SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5532

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, MARCH 6, 1991

Brief Description:  Revising the definition of "acting in the course of employment."

SPONSORS:Senators Matson, Owen, Oke, McCaslin, Stratton and Nelson.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5532 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Matson, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, McCaslin, McDonald, McMullen, Moore, and Murray. 

Staff:  Dave Cheal (786‑7576)

Hearing Dates:February 12, 1991; March 6, 1991

BACKGROUND:

When a worker is traveling to and from work, he or she is generally not covered by industrial insurance.  An exception to that rule is when, according to contract or other agreement with the employer, the worker is paid mileage or other compensation for that travel period.

SUMMARY:

The term "acting in the course of employment" is redefined to exclude travel to the job site prior to a work shift, travel from the job site after a work shift and provision of a vehicle, parking place or other assistance in transportation to or from the worker's regular job site.

The term "acting in the course of employment" provides the primary statutory guide as to when a worker is covered by industrial insurance.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A grammatical correction only to make the subject and verb agree in the last sentence.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Employers are encouraged to provide transportation assistance to their employees.  Bus passes supplied to workers in metropolitan areas will continue and help reduce traffic.  Workers injured while commuting are protected by other insurance systems, which are more appropriate than industrial insurance.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  James Rolland, Rolland, O'Malley & Williams (pro); Clif Finch, AWB (pro)