Important Workers' Compensation reform becomes law

Soldotna, AK – Today during a joint Kenai Soldotna Chamber luncheon, Governor Sean Parnell signed into law multiple pieces of legislation including several supported by the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce. Among the legislation signed today was House Bill 316 relating to workers’ compensation – a priority issue for the Alaska Chamber and business throughout Alaska.

The Alaska Chamber supports systemic changes to the Alaska workers’ compensation insurance statutes to reduce the cost of insurance for employers while emphasizing effective treatment programs that promote injury recovery and the return to full employment for injured workers.

“Enacting comprehensive reform of Alaska’s Workers’ Compensation system is a top priority for Alaska business and the membership of the Alaska Chamber,” said Alaska Chamber President/CEO Rachael Petro. 

“Alaska consistently lags behind other states when it comes to Worker’s Comp. That puts us at a competitive disadvantage, but it is something we can fix,” Petro added.

Passage of this workers’ compensation bill is of particular interest to all workers and employers in Alaska. Worker’s compensation is a difficult, complex topic. HB 316 is a credible first step by House Labor and Commerce Committee Chairman Representative Kurt Olson toward comprehensive, systemic reform.

The Alaska Chamber will continue to advocate for the systemic change needed in Alaska’s workers’ compensation statutes.

HB 316 is one of a slate of bills signed by the Governor in Soldotna today. Other Alaska Chamber-supported bills signed today include Senate Bill 71 on fisheries landing tax and Speaker Mike Chenault’s bill on scrap metal licensing (HB 305).

About the Alaska Chamber
Since 1952, the Alaska Chamber has worked to promote a positive business environment in Alaska. A private, non-profit corporation, the Chamber is the voice of small and large business across the state with a Board of Directors comprised of 80 members representing all regions of the state. For more information, go to alaskachamber.com.