2443-S AMH LISK HAGE 6

SHB 2443 - H AMDS 971 LOST 2-10-94

By Representative Lisk and others

On page 5, beginning on line 14, strike all of section 2

Renumber the remaining sections accordingly.

On page 12, beginning on line 21 strike the remainder of the bill and insert

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 (1) For purposes of health care coverage for seasonal workers in the state of Washington, the select committee on seasonal employment is hereby created composed of five members appointed as follows:

(a) Two shall be from the Washington State Senate, one from the majority caucus and one from the minority caucus to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(b) Two shall be from the Washington State House of Representatives, one from the majority caucus and one from the minority caucus to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

(2) Members of the committee shall serve without compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses by their respective agencies.

(3) The select committee shall have the following responsibilities:

(a)) Define "seasonal employer" and "seasonal employee";

(b) Conduct an analysis of the financial impact of health insurance coverage on seasonal employees and their employers, including analysis of the extent to which existing funding sources that currently subsidize health services costs for low-income seasonal workers can be utilized, and the feasibility of establishing a centralized pool or depository to finance such coverage;

(c) Determine the extent to which the coverage mechanisms of this chapter should be modified, if at all, to meet the unique characteristics and needs of seasonal employees and their employers.

(d) Consider in its deliberations the following:

(i) That seasonal employees shall have the same base level of benefits, and be subject to the same point of service cost-sharing and premium contribution policies as other employees, consistent with the income-sensitive requirements developed by the commission pursuant to RCW 43.72.130;

(ii) That employers and employees should contribute to the costs of health benefits coverage for seasonal employees and their dependents at a rate that is as affordable for seasonal employees and their employers as for nonseasonal employers and employees. The minimum hourly rate paid by seasonal employers towards their seasonal employees' health insurance coverage shall not have the effect of increasing the employers' monthly contribution toward seasonal employees' health insurance coverage to more than the required fifty percent of the cost of the lowest priced uniform benefits package. The minimum hourly payment rate shall be calculated on the basis of a one hundred twenty hour month, and shall be paid by employers on the first thirty hours of each week worked by a seasonal employee;

(iii) That every effort shall be made to minimize the administrative burden on seasonal employees and seasonal employers; and

(iv) That no new state agency shall be created.

(e) Utilize in its deliberations the following principles in development of a mechanism to determine the date upon which an employer's participation under RCW 43.72.220 begins.

(i) The clear legislative intent of this chapter is to minimize any adverse economic impact of employer participation on small employers, as evidenced by establishment of the small business advisory committee in RCW 43.72.060, establishment of the small firm financial assistance program in RCW 43.72.240, the requirement in RCW 43.72.140 that a small business economic impact statement be prepared by the commission, and phased-in implementation of employer participation requirements based on employer size;

(ii) The unique nature of seasonal industries results in great variations in the number of individuals employed in those industries over the course of a year. Any mechanism developed by the commission shall attempt to address this issue in a manner that: Minimizes the potential for peaks and valleys in employment to disproportionately influence the date upon which an employer's participation under RCW 43.72.220 begins; does not result in overcounting or undercounting qualified employees; and ensures equitable treatment of employers and employees across industries;

(f) Consider any unique issues related to health services access and delivery to seasonal employees.

(4) The select committee shall report its recommendation to the legislature by January 1, 1995 and shall be terminated on January 15, 1995."