Sponsor Statement for SB 336

An Act Relating to Excluding Professional Hockey Team Members from Worker’s Compensation Coverage

This bill amends Worker’s Compensation provisions by adding professional hockey teams to the list of persons not covered under AS 23.30.230. In exchange for this exemption, a team owner would have to provide a medical and disability program to cover the players (and anyone else associated with the team who is in the same Worker’s Comp risk category, e.g., coaches, assistant coaches, but not office personnel) 100% of the time - whether on duty, travel or their own time. The owner is responsible for the cost of the premiums on this coverage. The idea is taken from Florida’s approach to this problem.

The committee was asked to introduce this legislation by the sole professional hockey team in the state, the Anchorage Aces.

The Department of Labor, Division of Worker’s Compensation has reviewed the legislation and is neutral on the bill.