2013 Legislative Session

HB15 – March 22, transmitted to Governor.

HB 15 (Sponsored by Representatives Keller, Isaacson, Pruitt…) is an “act relating to commercial motor vehicle requirements.”

 According to the bill sponsor, “HB15  is written to assist these small business owners who need a truck to move their inventory either from the import site, retailer, or wholesaler to their business or job site.

Currently these smaller vehicles are classified as commercial and must have special license plates, unique daily and annual inspections and medical exams all of which costs more.

HB 15 changes the current statutory descriptions of commercial vehicles.

The bill includes, “except that the following vehicles meeting the criteria in (A) - (C) of this paragraph are not commercial motor vehicles: (i) emergency or fire equipment that is necessary to the preservation of life or property;”

 

HB28 – Referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on March 13.

HB 28 (Sponsored by Representatives Fiege, Isaacson and Wilson) is an “act exempting solicitations or voluntary agreements to provide ambulance, emergency, or fire department services from regulation as insurance.”

 According to the bill sponsor, "HB 28 allows local fire and emergency medical agencies to solicit funding as a form of prepayment for services. This type of program has been successful in allowing such organizations to raise needed operating funds while limiting financial risk to those that may need the agency's services.

In a typical scenario, an individual or family pays a set fee to the local fire or emergency medical service on an annual basis. The agency then will respond and assist the individual or family member without additional charge to the individual.

Under current statute, it is the opinion of the Division of Insurance that this type of activity is deemed insurance and is regulated by that division. HB 28 will clarify that this type of program is not insurance and is not regulated by the division.”

HB113 – Referred to State Affairs on March 29.

HB 113 (Sponsored by Representatives Fiege, Gruenberg and Johnson) is “an act relating to the membership of the Alaska Fire Standards Council.”

 According to the bill sponsor, “Currently there are 11 members of this council. They are:

- two chief administrative officers or fire chiefs from local government;

- four representatives of fire fighters (including one from the Alaska Fire Fighters Association);

- two volunteer fire fighters (one from a community of 2,500 or less and one from a community with a population greater than 2,500);

- two members of the public (one from a community of 2,500 or less and one from a community with a population greater than 2,500);

- the State Fire Marshall or his/her designee.

 HB 113 will specify that one of the four fire fighters will be a representative of the Alaska Professional Firefighters Association (APFA). The APFA represents approximately 500 career fire fighters and is the Alaska affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

HB 113 will also add an additional member to the council which will represent the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA). The AFCA is a membership organization representing fire chiefs throughout Alaska.

The intent of HB 113 is to ensure that the three statewide organizations that represent those in the fire service are represented on the council and can speak with the full confidence of their respective organizations.”

HB116 – Referred to the House Labor & Commerce Committee on February 13.

HB 116 (Sponsored by Representatives Millett, Holmes, Hawker…) is “an act relating to the use of credited military service by retired peace officers and firefighters to meet certain requirements for major medical insurance coverage; and providing for an effective date.”

 According to the bill sponsor, “Honorably discharged members of our nations' military service who come to work for the State of Alaska are currently allowed to purchase qualifying time within the PERS system for their previous military service. Under current law, this purchased time may not be used to satisfy the credited service requirements for normal retirement. This exemption precludes persons from using their purchased time to qualify for health care benefits. House Bill 116 proposes that peace officers or firefighters be allowed to use the time they purchase for normal retirement.”

HB126 – Referred to the House Labor & Commerce Committee on February 18.

HB 126 (Sponsored by Representatives Kerttula and Tuck) is “an act relating to new defined benefit tiers in the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for and effective date."

 

HB149 – Referred to the House Labor & Commerce Committee on March 1.

HB 149 (Sponsored by Representatives Ledoux, Nageak, Tuck and Lynn) is “an act making firefighters employed by the state eligible for the presumption of coverage under workers' compensation for disability due to certain diseases."

 “Firefighter" means

(1) a person employed by a municipal fire department;

(2) a member of a volunteer fire department registered with the state fire marshal;

(3) a person registered for purposes of workers' compensation with the state fire marshal as a member of a volunteer fire department; or

(4) a firefighter employed by the state [HAS THE MEANING GIVEN IN AS 09.65.295].

The presumption of coverage established by this Act applies to claims made on or after the effective date of this Act, even if the exposure leading to the occupational disease occurred before the effective date of this Act.

SB30 – Referred to State Affairs on January 22.

SB 30 (Sponsored by Senators Egan, Ellis, Gardner and French) is “an act relating to new defined benefit tiers in the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for and effective date."