Funding Supplied To Help Farm Worker Insurance More Staff Needed As Workers Comp Extended To Agriculture
Almost a year after the Legislature ended agriculture’s nearly 80-year exemption from providing workers compensation insurance, some lawmakers still are grumbling about it.
The House on Thursday voted 50-19 for a bill granting the State Insurance Fund an extra $354,500 for 14 additional workers. The agency said it needs extra help as 4,000 to 5,000 farmers buy workers compensation insurance for the first time.
The measure now goes to the governor.
Gov. Phil Batt, who pushed through last year’s historic legislation, promised farmers as he signed the bill into law that he would provide the help needed to make the transition as smooth as possible.
The workers’ compensation bill won narrow approval in the House last session, 41-29.
The new law didn’t go into effect until Jan. 1 of this year, to give farmers time to prepare. Officials feel most of the new policies will be written as summer approaches and farm activity accelerates.
Rep. Bob Geddes, R-Preston, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, urged House members to approve the supplemental appropriation, even though they might have voted against last year’s bill.
“Many of us here did not, and I did not, vote for this, but it is now law and we must provide that service and accommodate the needs of those employers out there,” he said.
Rep. JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, said, “We are in a position of being forced into this. I can’t justify it in my mind.”
Rep. Bill Sali, R-Meridian, said he voted against the appropriation as a protest. He said he was aware that after last year’s vote, workers comp for farm workers is law.
But he said lawmakers should recognize that they are adding expense to businesses.
“We need to think a little longer and a little harder when we tack these things onto the businesses of the state,” he said.
The agency’s original request was for $397,100. But the budget committee cut more than $40,000, objecting to the request for $2,300 work stations and other equipment purchases.
xxxx LEGISLATIVE ACTION Sent to Governor SB1026 (Finance) Supplemental appropriation of $354,000 in current budget to State Insurance fund for 14 additional employees help issue workers compensation policies to farmers.
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