Labor committee advances bill to raise cap on safety education fund after DOL warns of funding shortfall
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Summary
The committee moved an 'ought to pass' recommendation for LD1993, which would raise the assessment cap for the Safety, Education & Training Fund (SETF). DOL testimony showed federal OSHA funding has decreased and warned of a deficit by 2027–28 unless the cap is raised or other steps taken.
The committee considered LD1993, a sponsor bill to increase the limit on the annual assessment that supports the Department of Labor's Safety, Education & Training Fund (SETF). The fund pays for consultations, training and other workplace safety services used primarily by small employers.
Kate Barcart (Bureau of Labor Standards) told the committee the bureau has maintained services while federal OSHA grant funding has been flat or declining; she said the trust currently receives about $601,000 in federal OSHA funds and that the SETF budget is under $1 million. Using conservative cost‑growth projections, DOL staff showed the program would face a shortfall by 2027–28 if revenues remain unchanged. Barcart described LD1993 as "a maintenance of effort bill" intended to preserve current services and gave the committee alternate scenarios that would phase in smaller cap increases (1.25% or 1.5%) if members preferred to moderate the change.
Committee members discussed whether an increase in the cap would automatically raise assessments (DOL said raising the cap creates authority but does not obligate the bureau to collect at the full cap), whether an audit or efficiency review of current services should be required, and possible impacts on the regulated community. Representative Beck moved an "ought to pass" report on LD1993; the clerk recorded a roll call that showed six members in favor and four opposed. Senators and representatives opposing the motion signaled they would prepare a minority report proposing a more modest 25% increase and a directed efficiency review of the program.
Action recorded by the committee: motion "ought to pass" on LD1993 (mover: Representative Beck; second: Representative Geiger). Tally recorded by the clerk: yes 6, no 4. The committee also discussed but did not adopt specific rate changes; DOL offered to provide more detailed fiscal analyses in work session.
