BOARD: Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
BOARD IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 110
DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY: AS 23.30.005
STATUS: Active
SUNSET DATE:
REQUIREMENTS: Legislative Confirmation and Financial Disclosure
PROHIBITIONS: None
TERM: 3 years
DESCRIPTION: 18 members appointed by the Governor, 9 representing labor (employees) and 9 representing industry (employers). The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development is the Board chair or may designate a representative to act as chair. Each of the 18 members is appointed to one of 9 panels located throughout the state. (1 “at large” panel, 1 southern panel covering the first judicial district, two northern panels covering the second and forth judicial districts, and five southcentral panels covering the third judicial district. Each panel consists of one labor and one industry member.
FUNCTION: The full Board periodically convenes meetings (no more frequently than quarterly) to oversee and administer the functioning of the Workers’ Compensation system. The Board reviews all regulations developed by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development pertaining to “hearing panel” rules; the selection, retention, and removal of rehabilitation specialists and physicians under AS 23.30.041 and AS 23.30.095; the implementation of the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act; as well as the provision and reporting of medical care under the Act. Those regulations do not become effective unless approved by a majority of the members of the full Board. In addition to those duties, members serve more frequently on quasi-judicial “hearing panels” that typically convene in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau to hear and resolve disputed benefits claims. Those hearings are generally chaired by an attorney/hearing officer who deliberates with the labor and industry panel members to reach a decision and then drafts any needed orders for panel member review and signature. Each member of the 2 northern panels typically covers 11 hearing days in Fairbanks (22 total), each southern panel member covers 12 hearing days in Juneau (12 total), and each southcentral or “at large” panel member covers 17 hearing days in Anchorage (106 total). Panel members may occasionally be asked to attend a hearing outside their primary geographical area when a local member is unavailable.
CHAIR: Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development or a designated representative.
SPECIAL FACTS: A majority of members constitutes a quorum of the full Board. Two members of a quasi-judicial hearing panel constitute a quorum for taking action on a disputed benefits claim.
COMPENSATION: Standard Travel and Per Diem. Members (except chair) also receive honorarium of $50/day.
MEETINGS: See comments. Juneau, 2 days/month in Fairbanks, 3 days/week in Anchorage. Southcentral Board members are expected to participate in 2-3 panel hearing days a month. A panel hearing day may take from 2 to 7 hours.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: