# Alaska Stat. § 23.30.008: Powers and duties of the commission

> Alaska · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.008

## Section

- **Citation:** Alaska Stat. § 23.30.008
- **Heading:** Powers and duties of the commission
- **Jurisdiction:** Alaska
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AK Code / Title 23 / Chapter 23.30 / Section 23.30.008

## Text

(a) The commission shall be the exclusive and final authority for the hearing and determination of all questions of law and fact arising under this chapter in those matters that have been appealed to the commission, except for an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court. The commission does not have jurisdiction in any case that does not arise under this chapter or in any criminal case. On any matter taken to the commission, the decision of the commission is final and conclusive, unless appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court, and shall stand in lieu of the order of the board from which the appeal was taken. Unless reversed by the Alaska Supreme Court, decisions of the commission have the force of legal precedent.

(b) The commission, in its administrative capacity, shall maintain, index, and make available for public inspection the final administrative decisions and orders of the commission and of the board. The chair of the commission may review and circulate among the other members of the relevant commission appeal panel the drafts of the panel's formal decisions and decisions upon reconsideration. The drafts are confidential documents and are not subject to disclosure.

(c) The chair of the commission shall draft and propose, and the commission in its administrative capacity may adopt, regulations implementing the commission's authority and duties under this chapter, including rules of procedure and evidence for proceedings before the commission under this chapter. The provisions of AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) apply to the adoption of regulations by the commission.

(d) In an appeal, the commission shall award a successful party reasonable costs and, if the party is represented by an attorney, attorney fees that the commission determines to be fully compensatory and reasonable. However, the commission may not make an award of attorney fees against an injured worker unless the commission finds that the worker's position on appeal was frivolous or unreasonable or the appeal was taken in bad faith.

(e) The commission, in its administrative capacity, may adopt and alter an official seal and do all things necessary, convenient, or desirable to carry out the powers expressly granted or necessarily implied in this chapter.

## Nearby sections

- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.001 Legislative intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.001.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.002 Division of workers' compensation; director.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.002.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.005 Alaska Workers' Compensation Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.005.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.007 Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.007.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.008 Powers and duties of the commission.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.008.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.009 Powers and duties of the chair of the commission.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.009.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.010 Coverage.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.010.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.011 Extraterritorial coverage.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.011.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.012 Agreements in regard to claims.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.012.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.015 Compensation where third persons are liable.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.015.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.017 Immunity for third-party design professional.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.017.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.020 Chapter part of contract of hire.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.020.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.022 False statements by employee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.022.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 23.30.025 Approval and coverage of insurance policies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.025.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T23_C23.30_S23.30.008. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.