5566 AMS NELS NICH 073

SB 5566 - S AMD TO S-1949.5 181

By Senators Nelson, Keiser, Chase, Prentice

NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2011

    On page 1, line 3, strike all of section 1 and insert the following:

" NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 51.04 RCW to read as follows:

    The legislature finds that Washington's workers' compensation system is a complex system that has several unique features not commonly found in the workers' compensation systems of other governments.  The legislature acknowledges that there have been calls for systematic reform of Washington's workers' compensation system in order to reduce short term and long term pension costs, and bring the system more in line with the systems of other states.  However, the legislature finds it is critical that proposals to reduce costs be balanced against the fundamental purpose of the workers' compensation system, which is to provide sure and certain relief for workers injured in the course of their employment.  The legislature finds that proposals for significant systematic workers compensation reform need deliberate, collaborative, and thoughtful evaluation in order to ensure changes have no adverse impact on worker outcomes, accountability, system efficiency, or cost predictability.  The legislature therefore establishes a joint select committee on workers compensation to review and recommend proposals to reduce short term and long term pension costs while protecting the rights and outcomes of injured workers, including an examination of voluntary settlement agreements, programs to encourage and facilitate light duty and transitional work, and an evaluation of occupational diseases.

    The joint select committee shall consist of eight members, including the chair and ranking minority member of the Senate labor, commerce, and consumer protection committee and the chair and ranking minority member of the House labor and workforce development committee.  Two of the remaining members shall be appointed by the leaders of the two largest caucuses in the Senate; and two shall be appointed by the leaders of the two largest caucuses in the House of Representatives.  Members of the committee must be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120; expenses of the committee must be paid jointly by the Senate and the House of Representatives; and committee expenditures are subject to approval by the Senate facilities and operations committee and the House of Representatives executive rules committee, or their successor committees.  The committee shall choose its co-chairs from among its membership, with the chair of the Senate labor, commerce, and consumer protection committee and the chair of the House labor and workforce development committee convening the initial meeting of the committee. 

    The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2011. 

    This section expires January 1, 2012."

    On page 4, line 4, strike all of section 2.

    On page 5, line 14, strike all of section 3.

    On page 5, line 28, strike all of section 4.

    Renumber the remaining sections.

SB 5566 - S AMD TO S-1949.5 181

By Senators Nelson, Keiser, Chase, Prentice

NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2011

    On page 12, line 7 of the title amendment, strike everything after "authorization" and insert "creation of a joint select committee to review and evaluate proposals to reduce short term and long term costs while protecting the rights and outcomes of injured workers and creation of a return to work subsidy program; reenacting and amending RCW 51.32.090; adding a new section to chapter 51.04 RCW; and creating a new section."

EFFECT:   Removes the sections authorizing voluntary settlements and creates a joint select committee.

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