AK HB346

Establishes the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council in the Alaska Department of Labor with 16 voting members representing organized labor (4), employers (4), medical care providers (3), and insurers (2), plus the commissioner and two legislators as non-voting ex officio members.

Council members serve staggered five-year terms, with initial terms ranging from two to five years to create the stagger; legislative members serve two-year terms and members may be reappointed.

Council shall meet at least once every six months at the call of the chair, with a majority constituting a quorum; only labor, employer, and medical provider representatives may vote.

Council shall advise the department on all workers' compensation matters including application, revision, and operation of chapter 23.30, regulations, procedures, and resource needs.

Repeals AS 23.30.095(j) and abolishes the Medical Services Review Committee; the new council provisions are set to expire June 30, 2015; Act takes effect immediately.