AWB’s PBT Workgroup will meet Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m., regarding electronic waste. Members representing manufacturers and retail businesses are especially encouraged to attend. A motion will be considered as to whether AWB should take a position on electronic waste legislation that will be introduced next session. AWB supported HB 2488, passed in 2004, which required Ecology to make recommendations to the Legislature by December 2005 as to how an electronic product recycling and reuse program should be implemented and financed in the state. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Last week, AWB met with L&I Director Gary Weeks to go over L&I’s recent announcement on workers’ comp rates. After it proposed a 3.8 percent average increase, AWB asked L&I not to increase workers’ comp rates this year due to a large state fund reserve and a pending audit of the workers’ comp system. Although L&I announced this month that workers’ comp rates were facing a zero average increase for 2006, L&I reached this figure by balancing a 12.1 percent increase in the employer-funded accident fund with a 10 percent decrease in the joint employer/employee-funded medical aid fund. As a result, most employers will see a rise in workers’ comp premiums for 2006 rather than a zero increase. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

 

The Washington Research Council has published a new policy brief that states: “Efforts to improve economic development and the business climate in Washington State must recognize that, along with transportation, education and the regulatory environment, the state’s housing stock has a great influence on the health of the economic environment.” Read it at: http://researchcouncil.blogs.com/weblog/files/housing_and_the_economy_final_draft.pdf

 

Please don’t forget that the Dec. 2 Board meeting has been cancelled. This meeting was replaced by our Regional Board meetings.

 

The Dept. of Ecology is currently reviewing comments from many stakeholders and interested parties, including AWB, on the agency’s proposed PBT rule. Ecology will issue its response to comments and the final rule by Dec. 31. The rule adopts specific PBT criteria and lists those specific chemicals meeting the criteria, defines how chemicals will be selected for chemical action plans, and how those plans will be developed. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

AWB has a document briefing you on what you need to do to comply with Initiative 901, the smoking ban, which takes effect on Dec. 8. See it at www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=1075&z=9. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

 

 The Dept. of Ecology has adopted its final Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSGP), effective Dec. 16. The permit contains a number of more restrictive and expensive requirements for inspections, sampling and monitoring, in comparison tothe previous version and to other states. AWB members concerned with the new permit are participating in a conference call on Nov. 30 to consider next steps. Any appeal of the permit must be filed by Dec. 16. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

 Washington’s Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald will discuss how and where the state will spend the recently approved gas tax. AWB General Counsel Kris Tefft will also talk about AWB’s legislative agenda on liability reform. The program airs 11 a.m.-12, Thursday, on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM. You may also listen at http://www.awb.org/.

 

AWB’s Health Care Committee will be meeting at AWB, 10 a.m., Dec. 19. Details on the agenda will be announced shortly. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

 

 Thanks to everyone for contributing to our AWB Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree-the state’s Christmas Tree. Be sure to attend the tree lighting ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda, 6 p.m., Dec. 2. Contact Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

 

 AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies that provide great work environments. Submit nominations by Jan. 6 to www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp. Contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

Make Sure You’re in Compliance for 2006 - Pre-order your Labor Law Posters Today Jan. 1 is right around the corner. State and federal agencies require various postings be available in a common area regularly visited by employees where they have an unobstructed opportunity to read them. Changes have been made to the 2005 postings. As an employer you need to make sure all of your postings are up to date. To pre-order, contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

Bush Gasoline Policy Avoids Mistakes of the Past - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.