HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1851

As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to modifying the definition of small employers for insurance purposes.

Brief Description:  Modifying the definition of small employer to include school districts.

Sponsors:  By Representative McMorris.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/20/01, 2/22/01 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/9/01, 92-0.

Passed Senate: 4/10/01, 49-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

$School districts are included in the definition of "small employer" or "small group" for the purposes of purchasing health insurance.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Conway, Darneille, Edmonds, Edwards, Marine, McMorris, Pennington and Ruderman.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background:

School districts that employ no more than 50 employees are not included in the definition of "small employer" or "small group" for the purposes of purchasing health insurance.  This may limit their ability to purchase health insurance for employees.

Summary of Bill:

The definition of "small employer" or "small group" is modified to include school districts.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Small rural school districts have a difficult time finding affordable health insurance for their employees.  The change proposed in this bill will give small school districts more flexibility in purchasing health insurance.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative McMorris, prime sponsor; Doug Nelson, Public School Employees; and Dan Steele, Washington State School Director=s Association.