Senators To Debate Modified Farm Workers’ Comp Bill

A committee of the Idaho Senate is expected to work again this week on what appears to be the hallmark legislation of the 1996 session, extending workers’ compensation insurance coverage to farm workers.

After a long hearing last week, sponsors agreed to a “trailer bill” modifying the original version that would end agriculture’s 79-year exemption from the law requiring almost all other employers to provide coverage. The new legislation is designed to make it even more attractive to farmers to provide the coverage.

Backers of the proposal planned to work during the weekend so the new legislation could be introduced today. Tuesday, the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee is expected to take the issue up again.

Among the changes is a requirement that the State Insurance Fund offer group workers’ compensation coverage and deductible policies which should cut the cost, not just to farmers but also to all small-business owners.

Seven times previously - most recently last year - the Legislature, dominated by rural lawmakers, has rejected similar bills. But this year, Gov. Phil Batt has put his full influence behind the effort.

Even conservatives in the House, which last year voted 47-23 against extending workers’ comp to farm workers, said at week’s end it appears some form of the legislation will be passed this year.

Meanwhile, the biggest chore of the 1996 session - setting the state budget for the 12 months starting July 1 - will begin in earnest this week.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will finish off a few requests for supplemental appropriations and will start setting the actual budgets on Friday.