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: Labor and industries is required by RCW 51.16.035 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 classifications that are distributed fairly. The department has conducted a review of the drywall industry reporting and classifications and determined that certain rules are in need of revision to provide greater clarification and ease of understanding for the drywall industry. The department will work with 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: Labor and industries will solicit input for the proposed rule changes to the classification plan affecting the drywall industry.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Labor and industries has tentatively scheduled one formal public hearing to be held at the Tumwater labor and industries central office building on February 27, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. Inquiries can be directed to Ken Woehl of the classification services section at (360) 902-4775.

November 21, 2001

Gary Moore

Director

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