| HB 1833-S.E - DIGEST |
| (DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Amends RCW 51.32.185 regarding the industrial insurance presumption of occupational disease for firefighters to include certain heart injuries and certain cancers. |
Provides that when a determination involving the presumption established in this act is appealed to the board of industrial insurance appeals and the final decision allows the claim for benefits, the board of industrial insurance appeals shall order that all reasonable costs of the appeal, including attorney fees and witness fees, be paid to the firefighter or his or her beneficiary by the opposing party. |
| VETO MESSAGE ON ESHB 1833 |
| May 15, 2007 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning, without my approval as to Section 1, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1833 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to occupational diseases affecting firefighters." |
| Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1833 creates a rebuttable presumption that certain heart problems, cancer and infectious diseases are occupational diseases for firefighters that are covered by industrial insurance. I strongly support this law. The legislature's statement of intent in Section 1, however, makes broad generalizations about the incidence of cardiovascular disease. In an effort to avoid the unintended interpretations of broad generalizations, Section 2 of the bill has been carefully crafted to define specific "firefighting activities" that are related to occupational diseases. |
| For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 1 Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1833. |
| With the exception of Section 1, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1833 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine O. Gregoire |
| Governor |