HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2585

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                      Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to the industrial insurance labor-management cooperation program.

Brief Description:  Canceling the expiration date for the industrial insurance labor‑management cooperation program.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives J. Kohl, Heavey, Fuhrman, Jones, G. Cole and Basich; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, February 4, 1992, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Fuhrman, Ranking Minority Member; Lisk, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Franklin; Jones; R. King; O'Brien; Prentice; Vance; and Wilson.

Staff:  Chris Cordes (786-7117).

Background:  In 1991, the Legislature authorized the Department of Labor and Industries to promote and support labor-management cooperation committees to address issues in the industrial insurance system.  During its first year, the program assisted the formation of four labor-management committees, developed materials to guide the committees, adopted department rules for the program, and began the publication of a newsletter.

The program terminates June 30, 1992.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Industrial Insurance Labor-management Program is codified and the June 30, 1992 expiration date is repealed.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute codifies the sections establishing the labor-management program, deletes duplicative definitions, and makes other technical changes.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The labor-management program has been in place a relatively short time, but it has been enthusiastically supported by both labor and management.  There have been inquiries from other states about the program.  Several labor-management committees have been formed and they are having a positive impact.  The committees offer greater opportunities to support injured workers and to establish lines of trust and communication.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (In favor): George Lewis, Department of Labor and Industries; Sally Fisher, Clark County Disposal; and Jeff Johnson, Washington State Labor Council.