WSR 20-08-105

EXPEDITED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed March 30, 2020, 4:49 p.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 296-17 WAC, General reporting rules, audit and recordkeeping, rates and rating system for Washington workers' compensation insurance.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: 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 emergency rule making is being performed to immediately activate the classification rates.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: 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.

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

Statute Being Implemented: ESB 6421.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Washington state legislature, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Jo Anne Attwood, Tumwater, 360-902-4777; Implementation: Mike Ratko, Tumwater, 360-902-6369; and Enforcement: Victoria Kennedy, Tumwater, 360-902-4997.

This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:

Content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: 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.

NOTICE

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Keith Bingham, Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44148, Olympia, WA 98504-4148, phone 360-902-4826, fax 360-902-4988, email Keith.Bingham@Lni.wa.gov, AND RECEIVED BY June 1, 2020.

March 30, 2020

Joel Sacks

Director