HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2491

BYRepresentatives Leonard, Smith, Jones, Prentice, Walker, Cole, Forner, R. King, Vekich, Winsley, Wineberry and Ferguson; by request of Department of Labor and Industries

Promoting labor-management cooperation on the industrial insurance system.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Smith, Ranking Republican Member; Forner, Jones, R. King, Leonard, O'Brien, Prentice, Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR JANUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Some industries have implemented labor-management cooperation programs to deal with workers' compensation issues.  The Washington industrial insurance law does not specifically address labor- management cooperation programs.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  An industrial insurance labor-management cooperation program is established in the Department of Labor and Industries to improve the economy and the environment for workers and businesses and to provide a forum for industrial insurance discussions.

Through the program, the department will encourage the formation of local industrial insurance labor-management committees, serve as a clearinghouse for information on industrial insurance, and provide educational opportunities and other appropriate services.

The director of the Department of Labor and Industries must appoint a program coordinator and make annual reports on the progress of the program to the legislature.  The coordinator of the program must report quarterly to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee.

The program expires on June 30, 1991.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The amendment deletes the appropriation clause.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 6, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Bob McCallister, Department of Labor and Industries; Jeff Johnson, Washington State Labor Council; and Clif Finch, Association of Washington Business.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Local labor-management programs have proven effective as a forum for discussion of industrial insurance issues in many industries. These committees could provide a needed support system for injured workers.  The Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee endorses this proposal.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.