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Senate debates workers— compensation threshold for farm and ranch employees; amendment fails, bill advances
Summary
Senate debate centered on House Bill 280, which creates tiered workers— compensation requirements for farm and ranch employers; an amendment to lower the payroll threshold from $50,000 to $25,000 failed and the bill advanced to third reading on a 25-1 vote.
Senators debated House Bill 280, a proposal to revise workers— compensation requirements for farm and ranch employers, and ultimately advanced the measure to the third-reading calendar.
The bill, described by its floor sponsor as a tiered approach, would require different levels of coverage depending on payroll: a lower tier exempting very small employers, a middle tier requiring a $300,000 general liability policy with some medical coverage, and full workers— compensation for operations above the top threshold. The sponsor framed the measure as a compromise intended "to make sure that we don't get to a point to where it shuts down farms and ranches in the state." (Senate floor remarks.)
Senator Steiner offered an amendment to reduce the payroll threshold that would trigger workers— compensation from $50,000 to $25,000. "My amendment is to reduce the $50,000 threshold for requiring workers' compensation insurance down to 25,000," Steiner said, arguing the compromise—s $300,000 policy "doesn't go too far in the case of a serious injury" and citing past injuries with medical costs "well over $500,000." Steiner added that $25,000 is closer to the statewide average annual wage and would extend broader protection to workers.
Supporters of the amendment, including Senator Suazo, said the lower threshold would cover more people at risk. Opponents warned the change could undermine a negotiated compromise. "This bill is a very much a consensus compromise type bill," said a proponent during debate, urging caution about a substantial amendment that could "mean the demise of what we're trying to accomplish." (Senate floor remarks.)
The amendment failed on a voice vote. The body then voted on the bill for third reading. The chair announced that House Bill 280 passed to the third-reading calendar with a roll-call tally of 25 aye votes, 1 nay vote and 3 absent.
What happens next: HB 280 will be scheduled for third reading, where the full Senate will vote again on final passage. If passed there, the bill will move to the enrolling and signing process specified by legislative procedure.
Reported vote: HB 280 to third-reading calendar — 25 aye, 1 nay, 3 absent.
Speakers quoted in this article are recorded in the session transcript.
