AlaskaHB 21034th Legislature - Second Session (2026)HouseWALLET

OFFICER/FIREFIGHTER: DISABILITY/WORK COMP

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Bigger disability checks for employees

If you are terminated due to disability, your monthly benefit is 75% of your gross monthly pay at termination. This 75% rate applies under the state employee disability provisions.

Broader workers' comp for firefighters

The law presumes some illnesses are work-related for covered firefighters. This includes respiratory disease; heart events within 72 hours after smoke, fumes, or toxin exposure; and specific cancers (brain, melanoma, leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bladder, ureter, kidney, prostate, and breast). For cancers, you must show exposure to a known work carcinogen tied to the cancer. You qualify only if the disease starts after at least six years of service. After you leave the job, the presumption lasts six months for each year served, up to 120 months. To use the presumption, you must have a hire exam showing no disease and exams at least every two years during your first six years.

Disabled members get retiree health

If you qualify for a disability benefit, you can get retiree major medical coverage. If you or your surviving spouse receives a disability benefit and is not yet Medicare-eligible, you pay no premium for this retiree coverage.

Retiree health premium rules

If you are not Medicare-eligible, you pay the full monthly group premium for retiree major medical insurance. If you are Medicare-eligible, you pay a share based on service: 30% for 10–14 years; 25% for 15–19; 20% for 20–24; 15% for 25–29; 10% for 30+ years.

Retirement rules while on disability

When you are appointed to disability, you become fully vested in employer retirement contributions. While you get disability benefits, your employer must keep contributing to your retirement accounts based on your last gross monthly pay, and cannot take these amounts from your disability checks. You cannot take distributions from your individual account while you receive disability benefits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Chuck Kopp
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 19 • No: 21

House vote • 5/4/2026

AM NO 1 FAILED Y19 N21