Washington Hearings on Workers’ Comp Rate Holiday Begin This Week

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will begin its hearings on a proposal to reduce to zero for six months the premiums employers and workers pay into one of the funds that supports the state’s workers’ compensation system.

Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the proposed rate holiday earlier this month. If adopted, the rate paid into the Medical Aid Fund would be reduced to zero in the second half of 2007. Because workers and employers pay equally into that fund, both would benefit in nearly equal amounts.

The hearing schedule is as follows:
• Wednesday, Dec. 13: 1 p.m. at L&I’s Tukwila office, 12806 Gateway Dr.
•Thursday, Dec. 14: 10 a.m. at the Ridpath Hotel, 515 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane
•Friday, Dec. 15: 10 a.m. at L&I’s Tumwater headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way S.W.
•Monday, Dec. 18: 1 p.m. at L&I’s Yakima office, 15 W. Yakima Ave.

Written comments should be sent to Ronald Moore, acting manager, Employer Services, P.O. Box 44140, Olympia, WA 98504-44140, or mooa235@LNI.wa.gov. Comments need to be received by the close of business Jan. 5. A final decision on the rate holiday proposal will be made on Jan. 24.

Source: L&I