***URGENT* E-mail Sens. Murray, Cantwell Now – Vote YES! on Liability Insurance Reform
Tomorrow (Feb.24), the United States Senate will vote on medical malpractice for OBGYN physicians. “While it is not the broad medical malpractice reform bill which is needed, it is an important first step,” said AWB President Don Brunell. AWB is asking members to email Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell now and tell them to vote to end chances that the bill will be killed by filibuster and to pass this important piece of liability insurance reform! You can reach Sen. Murray at senator_murray@murray.senate.gov and Sen. Cantwell at maria_cantwell@cantwell.senate.gov. Act now!

Senate Passes Stormwater Legislation – Bill Now in House!
Last week, the Senate passed SB 6415, which directs the Department of Ecology (Ecology) on how to issue general stormwater permits. If passed, the bill would resolve the remaining issues under an AWB-led appeal of the Pollution Control Hearings Board decision from last year. “The strong bi-partisan vote of 33-13 shows that there is a clear understanding by legislators that something must be done this session to fix Ecology’s stormwater permitting program,” said AWB Governmental Affairs Director Grant Nelson. “We appreciate Ecology agreeing that the bill should move forward to allow stakeholder discussions to continue.” To learn more, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Tort Reform to be Heard in House!
SB 5728, introduced by Sen. Dale Brandland (R-Bellingham), would bring thorough tort reform to Washington. This bill, which has been opposed by trial lawyers, will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

R&D Legislation Signed into Law – Tax Incentives Extended!
Gov. Gary Locke signed House Bill 2546 into law Feb. 19. This legislation will extend high tech research and development (R&D) tax incentives in the state and is the governor’s first bill action of the 2004 Legislative Session. According to Gov. Gary Locke, this action was a key part of his economic development legislation package sent to the legislature this session. The economic development will also extend nearly expired tax incentives for “research in specific technology areas and construction of research facilities.”

Health Care Bill Now in Senate – Needs Amendment!
HB 2460, sponsored by Rep. Eileen Cody (D-Seattle), passed the House, 63-33. The goal of this bill is to make reforms to the small group market and increase the number of small employers that provide health insurance for their employees. The bill now awaits action before the full Senate. A significant amount of the bill has been negotiated between Rep. Cody and Sen. Deccio, the chairs of the House and Senate Health Care committees. As negotiated, the bill makes a number of important technical changes to how carriers provide small group health plans. Key changes to the bill are still needed to allow small employers the ability to purchase a plan that is free from mandated benefits and to have that plan priced separate from the rest of the health care market. AWB will be working to address these issues in the Senate. Contact your Senator today and tell them to give small employers greater choice in providing health care coverage. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Balch Carter at (360) 870-2915 or AmberC@awb.org.

Electronic Waste Bill Passes House – Good for the Environment, Fair to Business!
HB 2488, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cooper (D-Edmonds), addresses electronic waste. AWB worked closely with the bill’s sponsor to make sure it would be fair to business while protecting the environment. This legislation unanimously passed the House and is now in the Senate. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

No Day in Court for Blanket Primary – Find Out More!
The Supreme Court has decided not to hear Washington’s blanket primary appeal. This means the 2004 Legislature will have to adopt a new primary system before they adjourn next month. To find out more, contact AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

Workers’ Compensation – Keep Up the Calls For Action on Reform Legislation
The Senate passed a number of workers’ compensation reform bills to the House of Representatives that will provide greater accountability, efficiency and predictability to the system while providing our state fund more than $141 million in savings. To date, only one public hearing has been held on SB 646, a bill that requires L&I to develop a report on the use of wages instead of hours for premium collections. Washington is currently the only state that collects premiums this way. While a work session has been scheduled for this Wednesday on the subject of audits of the state fund and the use of workers’ compensation funds, key bills such as SB 5378 – wage simplification, SB 6317 – self-insured expanded authority, and SB 6395 - application for compensation are left unaddressed in the House Commerce & Labor Committee. Call your legislator today and urge them to ask for a public hearing and action on these important workers’ compensation reform bills. Contact AWB’s Amber Balch Carter for more information on any of these bills at (360) 870-2915 or at AmberC@awb.org.

Workers’ Compensation – “Change of Circumstance” Is a Change for the Better
Workers’ compensation law allows a claim to be reopened when there is a “change of circumstance” that would affect the benefits received. Historically, this provision has been used for a change in dependent status such as the birth of a child, a marriage, or a divorce – not because of court decisions. After the Cockle and Avundes decision were issued, claims are being reopened at an alarming rate to expand previous benefit determinations that were made under rules and law of the time. Both SB 5378 and SB 6395 contain a provision called “change of circumstance” that would prevent reopening cases based on windfall court decisions and restore the historic approach to “change of circumstance.” This change by itself will result in a $90 million savings to the state fund. Don’t let your legislator go home without acting on this important change for the better. Call the House of Representatives today and tell them to act on change of circumstance! Contact AWB’s Amber Balch Carter for more information on SB 6395 or SB 5378 by calling (360) 870-2915 or AmberC@awb.org.

JobMakers.com Updated – Find out Who’s Making or Breaking Jobs Today!
JobMakers.com has been updated with the most current information on jobs in Washington. The informational web site examines legislation and measures under consideration by elected officials and voters in Washington. Find out which lawmakers are working for or against you today!

McKenna Seeks AWB Support for Attorney General Campaign – View Speech Online!
Washington State Attorney General hopeful Rob McKenna opened himself up for questions to AWB members Thursday morning at a candidate breakfast at AWB headquarters. Don’t miss Deborah Senn during next week’s AWB Candidate Breakfast starting at 7 a.m. at AWB in Olympia. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Take a Pro-Active Approach in Your Company’s Safety – Register Today!
The Sedgwick CMS Safety Academy is offering courses for those who want to increase their safety knowledge and develop safety programs within their company. Attendees can participate in individual courses, or may choose the “Certified Safety Coordinator” program. To learn more, contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.

Electing the L&I Director is a Dog that Won’t Hunt - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.