BILL REQ. #:  S-1723.3 

Read first time 03/10/2005.   Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development.

     WHEREAS, The industrial insurance system in this state has been in existence since 1911; and
     WHEREAS, In the ninety-four years since its creation, there has rarely been agreement by stakeholders on the calculation of benefits, the premium rate-making process, the expenditures of funds from the accident and medical aid funds, and the general administration of the program by the state agency charged with its administration; and
     WHEREAS, Over the years various groups have come together in an attempt to improve the system. While some positive changes have resulted from these efforts, both labor and business would agree that there are still improvements to the system that need to be made;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a joint select committee on workers' compensation be established; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee consist of eight members, four members of the senate, two from each of the two largest caucuses, selected by the president of the senate; and four members of the house of representatives, two from each of the two largest caucuses, selected by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee shall convene an advisory committee to assist it in its duties under this resolution; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the advisory committee be composed of ten members. Four of the ten members shall be current members of the Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee, chosen by the joint select committee, two representing employers and two representing labor; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That of the remaining six members of the advisory committee, three shall represent employers and three shall represent labor. The six members shall be selected by the joint select committee members from two lists containing fifteen names, one list submitted by the Washington state labor council and the second list provided by the association of Washington business; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the persons chosen for the list submitted by the Washington state labor council must not be in a supervisory position and must be currently working in a position for which workers' compensation is provided; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the persons chosen for the list submitted by the association of Washington business shall currently be employers; that is, persons who operate a business that employs workers; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the six members of the advisory committee selected from the lists provided by the association of Washington business and the Washington state labor council cannot be current registered lobbyists under RCW 42.17.150 or have been registered lobbyists within the past five years, or currently supervise a registered lobbyist or have supervised a registered lobbyist within the past five years; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the issues the committee will address are limited to the following: Employability and vocational rehabilitation; final settlement agreements; independent medical examinations; wage simplification; alternative claims management; no fault/exclusive remedy system; definition of occupational disease and statute of limitations for filing; and right of entry under the Washington industrial health and safety act; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2005.