WSR 97-15-142

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed July 23, 1997, 10:47 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-17 WAC, workers' compensation classification plan.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.16.035 and 51.04.020(1).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Department of Labor and Industries is required by law to establish and maintain a workers' compensation classification plan. Industries are assigned to a classification based on the hazardous nature of each industry. Base insurance rates are then assigned to each classification commensurate with the hazard of each industry. The Department of Labor and Industries is proposing to replace the existing plan with a more comprehensive and descriptive plan using the clear rule writing format.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Labor and Industries will solicit input from the business community through mail surveys, focus meetings and informal public meetings.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The Department of Labor and Industries will notify businesses by mail when focus and informal public meetings have been scheduled. Individuals interested in participating in preliminary meetings can contact Frank Romero, Ken Woehl or Gary Brown of the Classification Services Unit at (360) 902-4776.

July 23, 1997

Dorette M. Markham

Deputy

for Gary Moore