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Session: State Capitol, Room 24 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Toll Free: (800) 773-4968 Phone: (907) 465-4968 Fax: (907) 465-2040 Send E-Mail Interim: 716 W 4th, Suite 640 Anchorage, AK 99501-2133 Phone: (907) 269-0117 Fax: (907) 269-0119 |
For Immediate Release: February 5, 1999
Contact: Representative Norman Rokeberg at (907) 465-4968.
Juneau -- Representative Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage) Friday introduced House Bill 82, which calls for immunity for businesses for certain claims arising out of or in connection with the year 2000 date change.
"The Governor has introduced legislation which protects state and local governmental entities. Our bill seeks to do the same for the private sector. The Alaska business community may have some exposure with Y2K," said Rokeberg. "Under my bill a civil action may not be brought against a business for damages caused directly or indirectly by a electronic computing failure in connection with Y2K. If business owners make diligent or good faith efforts to address the Y2K problem they deserve some protection from frivolous lawsuits."
The immunity described in HB 82 does not apply to businesses with 11 or more employees if a person can prove that the business failed to use due diligence or good faith efforts to avoid the damages claimed in any civil suit.
Businesses in Alaska and across the nation face costs and exposure to lawsuits due to Y2K. The Gartner Group has estimated that a mid-sized company will spend between $3.6 - 4.2 million to convert its software. At a cost of approximately $450 to $600 per affected computer program, the impact to Alaskan businesses will be significant.
"This proposal, although formally introduced, is really in the rough draft stages" Rokeberg indicated. "My intent is to hold hearings on the legislation and receive testimony from Alaskan businesses on what might need to be changed in the bill or what else may need to be addressed."
Rokeberg, who is Chairman of the House Labor & Commerce Committee, has scheduled a first hearing on the bill for Friday, February 12, 1999, beginning at 3:15 p.m. at various locations around Alaska, including the Anchorage Legislative Information Office, Fairbanks Legislative Information Office, and Room 17 of the Capitol Building in Juneau.
Broadcasters note: Audio comments are available on the
Majority Actuality line, 1-800-478-6540
= Norman Rokeberg, 137 K