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Commerce committee previews hearings on worker-reporting, WARN threshold and VIDA amendments
Summary
Committee members discussed items expected on upcoming agendas: a hearing on employer self-reporting to workers' compensation insurers, a possible Department of Labor change to WARN thresholds, and amendments to a VIDA bill to add lobbying disclosures, among other items.
At the April 11 meeting of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, members previewed several items likely to appear on the committee’s agenda in the coming week, including employee-reporting changes to workers’ compensation, a possible change to WARN Act thresholds, and amendments to the VIDA bill.
Committee staff said the next meeting will include testimony on a draft that would require self-reporting through workers’ compensation insurers when employers file late or misreport pay, a measure intended to give the committee “a better idea of what’s going on.” The staff preview also said the Department of Labor may propose a rollback of a proposed change that would lower the WARN threshold from 50 to 20 employees; the department’s position may prompt adjustments before the committee moves to amend or pass the bill.
Members also discussed a request from the commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation to add a lobbying disclosure component to the VIDA bill; staff characterized the change as a clarification to ensure business activities are covered. The committee expects to concur on that amendment when the bill returns. Members noted the committee will be on the floor at 9:30 and that timing could influence when a scheduled hearing occurs.
Other items mentioned included the Department of Motor Vehicles and other state agencies’ sale of personal data under review by the Energy and Digital committee; transportation fee schedules under review with PUC staff; and an expected limited set of witnesses for an upcoming hearing. No formal votes were taken during the April 11 meeting; the comments served to set staff priorities and hearing schedules.
