2022 legislative review
As a result of ESD ’ s announcement 2SSB 5649 was substantially amended . The amendment includes the following key provisions : a JLARC audit by October 2024 ; an OFM outside contract to hire a financial consultant ( actuary ) to help with fund analysis and solvency projections ; a legislative task force to develop recommendations for 2023 legislative session changes ; and several other accountability measures . AWB will serve on the legislative task force created by the bill , which passed the House 96-2 and the Senate 42-7 .
workers ’ compensation
As in 2021 , the 2022 session continued to see a shift in workers ’ compensation bills being introduced . There is a push to fundamentally change the balance of the no-fault system and exclusive remedy provisions in the statute . We also continued to see attempts to misappropriate 608 ( Accident ) & 609 ( Medical Aid ) Funds .
AWB continues to oppose the misuse of dedicated workers ’ compensation funds for any purpose other than workers ’ compensation .
SB 5627 / HB 1763 concerning injured workers ’ rights during independent medical examinations
Failed / AWB Opposed
House Bill 1763 , introduced by Rep . Dan Bronoske , D-Lakewood , and Senate Bill 5627 , introduced by Sen . Derek Stanford , D-Bothell , are companion bills and would have allowed an injured worker to make an audio and video recording of an independent medical examination ( IME ), and to have one person of the worker ’ s choosing present during the examination . An IME task force made up of business , labor and legislators specifically rejected this proposal . The state already has a shortage of IME providers . This law would only exacerbate that shortage . Both bills failed to move .
SB 5835 concerning workers ’ compensation
Failed / AWB Opposed
Senate Bill 5835 was introduced by Sen . Rebecca Saldaña , D-Seattle . The original bill required the same percentages of the worker ’ s wages to be received by an injured worker for a permanent total disability whether a worker is married or unmarried . It also removed the requirement that an injured worker be married to receive an additional $ 10 per month when the worker is receiving the minimum monthly payments for a permanent or temporary total disability . This bill would have substantially raised the cost to administer the workers ’ compensation program . The average percentage for the current system is 63.3 %. This original bill would have raised that to 65 %. We know that a rate of 70 % would increase cost from $ 600 million to $ 1 billion . A substitute was proposed but failed to move . The substitute would have added a study by the Department
Sen . Curtis King , R-Yakima , is ranking minority member on both the Senate Transportation and Labor , Commerce & Tribal Affairs committees .
10 association of washington business