2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

SB103 - Referred to the House Labor and Commerce Committee on February 3

CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 103(L&C)  "An Act amending the medical examination requirements for firefighters entitled to a presumption of compensability for a disability resulting from certain diseases" was referred to the House Labor and Commerce Committee on February 3.

These diseases include:

    (A) Respiratory disease;

    (B) Cardiovascular events that are experienced within 72 hours after exposure to smoke, fumes, or toxic substances; and

    (C) The following cancers:

        (i) primary brain cancer;

        (ii) malignant melanoma;

        (iii) leukemia;

        (iv) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma;

        (v) bladder cancer;

        (vi) ureter cancer;

        (vii) kidney cancer; and

        (viii) prostate cancer;

Note regarding definitions: "firefighter" means a person employed by a state or municipal fire department or who is a member of a volunteer fire department registered with the state fire marshal, or a person registered for purposes of workers' compensation with the state fire marshal as a member of a volunteer fire department.　　

SB103　&　HB232 - The following two bills, SB103 and HB232, would amend the medical examination requirements for firefighters entitled to a presumption of compensability for a disability resulting from certain diseases. CS for SB103 (Sponsored by the State Judiciary Committee) on 2/2/2012 was sent to the House for consideration. HB 232 (Sponsored by Representatives Stoltze & Millett) on 4/7/11 was referred to the House Labor and Commerce Committee and on 1/25/12 Representative Lynn was added as a cosponsor.

HB170 - Referred to the House Finance Committee on February 3rd

CS for House Bill 170, "An Act relating to municipal property tax exemptions on residences of certain volunteer emergency services personnel and the widows and widowers of volunteer emergency services personnel; and providing for an effective date," was referred to the House Finance Committee on February 3.

The House Community and Regional Affairs Committee report was signed by Representative Munoz, Chair, with the following individual recommendations:

Do pass (3):  Cissna, Dick, Foster

No recommendation (4):  Austerman, Gardner, Saddler, Munoz

Basically, this act would allow the state to reimburse municipalities taxes they would have received from volunteers who qualify for this property tax exemption. It is meant as an incentive for volunteers.

According to the state legislation introduced, a "volunteer" means that the person is an active volunteer of a first responder service, a rescue service, an ambulance service, or a fire department that provides emergency medical or rescue services as part of its duties.

According to Rep. Fiege, each municipality could enact the property tax exemption and that municipality would determine which volunteers qualify (i.e. active volunteers based on a certain amount of hours worked, etc.)

SB38 - Set aside for further review by Senate Finance Committee on February 1st

SB38, a bill to establish a one-time occupational death benefit to peace officers and firefighters in the state retirement system, was heard in the Senate Finance Committee on February 1, 2012. The bill was set aside for further review.

SB38 & HB84 - The two bills would establish a one-time occupational death benefit to peace officers and firefighters in the state retirement system.　SB38 (Sponsored by Senator Meyer, Ellis, French, McGuire, Menard and Egan) last action was on 2/1/12 when it was heard in the Senate Finance Committee. HB84 (Sponsored by Representatives Millett & Tuck) last action was on 1/18/11 when referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee.

Other bills

HB151 (Sponsored by Representatives Dick & Kawasaki) last action 2/9/11 was when referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. The bill related to occupational death benefits for peace officers and firefighters under the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an effective date.

HB 219　(Sponsored by Representatives Fiege, Guttenberg and Thomas) was an act exempting certain emergency medical and fire department services from regulation as insurance. The bill was referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee on 4/11/11.

SB4 (Sponsored by the Senator Menard) on 1/19/11 was referred to the State Affairs Committee. The bill would establish Alaska Volunteer Appreciation Day.