Bill > HB2188

This bill aims to increase transparency in Washington state's workers' compensation insurance rate-setting process by requiring the Department of Labor and Industries to provide detailed public information about premium rate calculations. Specifically, the bill mandates that the department publish the actuarially indicated rate for each risk classification and, if the director limits a premium rate increase below what actuarial principles would suggest, disclose specific details about those limitations. These details must include the rate classifications affected, what the rate would have been without the limitation, and how the limitation impacts rates for other risk classes. The bill is motivated by concerns that current practices of artificially limiting premium rates and using contingency reserves are not sustainable and obscure the true costs of the workers' compensation program. The legislature intends to promote open governance by ensuring that the public and lawmakers have clear, comprehensive information about how workers' compensation insurance rates are determined. The department must publish this information on its website, include it in proposed premium rates, and submit it to legislative committees and the workers' compensation advisory committee.

Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2188&Year=2025&Initiative=false