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Legislative season warming up with some proposed bills

By Ted land

Channel 2 News

5:33 PM AKST, January 14, 2011

JUNEAU, Alaska

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Lawmakers heading down to Juneau have released another batch of proposed laws and regulations.

Among the measures, a bill by Reps. Pete Petersen and Scott Kawasaki which would require insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders.

There's also a proposal by House Democrats to offer tax breaks for oil companies that hire Alaskans.

Another bill, sponsored by Rep. Charisse Millett and Sen. Kevin Meyer, would establish a one-time payment to firefighters, police or other peace officers who die while on the job.

Some Democrats in the House of Representatives also introduced a constitutional amendment which would turn part of the state's savings into an endowment.

Windfall state revenues would feed the fund, which sponsors say would be mostly off-limits to lawmakers.

The amendment requires voter approval.

Lawmakers will gavel in for the next legislative session on Tuesday.