HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB
2585
As Reported By House Committee on:
Commerce & Labor
Title: An act relating to the industrial insurance labor-management cooperation program.
Brief Description: Canceling the expiration date for the industrial insurance labor‑management cooperation program.
Sponsor(s): Representatives J. Kohl, Heavey, Fuhrman, Jones, G. Cole and Basich; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Commerce & Labor, February 4, 1992, DPS.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Fuhrman, Ranking Minority Member; Lisk, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Franklin; Jones; R. King; O'Brien; Prentice; Vance; and Wilson.
Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7117).
Background: In 1991, the Legislature authorized the Department of Labor and Industries to promote and support labor-management cooperation committees to address issues in the industrial insurance system. During its first year, the program assisted the formation of four labor-management committees, developed materials to guide the committees, adopted department rules for the program, and began the publication of a newsletter.
The program terminates June 30, 1992.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The Industrial Insurance Labor-management Program is codified and the June 30, 1992 expiration date is repealed.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The substitute codifies the sections establishing the labor-management program, deletes duplicative definitions, and makes other technical changes.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The labor-management program has been in place a relatively short time, but it has been enthusiastically supported by both labor and management. There have been inquiries from other states about the program. Several labor-management committees have been formed and they are having a positive impact. The committees offer greater opportunities to support injured workers and to establish lines of trust and communication.
Testimony Against: None.
Witnesses: (In favor): George Lewis, Department of Labor and Industries; Sally Fisher, Clark County Disposal; and Jeff Johnson, Washington State Labor Council.