News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: April 2, 1997 Contact: Senator Loren Leman, 907/465-2095

Senate Votes To Keep Alaska’s EMT and Fire Fighter Volunteers

Clarify Alaska Wage & Hour Act

Juneau -- The Alaska State Senate passed legislation Wednesday unanimously to exempt volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and fire fighters from the Alaska Wage and Hour Act which often incorrectly classifies them as employees and causes a bureaucratic tangle for the volunteer organizations.

"This legislation will help remove the big hand of government from our volunteer organizations that need more encouragement and incentives from the law, not confusion and bureaucratic roadblocks," said Senator Loren Leman (R-Anchorage) who sponsored Senate Bill 137.

Senator Leman noted that labor law and regulation have become so convoluted that reimbursing EMT and fire fighting volunteers for out-of-pocket expenses has placed them over the wage and hour line as "employees". When volunteers become classified as employees, the volunteer organizations find they are subject to the same rules and regulations as licensed businesses. This means the volunteer organizations cannot legally reimburse volunteer expenses without additional paperwork and withholdings.

"Alaska is fortunate to have an army of volunteers serving as EMT’s and fire fighters," Leman said. "This change will help us to continue to receive the benefit of volunteer services."

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