HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2444
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Labor & Workplace Standards
Title: An act relating to eliminating the reference to the standard industrial classification system in the worker and community right to know fund.
Brief Description: Eliminating the reference to the standard industrial classification system in the worker and community right to know fund.
Sponsors: Representatives Manweller, Sells and Kilduff; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor & Workplace Standards: 1/18/16, 1/26/16 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKPLACE STANDARDS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Manweller, Ranking Minority Member; G. Hunt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; McCabe, Moeller and Ormsby.
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
The Worker and Community Right to Know Act (Right to Know Act) requires the state to establish a comprehensive program for disclosing information about hazardous substances in the workplace and community. Among other things, the program assists employers in determining if hazardous substances are present in their workplace and helping employers with setting up their hazards communication program.
The program is funded through annual fee assessments to employers in industries that typically use hazardous chemicals. The Right to Know Act requires the Department of Labor and Industries (Department) to use the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code to determine which industries should be assessed a fee. The SIC system is considered obsolete and has generally been replaced with the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Summary of Bill:
For the purposes of identifying industries for the Right to Know Act fee assessment, the Department must use the NAICS rather than SIC system.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Using the updated coding system will ensure that billing for the Right to Know Act fee assessment is accurate.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Tammy Fellin, Department of Labor and Industries.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.