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Commerce and Human Resources Committee introduces workers’ compensation definition, notice and burial-benefit measures; motions pass
Summary
At a Commerce and Human Resources Committee meeting, lawmakers introduced and voted to print four resolution (RS) bills that would clarify workers’ compensation liability definitions, move a definition in Idaho code, allow electronic service for Industrial Commission notices and raise the burial benefit for fatal workplace deaths.
The Commerce and Human Resources Committee on Tuesday introduced and voted to print four resolution bills addressing workers’ compensation definitions, service of Industrial Commission notices and death benefits for workers killed on the job.
Committee members advanced RS 31776, RS 31777, RS 31782 and RS 31784 by voice vote after brief presentations and limited discussion.
Representative Chris Bruce, a sponsor, said RS 31776 “seeks to clarify which individuals within the business entity have liability for failure to obtain workers' compensation insurance, specifically, enumerating the term members.” The committee voted to introduce RS 31776; the motion was made by Representative Weber and passed by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tally.
RS 31777, also introduced by Representative Bruce, would move language that defines “member of an employer's family” from Idaho Code section 72-212 into the definitions section of Idaho Code section 72-102. Bruce described the measure as “essentially moving sections of code… closer together and defining who the, what member of the employer's family, what applies to, the workers compensation section of title 72.” Members voted to print RS 31777; the motion passed by voice vote.
Representative Bruce Skog (District 10) presented RS 31782, which would retain the requirement that the Industrial Commission give at least 10 days’ written notice of hearing to parties but allow service of that notice by regular mail, fax or email in addition to registered mail. Skog said the change would reflect current practice because courts and attorneys use electronic service more frequently, but he emphasized that “if you're pro se… you still have to be served by registered mail.” The committee moved to print RS 31782 and approved the motion by voice vote.
Skog also described RS 31784, a proposal to raise the statutory burial expense benefit for workers who die on the job from $6,000 to $10,000. Skog said the $6,000 level has been in place since 1993 and argued the increase reflects inflation and funeral costs; he said employers fund the program through insurance premiums rather than the general fund. The committee voted to introduce RS 31784; the motion passed by voice vote.
Votes at a glance
- Acceptance of minutes from Jan. 21, 2025: motion passed (voice vote). - RS 31776 (clarify which individuals in a business entity are liable for failure to obtain workers’ compensation insurance): motion to introduce by Representative Weber; passed (voice vote). - RS 31777 (move definition of “member of an employer’s family” from Idaho Code 72-212 to 72-102): motion to introduce; passed (voice vote). - RS 31782 (Industrial Commission notice: retain 10-day written notice; allow service by regular mail/fax/email; pro se parties still served by registered mail): motion to print; passed (voice vote). - RS 31784 (raise burial expense benefit from $6,000 to $10,000 for workplace fatalities): motion to introduce by Representative Weber; passed (voice vote).
Each of the measures was presented for printing/introduction; committee members did not take recorded roll-call votes during the meeting. Several presenters said the measures would not affect the general fund and described technical or inflation-adjustment rationales for the proposals. The committee recessed after the votes and noted no further business.
