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

SB 60 — 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 — (S) Minutes (SFIN)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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

38 added · 38 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of SB 60 changes the deadline for filing appeals and petitions related to the Compensation Appeals Commission from December 1, 2024, to December 1, 2023. This is important because it shortens the timeline for individuals seeking to challenge decisions made by the commission, potentially allowing for quicker resolutions of disputes. By moving the deadline up, the bill aims to expedite the appeals process and provide timely justice for those affected by workers' compensation decisions.

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33-LS0330\U CS FOR SENATE BILL NO.
33-LS0330\A SENATE BILL NO.
60(JUD) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE Referred:
60 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI Introduced:
Finance Sponsor(s):
2/6/23 Referred:
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act repealing the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission;
Labor & Commerce, Judiciary A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act repealing the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission;
SB0060B -1- CSSB 60(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\U * Sec.
SB0060A -1- SB 60 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\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 CSSB 60(JUD) -2- SB0060B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\U 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 SB 60 -2- SB0060A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\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 SB0060B -3- CSSB 60(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\U 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 SB0060A -3- SB 60 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\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 CSSB 60(JUD) -4- SB0060B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\U 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 SB 60 -4- SB0060A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\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 SB0060B -5- CSSB 60(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\U 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 SB0060A -5- SB 60 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\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 CSSB 60(JUD) -6- SB0060B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\U 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 SB 60 -6- SB0060A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0330\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 pinted 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.
SB0060B -7- CSSB 60(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
SB0060A -7- SB 60 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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How this bill changes current law

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This bill repeals the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission and transfers its review functions to the superior court, while making several amendments to relevant sections in the Alaska Workers' Compensation statutes and appellate rules.

  • AS 23.30.107(b)

    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 entities that must return unrelated medical and rehabilitation information.

  • AS 23.30.108(e)

    the commission

    Removes the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission from the order limiting the use of medical information.

  • AS 23.30.155(f)

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

    Strikes previous provisions allowing for stays of payments in specific circumstances.

  • AS 39.50.200(b)(31)

    AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS COMMISSION (AS 23.30.007)

    Removes reference to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission from the statute listing.

  • Sec. 9

    AS 23.30.007, 23.30.008, 23.30.009, 23.30.125, 23.30.127, 23.30.128, 23.30.129, 23.30.395(10); AS 39.25.110(40); AS 44.64.020(a)(12), and 44.64.020(a)(13)

    Repeals multiple sections related to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission.

  • AS 23.30.126

    A decision and order of the board becomes effective when filed in the office for the board under AS 23.30.110.

    Establishes the process for reviewing a board decision, transferring functions from the repealed commission to the superior court.

  • AS 23.30

    Decisions of the former Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission have the force of legal precedent.

    Clarifies the legal status of decisions made by the now-repealed Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission.

  • Sec. 8

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

    Repeals specific rules from the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure as they pertain to the Appeals Commission.

  • Sec. 10

    Modifies appellate rules concerning how appeals and petitions for review from the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board will be handled.

    Establishes new protocols for appeals to superior court following the repeal of the commission.

Action History

  1. (S) Minutes (SFIN)

  2. (S) Heard & Held

  3. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

  4. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  5. (S) FIN REFERRAL ADDED

  6. (S) FN4: ZERO(JUD)

  7. (S) FN3: (LWF)

  8. (S) NR: TOBIN, KAUFMAN

  9. (S) DP: CLAMAN, KIEHL

  10. (S) JUD RPT CS 2DP 2NR SAME TITLE

  11. (S) Moved CSSB 60(JUD) Out of Committee

  12. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  13. (S) Heard & Held

  14. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  15. (S) Minutes (SJUD)

  16. (S) Heard & Held

  17. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  18. (S) FN2: ZERO(AJS)

  19. (S) FN1: (LWF)

  20. (S) DP: DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON

  21. (S) NR: BJORKMAN

  22. (S) L&C RPT 2DP 1NR

  23. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  24. (S) Moved SB 60 Out of Committee

  25. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  26. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  27. (S) Heard & Held

  28. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  29. (S) L&C, JUD

  30. (S) 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 SB 60?
SB 60 is sponsored by Bill Wielechowski (D).
What is the current status of SB 60?
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 SB 60?
Track SB 60 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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