This week has continued the focus on the budget and resolving issues created by the passage of the marijuana initiative. Next week the House Finance Committee will put its finishing touches on the budget and will send it to the House floor probably Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 30 the marijuana bill all next week.
Daylight Savings Time
Senate Bill 6 was amended and passed the Senate Finance Committee. The bill repeals daylight saving time and was amended to also call for the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct hearings on changing Alaska’s time zones. This will allow a discussion of time zone issues caused by combining Alaska into one large time zone and a second zone out on the Aleutians.
Smoking in the Workplace
Senate Bill 1 will be heard March 11 at 1:30 p.m. This bill deals with prohibiting smoking in public places, including places of employment. NFIB/Alaska has no position on the bill, but we have been concerned about some of the enforcement issues. We expect the non-retaliation provision to be deleted. It concerns applicants for employment that filed a complaint against a former employer under this legislation. The problem is that employers could end up defending themselves from allegation by an applicant that they were not hired because they did something the employer would likely have no way of knowing they did. While the employer would likely prevail, the cost of defense could be significant.
Income Restitution
Senate Bill 5, including income loss in restitution cases, was heard this week. Leadership Council member Chris Nettels testified for NFIB. The bill was held until March 11, when it is expected to pass out of the Judiciary Committee.
Corporate Filing Periods
House Bill 122 by Rep. Jim Colver is a simple but helpful regulators’ reform bill. It would change the filing period for corporations, LLCs and LLPs from a two-year cycle to a four-year cycle. The $100 fee for two years would become $200 for four years.
Past Reports
