02/10/2006 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB51 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 51 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
February 10, 2006
3:42 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Tom Anderson, Chair
Representative Pete Kott
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Norman Rokeberg
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative David Guttenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 51
"An Act relating to modifying the qualifications required for
workers' compensation self-insurance and permitting employers in
the same trade or industry to form an employer association for
self-insured workers' compensation coverage; and providing for
an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 51
SHORT TITLE: EMPLOYER ASSN FOR WORKERS' COMP INS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MEYER
01/10/05 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/05
01/10/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/10/05 (H) L&C, FIN
01/18/06 (H) SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED
01/18/06 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/06 (H) L&C, FIN
02/10/06 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as the sponsor of SSHB 51.
MIKE PAWLOWSKI, Staff
to Representative Kevin Meyer
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on
SSHB 51.
LARRY PARTUSCH, Treasurer and Government Affairs Co-Chair
Anchorage Home Builders Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SSHB 51.
ROBERT VOGEL, Vice President of Operations
Pro Group Management, Inc.
Carson City, Nevada
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on SSHB 51.
LINDA HALL, Director
Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during hearing on SSHB 51.
PAUL LISANKIE, Director
Central Office
Division of Workers' Compensation
Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during hearing on SSHB 51.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR TOM ANDERSON called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:42:40 PM. Representatives
Anderson, Lynn, Rokeberg, and Guttenberg were present at the
call to order. Representatives Kott, LeDoux, and Crawford
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 51-EMPLOYER ASSN FOR WORKERS' COMP INS
3:42:47 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON announced that the only order of business would
be SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 51, "An Act relating to
modifying the qualifications required for workers' compensation
self-insurance and permitting employers in the same trade or
industry to form an employer association for self-insured
workers' compensation coverage; and providing for an effective
date."
3:43:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor,
began by saying that there is a sponsor substitute (SS) due to
drafting errors in the original bill. He said he would begin by
giving an oversight of how self-insurance currently works, while
explaining the changes made by the SS. The SS, he said, allows
five or more employers to "bind" themselves together for the
purpose of self-insuring against their workers' compensation
obligations. He stated that the original version amended AS
21.076.010, which applies to joint insurance arrangements.
However, he said, this bill is intended to apply to private
entities, therefore the SS shifts the proposed changes to AS
23.30.090, which governs self-insurance. Currently, a single
employer is allowed to self-insure his/her workers' compensation
obligations. He explained that the employer must submit an
application to the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board (board)
and the board can then approve or deny the application. He said
that the SS allows the new association of employers to meet the
same requirements of a single employer. He noted that the SS
does not require the board to issue a certificate of insurance
nor does it encourage small employers to self-insure, rather it
allows them to do so. He noted that there are several obstacles
which require careful evaluation, for small employers who wish
to self-insure.
3:44:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEYER said that there are many different
perspectives on this issue. He offered his belief that all
parties are in agreement regarding the high cost of insurance
and its effect on small employers. In conclusion, he said that
SSHB 51 offers a tool for small employers to "grapple" with the
costs of the [workers' compensation] system.
3:45:25 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON noted that there was a handout given to the
committee entitled "Self-Insured Groups" and inquired as to who
prepared it.
3:45:42 PM
MIKE PAWLOWSKI, Staff to Representative Kevin Meyer, Alaska
State Legislature, sponsor, replied that the aforementioned
handout was prepared by Pro Group Management, Inc., and noted
that Robert Vogel would be explaining the handout during his
testimony.
3:45:52 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON asked if Representative Meyer had a preference on
the order of testimony.
3:46:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEYER replied that Larry Partusch would be the
best person to explain the details of the bill.
3:47:09 PM
LARRY PARTUSCH, Treasurer and Government Affairs Co-Chair,
Anchorage Home Builders Association (AHBA), Anchorage, Alaska,
noted that he is also the owner of Partusch Plumbing & Heating,
Inc. and Northern Sheetmetal Fabricators, Inc. in Anchorage. He
stated that the AHBA is in support of SSHB 51. He explained
that as a self-insured group, the AHBA would be industry-
specific, which means the AHBA would be "self-placing" more than
it is currently. He said that the AHBA has a vested interest in
maintaining a safe work environment for all employees, including
those who can't afford workers' compensation insurance. He
stated that currently, the AHBA has an "assigned risk" pool, and
companies are placed in this pool regardless of whether or not
they "deserve" to be. This legislation would enable these
companies to receive coverage under the AHBA. The AHBA, he
said, would not penalize companies because of their size.
3:48:21 PM
MR. PARTUSCH stated that Pro Group Management, Inc. has a good
track record. He said that 23 percent of the employees in the
state are covered under self-insured programs through single
employers, adding that by allowing groups of single employers to
pay for insurance, the risk is spread around.
3:49:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked for an example of what the
[insurance] premium rates have done over the past few years,
along with why [Mr. Partusch] feels this would be a good idea.
MR. PARTUSCH replied that his rates have tripled over the past
five years, adding that this is "better than the norm." He
opined that this bill would not benefit rates immediately;
however, it is a start. He added that if claims can be
controlled and working environments made safer, eventually the
rates may stop increasing. It is "disheartening," he said, for
a business to do well over the year and have few claims, yet
still be required to pay high prices for insurance.
3:51:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG pointed out that past issues have
included insolvency and the ability to maintain coverage of
injured and disabled workers after employment. Referring to a
letter from Spinelli Homes, Inc., in committee packets, he asked
if Mr. Partusch would explain how he views his financial
commitments and net worth requirements, and how this would work
over the long term.
3:52:06 PM
MR. PARTUSCH said that his premium for 2006 for both companies
is $289,000. If combined with the premium of Spinelli Homes,
Inc., the total is close to $600,000.
3:52:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked what type of assets would be made
available through the association of single employers.
MR. PARTUSCH replied that he does not foresee any difficulty in
generating premium. In response to a comment from Chair
Anderson, Mr. Partusch said that the goal is to have all the
companies in the AHBA involved. He said that this way the risk
would be shared by each member in the group.
3:53:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG commented that this would require taking
on the work practices of smaller employers, which may not be as
good as other companies.
MR. PARTUSCH said that initially, the association would include
small employers that run good companies but are penalized
because of their size. He added that as this association grows,
a company with negative claim history may try to improve its
status in order to be involved in the association.
3:54:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG asked if there has been any analysis
on the projected changes to the workers' compensation rates.
3:54:57 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON explained that [during the previous legislative
session] the workers' compensation hearing process was
restructured, along with the committees responsible for
assessing injuries and the appeals process. He added that these
changes have not been fully enacted.
MR. PARTUSCH said that his rates didn't increase last year,
compared to previous years. He stated that his company's base
rate in 1999 was $4.39 per $100, and currently it is $12.39 per
$100, although he is not able to say that the increase is due to
the changes made to the workers' compensation law.
3:55:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG asked how the rate increases are
justified.
MR. PARTUSCH surmised that the rates are based on the history of
the industry.
3:56:43 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON noted that [Mr. Partusch] is not commenting on
whether or not the rates are fair or reasonable, and at this
stage does not know the full process.
MR. PARTUSCH agreed that this is correct.
CHAIR ANDERSON commented that other groups have self-insured
under Title 21, while this bill is drafted under Title 23,
resulting in different reporting requirements. He inquired as
to how this bill compares to other states, and noted that Alaska
has a unique infrastructure.
3:59:04 PM
ROBERT VOGEL, Vice President of Operations, Pro Group
Management, Inc., said that Pro Group Management, Inc. (PGM) is
a plan administrator for self-insured groups in Nevada, and is
interested in doing similar activity in Alaska. He stated that
PGM began with self-insured groups in New Mexico and then moved
to Nevada, where it currently manages four self-insured groups.
He noted that three of the four groups started in 1995 and the
fourth started in 1999, adding that the latter is a homebuilders
group.
3:59:54 PM
MR. VOGEL stated that generally, self-insured groups are
regulated in the same statute that regulates single, self-
insured employers. In Nevada, he said, this falls under the
Division of Insurance; however, some states have a separate
department of workers' compensation insurance. He said that the
PGM groups did not initially save money, noting that they are
primarily safety driven groups. If the companies follow through
with their responsibilities, he said, this will eventually
provide continuity for members.
MR. VOGEL said that this type of program requires strong
underwriting and initially, only 30-40 percent of the employers
that apply will qualify. He explained that an employer may not
qualify due to poor loss experience, not exhibiting good safety
and risk management practices, or financial stability that is
not "up to par" with group requirements. He said that the joint
and several liability agreement is the basis of a self-insured
group, adding that if necessary, the companies need to have the
financial ability to provide additional funding.
4:02:20 PM
MR. VOGEL noted that [a self insured group] is different from a
standard insurance company or a captive alternative which would
require a substantial amount of cash upfront. Instead, members
of the self-insured groups would pledge the entire company to
the success of the group which helps to ensure solvency. He
said that the self-insured group is an aggregate of the
employers who want to form the group. He stated that the long
term goal is to add additional members in order to provide the
stability needed if one member of the group filed for
bankruptcy, and he added that all employers who join the group
will be aware that this is part of the risk.
4:03:43 PM
MR. VOGEL went on to say that the group will buy additional
insurance through an "A" rated excess insurance carrier to
provide protection for catastrophic injuries and the group will
have a deductible. He stated that the market retention rate is
around $750,000, depending on the risk, and workers'
compensation claims mature in 2-3 years on average. He
explained that [the PGM] encourages groups to do quarterly
actuarial reviews that are a five-year projection of losses,
which will show whether enough funds have been collected to
cover the claims over the five year projection. He said "If you
do that on a quarterly basis, you don't have any surprises," and
he added that this will allow the group to make any necessary
rate adjustments. He said that the insurance group would be
subject to annual Certified Public Accountant (CPA) reports,
annual actuary audits, and rate reviews to ensure the protection
of the members and availability of funds to pay for claims.
4:05:28 PM
MR. VOGEL said that only those employers who exhibit good safety
practices can qualify. In addition, he stated that the group
would need to implement safety mandates, on-site job
inspections, on-site safety training, video training for all
phases of specific industry, and claims training for the
employers. This would ensure that employers report claims as
they happen. He said "The main focus ... of workers'
compensation is to be able to treat our employees fairly, ...
pay their claim ... and get them back to work."
4:07:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG remarked that Nevada is one of the
fastest growing areas in the United States and he opined that
the homebuilders in Nevada have experienced a lot of growth in
their businesses. He asked if there had been any discussion
within the [Nevada homebuilders] regarding the potential
"bursting of the housing bubble" and the impact of a rapidly
declining market on the ability to meet obligations.
4:07:42 PM
MR. VOGEL replied that the board discusses this regularly. He
said that the board does quarterly actuarial reviews and also
projects for losses that are "incurred but not reported" (IBNR).
He stated that this is to ensure that all projected claims are
taken care of, adding that on a fully reserved basis, the
builders group has a 22 percent loss ratio. He said that the
companies are offering more services with surplus funds to
ensure that the amount of claims is reduced. He stated that
when employees do not have another job to go to, the number of
claims begin to rise. In addition, he said, PGM is in constant
contact with its members so that PGM knows where its current
jobs are and where the next job is, as well as the length of the
job. He said that PGM works with its employers and employees to
work through the job ending process to ensure that there is no
carelessness. The short answer, he said, is through the
actuarial projections and premium assessment collection, which
have collected enough funds to pay out all of the expected
claims. He said the purpose of the actuarial review is to have
an independent party looking at funds that are collected and
trends in losses, and then generate enough surplus to pay for
claims that are unknown.
4:10:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked how the loss ratio for the
homebuilders group compares to the other three individual
insurance groups. In addition, he asked what kind of savings is
estimated for the homebuilders since forming their own group.
4:10:41 PM
MR. VOGEL replied that PGM has four different independent
insurance groups. He said that the loss ratio for the
homebuilders is 24 percent, compared to the industry overall,
which has a loss ratio of 45 percent. He stated that PGM has an
auto dealers group with a loss ratio of 30 percent, a
transportation group with a loss ratio of 41 percent, and a
retail group with a loss ratio of 19 percent. He explained that
the homebuilders' rate is 20 percent below the standard
statewide rate, and he added that Nevada is an National Council
on Compensation Insurance, Inc., (NCCI) state. He stated that
PGM's trucking company overall rates are about 15 percent below
the standard rate, the auto dealers are about 40 percent below,
and the retail group is approximately 20 percent below the
standard rate.
4:12:11 PM
MR. VOGEL stated that if the homebuilders had remained in the
standard market, the group would have spent about 25 percent
more than in the self-insured group.
4:13:23 PM
LINDA HALL, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of
Commerce, Community, & Economic Development, began by saying
that she has been studying [HB 51] for about one year. She
opined that this issue is a public policy call.
4:15:04 PM
MS. HALL stated that she has very serious concerns about the
legislation, which she has discussed with the bill sponsor. She
said that she would be discussing four major points, the first
of which is financial oversight. She stated that one of the
basic principles of insurance regulation is solvency oversight
to ensure that claims are paid. She said that the division does
extensive examinations, which are required by the statutes. She
said that audit teams are on the premises to look through
records, and are looking for balance sheets and the types of
investments made. She said that there are a limited number of
investments that insurance companies are allowed to make and
these are called "admitted assets." She explained that the
quality and liquidity of the investment plays a role in whether
or not it is allowed, and this is part of the regulatory
process. She noted that the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners (NAIC) has a Securities Valuation Office, which
rates the quality of investments.
MS. HALL explained that the division also determines "risk based
capital," which shows the capital funds available to pay the
loss reserves. In addition, she said that the division does an
actuarial analysis of the loss reserves. She stated that the
annual statements range from 110 to 120 pages long and are
standardized throughout the country.
4:17:28 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON noted that Mr. Vogel testified that Nevada does
perform quarterly actuarial reviews, annual independent CPA
audits, safety practice inspections, and video training. He
asked if the division is concerned that there may be a bias, as
PGM is a hired group and the division is a state entity.
4:18:12 PM
MS. HALL replied that the language of the bill doesn't require
any of the aforementioned reports and audits. She stated that
the Nevada statutes are much more detailed and require a greater
level of financial and regulatory oversight.
4:18:43 PM
MS. HALL informed the committee that the division has the
oversight and authority to penalize a company if the accounting
is not done properly. Noting that the state has a domestic
company, which is an American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
subsidiary, she explained that earlier in the week AIG agreed to
make a payment of $1.64 billion, which was partially due to
deceptive accounting practices. She stated that in 2005, the
division fined AIG $400,000 for similar reasons.
4:20:14 PM
MS. HALL went on to explain that the guarantee fund is a "safety
net" for insolvency. In 2004, she said, a major insolvency
nearly caused the guarantee fund to run out of money. During
this time, there were over 600 employees with workers'
compensation claims and, potentially, no money to pay them. She
said that the legislature worked to find a solution which has
been effective.
4:21:24 PM
MS. HALL expressed concern regarding the safety net for the
self-insured group, and opined that it is inappropriate to
include self-insured groups in regulated industry guarantee
funds. Although some states have self-insured guarantee funds,
she does not foresee there being enough groups to create a self-
insured guarantee fund in Alaska. She said that although there
have been very successful self-insured groups, there have also
been extreme failures.
4:22:13 PM
MS. HALL went on to say that one function of the division is to
oversee the practices of any person or entity performing
insurance transactions. She noted that Chapter 36 of [Title 21]
contains statutes controlling trade practices and frauds, which
give the division oversight of marketing insurance, deceptive
practices, false advertisement, discrimination, and claims
settlements. These, she said, come from insurance companies,
agents, and adjusters.
4:22:53 PM
MS. HALL explained that the division currently has the authority
to examine producers and adjusters and receives complaints on a
regular basis. She stated that over the course of the summer,
the division received complaints from injured workers who did
not feel their complaints were being handled appropriately, four
of which were regarding the same company. She said that the
division did not receive a response to letters written regarding
this issue, nor did the [Division of Workers' Compensation],
which had also received a complaint. In regard to the
aforementioned situation, she said the division is currently
going through the files of the company in question. She stated
that this type of regulatory oversight is not included in HB 51.
4:25:46 PM
MS. HALL said that she has researched other states' insurance
statutes and regulations, including Nevada. She offered her
understanding that Nevada is growing at a rate of 750 people per
day. Florida, which also has self-insured groups, has an
average growth of 1,000 people per day. She stated that Nevada
and Alaska are "very different" business environments, and she
is not sure Alaska has a large enough population to have a
viable [self-insured] program. She commented that 30-40 percent
of employers qualifying is a small number, and questioned what
happens to the remaining 60-70 percent. She said this doesn't
leave any place to spread the risk.
4:27:07 PM
MS. HALL said that [Title 21], Chapter 75 provides for the
formation of reciprocal insurers. She said that there are
currently two, the Alaska Timber Insurance Exchange and [Alaska
Power Association (APA)], both of which have been operating
successfully. She explained that the division has the same
regulatory oversight of these entities, which are smaller and
member driven. She opined that the capital requirements are
minimal, as they require $5 million, which is half of what is
required of a traditional insurer. She said that $1.5 million
does not go far, with the current cost of workers' compensation
claims. She stated that she would question the viability of an
organization if it does not have money that is liquid to pay
claims. In conclusion, she said that she has not seen a good
reason why a reciprocal [insurer] would not be effective.
4:29:14 PM
MS. HALL stated that insurance statutes were crafted to protect
the public and she does not want to see an erosion of these
protections. She expressed concern [that the division] would
not have oversight and authority of the proposed self-insured
groups.
4:29:54 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON said that insurance laws across the country are
specific in regard to what constitutes an asset or a liability
and how this value is determined. He asked if the current
version includes these.
MS. HALL replied that it does not.
4:30:16 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON asked if the division is required to monitor
assets and liabilities.
MS. HALL replied that these are included in the annual
statement. She explained that insurance companies are required
to list the various types and grades of assets, stocks, and
bonds.
4:30:38 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON asked if there is regulation in Title 23.
MS. HALL replied that the bill does not currently contain any
oversight. She said that the PGM requirements are not included
in the legislation.
4:31:05 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON clarified that this is not mandated, although PGM
would most likely adhere to its current practices.
MS. HALL said yes, and added that it is mandated in Nevada.
4:31:37 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON asked how one company's bankruptcy filing would
affect other members.
MS. HALL replied that the joint and several liability would make
the remaining members responsible for the bankrupt member. In
response to another question, she stated that the reciprocals
have an assessable policy which requires them to pay assessments
proportionately, and she added that the reciprocals fall under
the guarantee association.
4:31:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG, referring to Page 2, subsection (d),
of SSHB 51, asked if the liability is still in place once the
certificate for self-insurance has been revoked.
MS. HALL replied that she was unable to answer this question,
and shared her hope that the joint and several liability would
continue. If it did not, she said, there would be a large
number of claims that may potentially have no funding.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG, again referring to Page 2, subsection
(d), asked if this is a "fire door exit," which would allow the
self-insurance association to dissolve and then reform, leaving
it's liabilities behind.
MS. HALL replied that this might be possible.
4:33:39 PM
PAUL LISANKIE, Director, Division of Workers' Compensation,
Department of Labor & Workforce Development, stated that the
Division of Workers' Compensation currently assists the Alaska
Workers' Compensation Board in determining who is allowed to be
self-insured. He explained that he chairs the southern panel of
the board, which performs the review and makes the
determination. Due to problems that have occurred in the past,
he said, there is concern regarding the amount of regulation for
the proposed self-insured groups. He explained that the
division does not provide the same type of regulatory oversight
to the self-insured groups as it does other groups. He said
that the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards
and Commissions agrees "whole-heartedly" with Ms. Hall in regard
to self-insured groups. He stated that the aforementioned
oversight needs to be in place.
CHAIR ANDERSON said, "I hope we can work to get this into ... a
type of codified structure that would work with the safety
valves as a matter of public policy we have to vote on."
4:34:32 PM
MR. LISANKIE agreed, and added that while some larger companies
use the argument that they are "too big to fail," this does not
apply to smaller companies. He said that this places the focus
on what is being done to anticipate problems.
4:37:37 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON surmised that the Anchorage Homebuilders
Association (AHA) would say that there are successful models in
other states, and that the AHA is "really hurting" from the high
prices for workers' compensation insurance. The AHA feels [the
proposed program] would work. In addition, he surmised that Mr.
Lisankie is saying that he would err on the side of caution.
4:38:20 PM
MR. LISANKIE said that the division is worried about short-term
and long-term disabilities. He said that he and two other
individuals are required to sign documents that allow the
current large entities to assure the division that they will be
"good" for the next 20 years, which is already a concern. He
said that a company worth close to $76 million recently renewed
and the division requested a large deposit to securitize its
expected obligations.
4:39:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked if this is currently part of the
division's regulatory authority and if the company in question
was self-insured.
MR. LISANKIE replied that currently, if the board is convinced
that the [individual employer] has the financial responsibility,
the employer can be allowed to self-insure and the board can
request the filing of security.
4:39:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked how [financial responsibility]
would be determined.
MR. LISANKIE replied that the division requires annual reports,
which include financial information. He said that if a company
feels the reserves should be $2 million, the division would
accept that amount and does not perform an audit; however, he
surmised that it may be appropriate to [audit] these companies.
4:40:39 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON noted that in the 1997 legislative session,
Representative Kott sponsored a bill similar to [HB 51]. He
requested a list of what is not mandated in the bill, but is
currently required for the larger companies.
4:41:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG expressed concern with why the companies
do not want to use the current reciprocal statute. He surmised
that there would be some savings and added that it would be
helpful to see this.
MR. PARTUSCH said that he would like to have a chance to answer
these questions more in-depth at the next committee hearing.
4:43:41 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON asked for letters in support of the bill.
MR. PARTUSCH said that there are currently associations that are
neutral but are interested, and therefore he stated that he
would obtain [letters from them].
4:44:15 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON asked if the AHBA is one of these groups.
MR. PARTUSCH offered his understanding that the AHBA is "on
board" with the legislation.
4:44:30 PM
CHAIR ANDERSON announced his intention to hold the bill.
4:44:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT referred to a recent change in the workers'
compensation [statutes] and expressed concern that the changes
made had not been in effect long enough to fully understand the
effect the aforementioned changes would have on workers'
compensation rates.
[SSHB 51 was held over.]
4:45:54 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
4:46 p.m.
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