(September 17, 2014) The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing an average 1.8 percent rate increase for 2015 workers’ compensation premiums. Rates vary by risk classification, and the proposed increase for employees in the hotel and motel classification is 6 percent.

Under this rate proposal, workers would pay on average about 25 percent of the premium, a similar percentage to that paid in 2014. The actual percentage depends on the classification of the worker’s company and its recent claims history.

Given the significant increase for the hotel and motel risk classification, WLA encourages its members to email comments on the proposed rates to Jo Anne Attwood, administrative regulations analyst, at joanne.attwood@Lni.wa.gov or to make plans to attend one of the following public hearings on the proposed 2015 rates:

• Bellingham, Oct. 22, 9 a.m., Whatcom Community College
• Spokane, Oct. 23, 9 a.m., CenterPlace Event Center
• Richland, Oct. 24, 9 a.m., Richland Community Center
• Tumwater, Oct. 27, 9 a.m., L&I Building
• Tukwila, Oct. 28, 9 a.m., L&I Office, Gateway Corporate Center
• Vancouver, Oct. 30, 9 a.m., Northwest Regional Training Center

Comments may be mailed to Jo Anne Attwood at P. O. Box 41448, Olympia, WA 98504-4148. All comments must be received by 5 p.m., Nov.ember 3, 2014.

More information regarding the rates proposal is available at www.Rates.Lni.wa.gov. Final rates will be adopted by Dececember 1 and go into effect January 1, 2015.

The Washington Lodging Association offers a Workers’ Comp Safety & Savings Program that lowers workers’ comp costs through meticulous claims management and proactive safety programs. In 2014 WLA returned more than $1.4 million in premium refunds to members enrolled in the program. Learn more here.