2001-01-12                     Senate Journal                      Page 0065
SB 31                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 31 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act related to minimum civil penalties for the                                        
          death of employees due to violations of certain                                           
          occupational health and safety requirements; and                                          
          providing for an effective date."                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce,                                     
Judiciary and Finance Committees.                                                                   
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration                                              
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Labor & Work Force                                          
  Development                                                                                       
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
In many worker fatality situations, death is the result of serious                                  
violations of health and safety laws. Yet due to mandatory penalty                                  
reductions for employer size or prior record, fines for these violations                            
may be as little as $1,500. In these tragedies, the penalty clearly does                            
not fit the offense.                                                                                
                                                                                                    
This bill I transmit today establishes a minimum civil penalty of                                   
$25,000 for a serious violation that contributed to the death of an                                 
employee, and a $50,000 fine when an employer's willful or repeat                                   
violation contributes to or causes death. These penalties could not be                              
reduced without express written approval of the commissioner of the                                 
Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the attorney                                      
general.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2001-01-12                     Senate Journal                      Page 0066
This bill is modeled after Minnesota's law for penalties for violation of                           
occupational safety and health standards and makes a clear statement                                
that worker fatalities due to violations of workplace safety laws are                               
intolerable. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                               
                                                                                                    
       Sincerely,                                                                                   
       /s/                                                                                          
       Tony Knowles                                                                                 
       Governor