Workers' Compensation
Issue Overview: One of the most important issues facing NFIB/Wyoming's members is workers' compensation. Bills arise every year looking to increase benefits, change procedures, improve administration and change coverage. The Department of Employment is proposing a change to the formula used to calculate employer's premiums. The proposed formula will remove nearly all incentives to have a safe workplace and may increase premiums on smaller employers the most.
NFIB Position: As a general rule, NFIB/Wyoming members support legislation that makes the workers' compensation system more efficient, reduces premiums and ensures proper coverage and benefits for employees. It also opposes rule changes that could reduce safety at the work site. If accident rates increase, premiums will increase for all employers under the proposed formula.
What to Say/Do: As workers' compensation issues arise, NFIB/Wyoming members will be contacted via the Fax Network advising them of the effect of any proposal. Further, when advised by the Department of Employment about a public hearing or the opportunity to give testimony regarding the formula change, members need to contact their legislators, the governor and provide testimony to the Department of Employment. You can write to or call your legislator at home during the 2007 interim and you can testify at interim committee meetings and at public hearings that deal with workers' compensation.
Issue Status: At this time there are no burdensome workers' compensation bills in the Wyoming Legislature.
