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Committee reports bill defining delivery app drivers as independent contractors; moves to insurance committee
Summary
Senate Bill 35 would align delivery‑network‑company drivers with transportation network company drivers under workers' compensation and classify them as independent contractors. The Senate State Affairs Committee reported the bill out with individual recommendations and sent it to a subsequent committee for insurance and labor review.
The Senate State Affairs Committee on April 22 reported Senate Bill 35 out of committee with individual recommendations; the measure would amend workers’ compensation statutes to align individuals who provide delivery services through network delivery companies with those who provide services through transportation network companies.
Sponsor Senator Jesse Bjorkman of the Kenai Peninsula reintroduced the bill, explaining it would define delivery‑network‑company (DNC) drivers as independent contractors and align statutory treatment with transportation network companies (TNCs). Bjorkman told the committee the change is intended to clarify coverage under workers’ compensation law and that the bill’s next stop is a committee with jurisdiction over insurance, labor and commerce to address related insurance questions.
The committee recorded no objections when Senator Grama Jackson moved the bill be reported out of committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note. Written letters from several delivery platforms were included in the record. The committee forwarded SB35 to the appropriate committee for further review of insurance and labor issues.
Supporters and opponents were not extensively recorded in the April 22 transcript; the sponsor and staff said the change seeks statutory alignment and clarity. The bill is expected to receive review focused on insurance coverage, employer obligations and the consequences for driver classification in subsequent committee work.
