labor's "Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles" and instead allow the rehabilitation specialist to develop a job analysis. Renumbers following sections accordingly. Page 4, Line 19-22  Adds clarifying language and adds language requiring the rehabilitation specialist to prepare and provide to the employee and employer a complete reemployment plan. Page 4, Line 31 through Page 5, Line 2  Adds language to allow consideration of training and employment services offered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development under AS 23.15 instead of requiring its use. Page 5, Line 4-11  Makes technical changes to create a list of subcategories and includes a provision to allow for job search and job placement activities as allowable in a reemployment plan. Currently these items are not allowed under statute. Page 5, Line 28 through Page 6, Line 3  Adds language to provide a timeline of 90 days from the date of service for either party to request a review of the reemployment plan. Currently there is no timeline, and the request can be made at any time. Removes Section 7, 8, and 9 of the original bill.  2:33:50 PM MR. HARNETT continued explaining the summary of changes: [Original punctuation provided.] Page 6 Lines 16-17  Creates new section 7 which adds language to adjust for inflation not less than once every five years. Page 6 Lines 19-29  Creates new section 8 which creates new subsection (s) in AS 23.30.041 to allow for the maximum amount of $4,000 to be used for costs incurred for job modification services or device and reasonable travel and relocation expenses associated with searching for new employment, return to work in a new location, and attendance at an on-the-job training program. Page 6 Line 30  Creates new section 9 which repeals AS 23.30.041(p). Page 6 Line 31  Adds an immediate effective date under AS 01.10.070(c). 2:35:07 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN removed his objection; finding no further objection, CS SB 147, work order 33-LS0799\B was adopted as the working document. 2:35:30 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee. 2:35:33 PM SENATOR MERRICK moved to report CSSB 147, work order 33- LS0799\B, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 2:35:46 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and CSSB 147 (L&C) was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.