(ANCHORAGE) – Governor Frank Murkowski signed legislation into law earlier today that establishes provisions for overtime compensation.

Sponsored by Representative Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage), House Bill 182 was drafted in an attempt to clarify the often confusing regulations that define overtime compensation. In addition to the confusing state statutes and regulations employers must also comply with the Federal wage and hour laws as well. HB 182 provides that we look to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act for the definitions of these terms, with the exception of the salary requirement, which shall be 2 times the minimum wage. This will eliminate the need for many employers to have to comply with the two systems (state and federal) when dealing with these exemptions.

"These changes to the Wage and Hour Act eliminate ambiguities, align Alaska more closely with other states and reduce the number of unnecessary lawsuits, while protecting workers rights to receive overtime," said Representative Rokeberg. "HB 182 strikes the essential balance of protecting workers rights while enhancing the commerce of the state."

HB 182 also removes the exemption for the ambiguous term of "supervisory capacity," and further provides that the provisions found in this bill will be applied to any litigation that is filed on or after the effective date of this bill. This requirement does not apply, however, to any claims or proceedings filed before the effective date.

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