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After passing the legislature 59-1, I’m thankful that my bill Senate Bill 93 was signed into law last week! This bill increases the limits on payouts for commercial fishing injuries and better ensures fishing crew members’ medical costs are covered. SB 93 is zero cost to the State treasury, because the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund dollars come from fees received from commercial fishing license sales. The fund is healthy, and fees will not increase from this change.
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I am thankful that the Senate passed SB 171. Alaska’s fish and game are an important part of putting food on our tables, and I sponsored this bill to better ensure only Alaskan residents are able to enjoy resident license fees and bag limits. I look forward to working with House members to protect our resources for the use of year-round residents.
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SB 183, which improves the management of the Workers’ Comp Benefits Guaranty Fund, also passed the Senate. It is unacceptable that injured workers must wait months to receive benefits from the fund to cover medical costs and lost wages. SB 183 makes changes how the year-end balances is managed to ensure that there are funds available to make the timely payments to workers in need.
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Along with shepherding my bills through the Legislature, I am working to give certainty to homeschool families who rely on allotments to provide educational opportunities to their students. Also, we are seeking to encourage more natural gas production in Cook Inlet by urging passage of royalty tax cuts for locally produced natural gas. In addition, I’m working hard to ensure that any laws passed regarding electricity will actually result in lower electric bills for HEA members.
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I am always interested to hear your questions and ideas. I will have a booth at the Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec & Trade Show May 3 - 5, and will be there in person on Saturday and Sunday to hear from you. Can't make it to the Show? You can always reach my office at 907-283-7996 or sen.jesse.bjorkman@akleg.gov.
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