Bjorkman-Press

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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NEWS: Alaska Legislature Passes Legislation Allowing Sawmill Operators to Produce Dimensional Lumber for Residential Construction

JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 87, sponsored by Senator Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), with a vote of 38 to 1. The bill allows Alaska sawmill operators to become certified to grade and sell certain types of dimensional lumber they produce for residential construction.

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NEWS: Senator Jesse Bjorkman Introduces Local Lumber Grading Bill

JUNEAU – Senator Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski) introduced Senate Bill 87 yesterday to allow Alaskan sawmill operators who have been State certified to produce and grade dimensional lumber for use in some residential construction applications. Representative Jesse Sumner (R-Wasilla) expects to introduce companion legislation in the House on Friday. 

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NEWS: Senate Majority Announces Committee Chairs and Priorities for the 33rd Alaska State Legislature

ANCHORAGE – Today, the Alaska Senate Majority finalized committee chairs and announced their initial legislative priorities for the 33rd Alaska State Legislature. In November, the Senate Majority announced their leadership structure with Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) as Senate President, Sen.-elect Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) as Majority Leader, Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) as Rules Chair, Sen. Click

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NEWS: Republicans and Democrats form Senate Majority for the 33rd Alaska State Legislature

ANCHORAGE – Today, eight Republicans and nine Democrats came together to announce the Senate Majority in the Alaska State Senate for the 33rd Alaska State Legislature.  Read More >

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