Amendments Proposed to Ease Employer Concerns About Governor's Reforms Proposal

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker’s proposals to reform the state’s workers’ compensation system are meeting opposition as they work through the Legislature. Lawmakers are considering amendments to ease opposition to the governor’s “omnibus” bills that would create a new test for determining when a person is an independent contractor, increase penalties for employers that intentionally misclassify workers, eliminate the second injury fund and reduce the state’s take on employer assessments. Walker in January released a statement saying his House Bill 79 an...