WSR 20-08-104

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed March 30, 2020, 4:48 p.m., effective March 30, 2020, 4:48 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: The department of labor and industries (L&I) farm internship program (FIP) expired December 31, 2019. ESB 6421 extends L&I's FIP until December 31, 2025. This rule making will reestablish rates for workers' compensation insurance Classifications 4814, 4815, and 4816 Farms: Internship program, by creating WAC 296-17-89508. Workers' compensation insurance classification rates must be codified immediately so that employers participating in L&I's FIP can report hours for their farm interns.

An expedited rule making is being performed to permanently adopt the classification rates.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 296-17-89508 Farm internship program industrial insurance, accident fund, stay at work fund, medical aid fund, and supplemental pension by class.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 51.16.035 (base rates) and 51.04.020(1) (general authority).

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: Without this emergency rule making, rates for the FIP classifications could not become effective. The new rates are necessary to ensure proper reporting of hours and collection of premiums for employers participating in the FIP.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: March 30, 2020.

Joel Sacks

Director