SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2060

BYRepresentatives Patrick, Leonard, Beck, Vekich, Baugher, Prentice, Crane, Doty, Inslee, Padden, Kremen, Rayburn, Holland, Walker, Wolfe, Silver, Ballard, Miller, Rector, Winsley, Smith and Todd

Providing industrial insurance coverage for the horse racing industry.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 28, 1989; March 29, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McMullen, Matson, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Charles A. Woods (786-7452)

                  March 30, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, MARCH 29, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In the horse racing industry, licensed trainers who employ workers at parimutuel horse racing tracks pay industrial insurance premiums on a "per start" basis under rules adopted by the Department of Labor and Industries.

SUMMARY:

Industrial insurance premiums for horse racing employments at parimutuel race tracks must be computed on a per license basis in an amount set at the basic manual rate, without experience rating.

The premium must be paid at each issuance or renewal of owner, trainer, or groom licenses.  The Horse Racing Commission is directed to collect the premium assessments at the time of licensing and deposit the assessments in the industrial insurance trust funds.  The premium will provide industrial insurance coverage for workers licensed by the commission, including exercise riders, pony riders, and grooms.  For the purpose of paying the assessments, owners and trainers are deemed the employers.

Workers' wages for employments at parimutuel tracks are not subject to medical aid or supplemental fund premium deductions.

The authority of the Horse Racing Commission to require licenses for periods no longer than three years is changed to require annual licenses.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 20, 1989

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect April 1, 1989.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Industrial insurance premium assessments are made retroactive to January 1, 1989 and the Horse Racing Commission is authorized to collect the assessments from all licensees licensed or relicensed prior to the April 1, 1989 effective date.  Owners are removed from the designation of "employer" for the purposes of the act, but will pay an assessment not to exceed $150 as part of the privilege of holding an owner's license.  A study by the House Commerce and Labor and Senate Economic Development and Labor Committees is authorized to review the industrial insurance coverage of the horse racing industry, specifically to include coverage of jockeys.

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Representative Michael Patrick, prime sponsor; Carl Baze, WHBPA; Ed Moger, WHBPA; Jim Penney, WHBPA; Jean Leonard, Jockey's Guild; Doug Connell, Department of Labor and Industries