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Bjorkman-Press

NEWS: Comprehensive Workers’ Compensation Reform Bill and Extension of Senior Benefits Signed Into Law

Anchorage – On Thursday, July 11, Governor Dunleavy signed Senate Bill 147 into law, which encompasses provisions from House Bill 239, Senate Bill 170, Senate Bill 183, and Senate Bill 206. This comprehensive bill aims to significantly enhance the support and resources available to injured workers, streamline administrative processes, and ensure timely benefits while also […]

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NEWS: Alaska Legislature Passes Comprehensive Local Tax Exemption Legislation to Benefit Farmers and Homebuyers

Nikiski, AK – Prior to the recent conclusion of its session in May, the Alaska Legislature passed Senate Bill 179, sponsored by Senator Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski. This legislation, a result of extensive discussions with realtors, farmers, and municipal representatives, prohibits local governments from adding transfer taxes to the sale of houses and other real property, improves the

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NEWS: Legislature Approves Easier and Less Invasive Drug and Alcohol Testing Method

JUNEAU – The Alaska State Legislature unanimously approved a simpler option for employers and employees to conduct drug and alcohol testing when the House passed Senate Bill 196 yesterday. Sponsored by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, the bill would add saliva or “oral fluids” to the samples an employer may collect for testing. 

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NEWS: Senate Acts to Provide Timely Benefits to Injured Workers

JUNEAU – The Alaska Senate moved today to better ensure injured workers receive timely benefits payments with the passage of Senate Bill 183 by a vote of 17 to 1. Sponsored by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, the bill would allow the Workers’ Compensation Benefits Guarantee Fund to retain its fiscal year-end balance to

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NEWS: Senate Approves Easier and Less Invasive Drug and Alcohol Testing Method

JUNEAU – Employers and employees in Alaska would have a simpler option for drug and alcohol testing under Senate Bill 196, which passed the Senate unanimously today. Sponsored by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, the bill would add saliva or “oral fluids” to the samples an employer may collect for testing.

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NEWS: Legislation Increasing Benefits to Cover Commercial Fishing Medical Claims Passes Legislature

JUNEAU – Senate Bill 93, which increases the limits on payouts from the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund for commercial fishing illnesses and injuries, passed the Alaska House 39 – 1 on Thursday.  The bill, sponsored by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, better ensures fishing crew members’ medical costs from fishing related incidents are covered.

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NEWS: Senate Leaders Mourn the Loss of Former Colleague Representative Kurt Olson

NIKISKI, AK – Today, members of the Alaska State Senate learned that former Representative Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna, passed away from a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Representative Kurt Olson served the Central Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2005 through 2016. Members of the Alaska Senate Majority issued the following statements:

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NEWS: Senator Bjorkman’s Local Lumber Grading Bill Signed into Law

(Big Lake, AK) – Senate Bill 87, sponsored by Senator Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), was signed into law today. The bill creates a local lumber grading program for Alaska sawmill operators to become certified to grade and sell certain types of dimensional lumber that they have produced for residential construction.

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