Group Formed To Implement Ag Workers Comp Batt Wants To Make Transition As Easy As Possible For Farmers

Starting next January, Idaho farm workers will be covered for the first time under workers compensation insurance, and Gov. Phil Batt has created a task force to make that transition as smooth as possible.

Batt said Thursday the task force will include agriculture and agency representatives.

“There has been a lot of misinformation and fear spread about the workers’ compensation program in the past few months,” the governor said in a prepared statement. “I want producers to know we will do everything in our power to make the sign-up into the program as simple as possible.”

The State Insurance Fund estimates there will be 6,000 new policies added as a result of legislative action removing the agricultural exemption from the law requiring other employers to cover their workers.

Batt said the task force has been directed to put together an education program to answer questions from farmers and ranchers. Part of that education effort will include information meetings throughout the state during the spring.

Representatives from the state Department of Insurance, State Insurance Fund, Industrial Commission, Idaho Farm Bureau, Food Producers of Idaho and other groups are on the task force.

Batt also plans to appoint an ombudsman to help deal with the problems of implementing workers compensation for farm workers. A spokesman said Thursday that position will be with the State Insurance Fund but hasn’t been filled yet.