Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-17 WAC, Workers' compensation general reporting and classification rules for the drywall industry.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.16.035 and 51.04.020(1).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Department of Labor and Industries is required by RCW 51.15.035 to establish and maintain a workers' compensation insurance classification plan that classifies all occupations or industries within the state and sets basic rates of premium for these classification that are distributed fairly. The department has conducted a review of the drywall classifications and determined that certain rules are in need of revision. The department will work with the Drywall Advisory Committee and drywall businesses to propose revisions to the classification plan affecting the drywall industry.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state, local, or federal agency regulates this subject.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Labor and Industries will solicit input from the Drywall Advisory Committee and drywall businesses on all changes proposed to the classification plan for the drywall industry.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication: The Department of Labor and Industries has tentatively scheduled two formal public hearings. The first hearing is to be held at the Spokane Labor and Industries Office on October 29, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. The second hearing is to be held at the Tumwater Labor and Industries Central Office Building on November 2, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. Inquiries can be directed to Ken Woehl of the classification services section at (360) 902-4775.

May 23, 2001

Gary Moore

Director

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