Other legislation continues apace
State Director Denny DeWitt reports from Juneau on the small-business agenda for the legislative week ending March 23
This week in the House was consumed by debate on the operating budget. Thus far they have considered more than 80 amendments with the possibility of more to come. The Senate has scheduled the budget in its Finance Committee for next week with public testimony starting March 27.
Meanwhile …
- Senate Bill 119, Sen. Shelley Hughes’ health-care savings bill was up for public testimony March 19 and held for a further hearing and possible committee action.
- House Bill 193, by Rep. Jason Grenn, is scheduled for further hearings in the House Health and Social Services Committee, March 27. The bill still limits the ability to control payments to out-of-network providers. NFIB is generally opposed to the bill because it will result in cost increases and limits the ability to design insurance products.
- NFIB expects to see added activity in the worker’s compensation arena as House Bill 303, dealing with rehabilitation processes and payments, is scheduled for hearing in the House Finance Committee, March 27. The major workers’ compensation reform bill, Senate Bill 112, is getting significant discussion in the Capitol and should be scheduled for additional hearings in the near future.
- House Bill 142, the unemployment insurance benefit and tax increases, is in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. NFIB is continuing its work in the Senate opposing this legislation.
Previous Reports, News Releases, Guest Editorials, Action Alerts
March 16 Report—House Members Look to NFB for Position on Workers’ Comp. Measure
March 9 Report—Flus, Vacancy Slow Legislative Work
March 2 Report—NFIB Opposed Appointment to Workers’ Comp. Board Bounced
February 23 Report—NFIB-Crafted Language in Workers’ Compensation Bill
February 16 Report—NFIB Members Succeed in Delaying UI Tax Increase
February 9 Report—Will Bag Bill Create Checkout Line Arguments
February 2 Report—NFIB Takes Lead in Fight Against UI Tax Increase
January 29 Action Alert—Register Your Opposition to House Bill 142
January 26 Report—Plastic Bag Fee Called ‘Administrative Nightmare.’
January 19 Report—To Slow Down or Speed Up Governor’s Tax Proposal
January 12 Report—Alaska Legislators Return for Business, January 16
December 19 News Release—Alaska Small-Business Owners Vote on Four Issues Ahead of Session
[Tile photo courtesy of The Alaska State Legislature’s Capitol Updates]
