WSR 15-21-067
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed October 20, 2015, 9:23 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-17 WAC, General reporting rules, audit and recordkeeping, rates and rating system for workers' compensation insurance and chapter 296-17A WAC, Classifications for Washington workers' compensation insurance.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.020 and 51.16.035.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Chapters 296-17 and 296-17A WAC establish how employers are required to report and pay industrial insurance premiums.
The department intends to review rules to:
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Clarify the rules to make them easier to understand and apply;
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Incorporate existing agency practices into rule;
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Consolidate subclassifications to remove unnecessary administrative burden from employers; and
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Define terms used within the rules to make the rules easier to understand and apply.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state, local or federal agency regulates workers' compensation rates.
Process for Developing New Rule: Labor and industries will solicit input from the business community by way of e-mail, direct mailing, and from public meetings. Interested parties may participate by commenting before proposals are made, by testifying at the public hearings, or by providing comment after the proposal is made.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Employers can get information on our rule-making process at http://www.lni.wa.gov/LawRule/ruleProcess.asp and can submit comments electronically to Annie.Peeples@lni.wa.gov or by calling (360) 902-4723.
October 20, 2015
Joel Sacks
Director