Washington Business 2019 Legislative Review & Vote Record | Page 13

issue area reports | employment & workplace
Washington sector intermediary to
provide supplemental instruction for
information technology apprentices.
Funds spent for this purpose must be
matched by an equal amount of funding
from the information technology industry
members, except small and mid-sized
employers. Up to $1,000,000 may be
spent to provide supplemental instruction
for apprentices at small and mid-
sized businesses. “Small and mid-sized
businesses” means those that have fewer
than one hundred employees or have less
than five percent annual net profitability.
The sector intermediary will collaborate
with the state board for community
and technical colleges to integrate and
offer related supplemental instruction
through one or more Washington state
community or technical colleges by the
2020-21 academic year.
(4) $1,360,000 of the accident account—
state appropriation and $240,000 of the
medical aid account—state appropriation
are provided solely for the department of
labor and industries to establish a health
care apprenticeship.
(19) $313,000 of the accident account—
st a t e a p p ro p r i a t i o n a n d $ 3 1 2,0 0 0
o f t h e m e d i c a l a i d a c c o u n t— st a t e
appropriations are provided solely for
implementation of Engrossed Second
Substitute Senate Bill 19 No. 5116 (clean
energy). If the bill is not enacted by June
30, 2019, the amounts provided in this
subsection shall lapse.
This unprecedented misappropriation
of the 608/609 funds is becoming more
prevalent. AWB successfully opposed
two other attempts by the Legislature
this session to use the funds for pesticide
workgroup and immigration enforcement.
AWB continues to oppose the misuse of
dedicated workers’ compensation funds.
Bill considered as part of
AWB’s voting record
SB 5217
industrial
insurance wage
loss
Failed/AWB Opposed
Senate Bill 5217, sponsored
by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent,
w o u l d h av e c h a n g e d t h e
way time loss is calculated
for workers’ compensation.
The bill would set wages for
an injured worker at 70% of
the workers’ wages. It also
defined wages generally
to include overtime, shift
differentials, and paid leave;
and the value of board,
housing, utilities, fuel, and
the employers’ payment for
health care benefits. AWB’s
concern was that the bill
failed to allow flexibility in
calculating wages and could
have resulted in a claimant
Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, is chair of the Senate
collecting more on time
Environment, Energy & Technology Committee.
loss than they receive from
working. The fiscal note filed
bill will significantly help employers
by the Department of Labor &
Industries estimated the cost of this bill at ensure that claims are properly closed. It
nearly $1 billion. AWB opposed the bill. will eliminate the dispute that arises out
The companion bill was House Bill 1492, of a failure by the department to record
claim closure. AWB supported the bill.
sponsored by Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett.
The companion bill was House Bill 1682,
SSB 5474
sponsored by Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett.
industrial insurance and
self-insurers
Passed/AWB Supported
Substitute Senate Bill 5474, sponsored by
Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, allows a self-
insured employer to serve an order made
by the Department of Labor & Industries
closing a claim, which communication
triggers the 60-day appeal deadline. This
Favorable outcome for
Washington businesses
data, technology and
public disclosure
2SSB 5376 & 2SHB 1854
protecting consumer data
Failed/AWB Neutral/Opposed
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5376,
s p o n s o r e d b y S e n . Re u v e n C a r l y l e,
Missed Opportunities
special edition 2019
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