HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     SSB 6361

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                              Commerce & Labor

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

Brief Description:  Continuing the industrial insurance labor‑management cooperation program.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Anderson, McMullen and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Labor & Industries).

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, February 27, 1992, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Fuhrman, Ranking Minority Member; Lisk, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Franklin; Jones; R. King; O'Brien; Prentice; and Vance.

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 Bill:  The industrial insurance labor-management program is codified and the June 30, 1992, expiration date for the program is repealed.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This program has proved to be a model program.  It is successful and popular with both labor and business.  It should be made permanent.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Ann Anderson, prime sponsor.