SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                            SB 5570

 

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 1994

 

 

Brief Description:  Simplifying workers' compensation procedures for small businesses.

 

SPONSORS: Senators Roach, Hargrove, Deccio, Hochstatter and Barr

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

 

Staff:  Dave Cheal (786‑7576)

 

Hearing Dates: February 25, 1993; February 4, 1994

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Department of Labor and Industries is required to classify all industries and occupations in accordance with their degree of hazard and to base industrial insurance premiums on those classifications.

 

Every employer that is not a qualified self-insurer must furnish the department with payroll information on a quarterly basis along with their premium payment.

 

SUMMARY:

 

Employers with three or fewer employees with an annual payroll of less than $5,000 pay a premium of $40 per year.  These employers are required to furnish an annual payroll report with their premium payment.  The director is given discretion to require these employers to provide supplementary information containing the name of each individual worker, hours worked, rate of pay and class or classes in which the work was performed.  If the employer indicates in a yearly report that no premium is due, the department may close the account.  The department may establish payment terms based on estimated payrolls subject to periodic adjustment based on actual experience.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  requested