Alaska 33rd Legislature (2023-2024) Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

HB 63 — An Act repealing the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission; relating to decisions and orders of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission; relating to superior court jurisdiction over appeals from Alaska Workers' Compensation Board decisions; repealing Rules 201.1, 401.1, and 501.1, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, and amending Rules 202(a), 204(a) - (c), 210(e), 601(b), 602(c) and (h), and 603(a), Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 33rd Legislature (2023-2024). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

37 added · 37 removed

Plain-language change summary

The key change in HB 63 is the extension of deadlines for filing appeals and petitions with the Compensation Appeals Commission and the Alaska Supreme Court, moving the dates from December 1, 2023, to December 1, 2024. This shift allows more time for individuals to bring their cases forward, which could help ensure that claimants have ample opportunity to seek justice in their compensation disputes. Overall, this amendment enhances access to the legal process for those affected by compensation issues.

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33-LS0388\B CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO.
33-LS0388\A HOUSE BILL NO.
63(JUD) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE Referred:
63 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER Introduced:
Finance Sponsor(s):
2/6/23 Referred:
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act repealing the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission;
Labor and Commerce, Judiciary, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act repealing the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission;
HB0063b -1- CSHB 63(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\B * Sec.
HB0063a -1- HB 63 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\A * Sec.
If information has been produced that is outside of the limits designated in the order, the board or the board's designee shall direct the party in possession of CSHB 63(JUD) -2- HB0063b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\B the information to return the information to the employee as soon as practicable following the issuance of the order.
If information has been produced that is outside of the limits designated in the order, the board or the board's designee shall direct the party in possession of HB 63 -2- HB0063a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\A the information to return the information to the employee as soon as practicable following the issuance of the order.
The additional amount shall be paid at HB0063b -3- CSHB 63(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\B the same time as, but in addition to, the compensation, unless there is a review of the compensation order making the award as provided under AS 23.30.126 and a court orders a stay of payments [AS 23.30.008 AND AN INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION STAYING PAYMENTS IS ALLOWED BY THE COURT].
The additional amount shall be paid at HB0063a -3- HB 63 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\A the same time as, but in addition to, the compensation, unless there is a review of the compensation order making the award as provided under AS 23.30.126 and a court orders a stay of payments [AS 23.30.008 AND AN INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION STAYING PAYMENTS IS ALLOWED BY THE COURT].
5 of this Act, has the effect of amending Rule 603(a), Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, by establishing a standard for seeking a stay of CSHB 63(JUD) -4- HB0063b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\B compensation payments in an appeal filed in the superior court from a final decision of the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board.
5 of this Act, has the effect of amending Rule 603(a), Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, by establishing a standard for seeking a stay of HB 63 -4- HB0063a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\A compensation payments in an appeal filed in the superior court from a final decision of the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board.
(a) AS 23.30.005, 23.30.007, 23.30.008, 23.30.009, 23.30.107(b), 23.30.108(d), 23.30.108(e), 23.30.125, 23.30.127, 23.30.128, 23.30.129, 23.30.155(f), 23.30.395(10), AS 39.25.110(40), AS 39.50.200(b)(31), and AS 44.64.020(a)(12) and (13), as those statutes read on the day before the effective date of this Act, continue to apply to appeals, petitions for review, and other proceedings pending before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission on or before December 1, 2024.
(a) AS 23.30.005, 23.30.007, 23.30.008, 23.30.009, 23.30.107(b), 23.30.108(d), 23.30.108(e), 23.30.125, 23.30.127, 23.30.128, 23.30.129, 23.30.155(f), 23.30.395(10), AS 39.25.110(40), AS 39.50.200(b)(31), and AS 44.64.020(a)(12) and (13), as those statutes read on the day before the effective date of this Act, continue to apply to appeals, petitions for review, and other proceedings pending before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission on or before December 1, 2023.
Appeals, petitions for review, and other proceedings under this subsection shall be continued in the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission on or before December 1, 2024.
Appeals, petitions for review, and other proceedings under this subsection shall be continued in the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission on or before December 1, 2023.
(c) AS 23.30.129, as it read on the day before the effective date of this Act, applies to appeals to the Alaska Supreme Court from final decisions of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission issued on or before December 1, 2024, and to petitions for review from interlocutory decisions of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission issued on or before December 1, 2024.
(c) AS 23.30.129, as it read on the day before the effective date of this Act, applies to appeals to the Alaska Supreme Court from final decisions of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission issued on or before December 1, 2023, and to petitions for review from interlocutory decisions of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission issued on or before December 1, 2023.
(a) Appeals, petitions for review, and other proceedings that seek review of decisions and orders of the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board and that have not been filed before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission before the effective date of this Act, shall be filed in the superior court on or after June 1, 2024, in accordance with AS 23.30.126, added by sec.
(a) Appeals, petitions for review, and other proceedings that seek review of decisions and orders of the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board and that have not been filed before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission before the effective date of this Act, shall be filed in the superior court on or after June 1, 2023, in accordance with AS 23.30.126, added by sec.
(b) A party seeking review of a final Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission decision issued on or before December 1, 2024, shall file an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court under AS 23.30.129, and the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, as that statute and HB0063b -5- CSHB 63(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\B those rules read on the day before the effective date of this Act.
(b) A party seeking review of a final Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission decision issued on or before December 1, 2023, shall file an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court under AS 23.30.129, and the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, as that statute and HB0063a -5- HB 63 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\A those rules read on the day before the effective date of this Act.
A party who seeks review of an interlocutory decision of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission issued on or before December 1, 2024, shall file a petition for review with the Alaska Supreme Court under AS 23.30.129, and the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, as that statute and those rules read on the day before the effective date of this Act.
A party who seeks review of an interlocutory decision of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission issued on or before December 1, 2023, shall file a petition for review with the Alaska Supreme Court under AS 23.30.129, and the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, as that statute and those rules read on the day before the effective date of this Act.
Cases in which a party seeks review of a final Alaska Workers' Compensation Board decision and order issued after a remand from the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission must be filed in the superior court on or after June 1, 2024, in accordance with AS 23.30.126, added by sec.
Cases in which a party seeks review of a final Alaska Workers' Compensation Board decision and order issued after a remand from the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission must be filed in the superior court on or after June 1, 2023, in accordance with AS 23.30.126, added by sec.
(c) The power of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission to order reconsideration under AS 23.30.128(f), as that section read on the day before the effective date of this Act, expires on December 2, 2024.
(c) The power of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission to order reconsideration under AS 23.30.128(f), as that section read on the day before the effective date of this Act, expires on December 2, 2023.
Requests for reconsideration pending before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission shall be automatically denied on December 2, 2024, and, notwithstanding AS 23.30.128(g), as that section read on the day before the effective date of this Act, the decision of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission becomes final on December 2, 2024.
Requests for reconsideration pending before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission shall be automatically denied on December 2, 2023, and, notwithstanding AS 23.30.128(g), as that section read on the day before the effective date of this Act, the decision of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission becomes final on December 2, 2023.
If the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission ordered reconsideration but did not issue a decision on reconsideration on or before December 1, 2024, reconsideration shall be automatically denied on December 2, 2024, and, notwithstanding AS 23.30.128(g), as that section read on the day before the effective date of this Act, the original decision of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission becomes final on December 2, 2024.
If the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission ordered reconsideration but did not issue a decision on reconsideration on or before December 1, 2023, reconsideration shall be automatically denied on December 2, 2023, and, notwithstanding AS 23.30.128(g), as that section read on the day before the effective date of this Act, the original decision of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission becomes final on December 2, 2023.
(d) On December 2, 2024, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission shall transfer the files of all appeals, petitions for review, and other proceedings that were pending before June 1, 2024, and were not completed on or before December 1, 2024, to the superior court, which shall assume jurisdiction under AS 22.10.020, and Rules 604(b) and 609, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure.
(d) On December 2, 2023, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission shall transfer the files of all appeals, petitions for review, and other proceedings that were pending before June 1, 2023, and were not completed on or before December 1, 2023, to the superior court, which shall assume jurisdiction under AS 22.10.020, and Rules 604(b) and 609, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure.
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission shall prepare each record in accordance with Rule CSHB 63(JUD) -6- HB0063b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\B 604(b), Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, and mail or hand deliver the record in the pending case to the superior court in the judicial district where the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board issued the contested decision and order.
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission shall prepare each record in accordance with Rule HB 63 -6- HB0063a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0388\A 604(b), Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, and mail or hand deliver the record in the pending case to the superior court in the judicial district where the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board issued the contested decision and order.
9 of this Act, the terms of the members ao pnted to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission expire December 31, 2024.
9 of this Act, the terms of the members ao pnted to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission expire December 31, 2023.
If this Act takes effect, it takes effect June 1, 2024.
If this Act takes effect, it takes effect June 1, 2023.
HB0063b -7- CSHB 63(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
HB0063a -7- HB 63 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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How this bill changes current law

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The bill repeals the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission and transfers appeal jurisdiction to the superior court, while amending relevant statutory and procedural rules.

  • AS 23.30.005

    (n) The board, in its administrative capacity, shall make available, upon request, the decisions and orders of the former Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission. Unless reversed or modified by a court, decisions of the former Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission have the force of legal precedent and shall stand instead of the order of the board from which review was taken.

    Establishes that decisions from the former Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission will still hold legal authority as precedent.

  • AS 23.30.107(b)

    [OR THE COMMISSION]

    Removes the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission from the list of entities whose records are not public.

  • AS 23.30.108(d)

    [THE COMMISSION,]

    Removes the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission from the list of entities that must return medical information under a protective order.

  • AS 23.30.108(e)

    [THE COMMISSION,]

    Removes the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission from considerations regarding the limitations on medical information for claims.

  • AS 23.30.155(f)

    [AS 23.30.008 AND AN INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION STAYING PAYMENTS IS ALLOWED BY THE COURT]

    Clarifies that the 25% penalty for unpaid compensation is not applicable if a court has stayed payments.

  • AS 39.50.200(b)(31)

    [AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS COMMISSION (AS 23.30.007)]

    Removes the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission from the list of agencies covered under this section.

  • Rules 201.1, 401.1, and 501.1, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure

    Rules 201.1, 401.1, and 501.1, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure

    Repeals specific appellate procedure rules related to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission.

  • AS 23.30.126

    Sec. 23.30.126. Review of a board decision and order. (a) A decision and order of the board becomes effective when filed in the office of the board under AS 23.30.110...

    Establishes a new statutory framework for appealing decisions from the Workers' Compensation Board to the superior court.

  • Rule 602(c) and (h), Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure

    by permitting the director of the division of workers' compensation to file an appeal or petition for review in the superior court under specified circumstances.

    Allows the director of workers' compensation to directly appeal decisions in certain cases.

  • Rule 603(a), Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure

    by establishing a standard for seeking a stay of compensation payments in an appeal filed in the superior court.

    Introduces a new standard for requesting stays on compensation payments during appeals.

Action History

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  2. (H) FN3: (LWF)

  3. (H) FN2: ZERO(AJS)

  4. (H) NR: GRAY, CARPENTER, GROH, SUMNER, ALLARD, C.JOHNSON, VANCE

  5. (H) JUD RPT CS(JUD) 7NR

  6. (H) Minutes (HJUD)

  7. (H) Moved CSHB 63(JUD) Out of Committee

  8. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  9. (H) Minutes (HJUD)

  10. (H) Heard & Held

  11. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  12. (H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER JUD

  13. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  14. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>

  15. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  16. (H) FN1: (LWF)

  17. (H) NR: RUFFRIDGE, PRAX, FIELDS, CARRICK, SUMNER

  18. (H) DP: WRIGHT, SADDLER

  19. (H) L&C RPT 2DP 5NR

  20. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  21. (H) Moved HB 63 Out of Committee

  22. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  23. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  24. (H) Heard & Held

  25. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  26. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  27. (H) Heard & Held

  28. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  29. (H) L&C, JUD

  30. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (64)

64 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 63?
HB 63 is sponsored by George Rauscher (R).
What is the current status of HB 63?
This bill died with 33rd Legislature (2023-2024). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 63?
Track HB 63 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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