We are starting into the final week of the 2015 legislative session, and things are starting to move.
Restitution
Senate Bill 5 dealing with restitution in court cases will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, April 13. We are hopeful this will be passed to the governor this year. Leadership Council member Chris Nettels has been a strong witness for NFIB on this bill.
Daylight Savings Time
Senate Bill 6, the elimination of daylight saving time, has been sent to interim study by the House State Affairs Committee. A subcommittee chaired by Rep. Wes Keller will work on the bill and report back to the full committee next year.
Employment Tax
Senate Bill 97, by Sen. Click Bishop, would institute an employment head tax for education. The tax would be from $100 to $500 based on income and be taken out of the first two paychecks each calendar year. This, along with House Bill 182 that reinstates a state income tax, will be part of active discussions over the interim and in next year’s session.
Workers’ Compensation
House Bill 178 extends the date for the Medical Review Committee to report back on a workers’ compensation fee schedule from July 1, 2015 to December 1, 2015. We expect the process will be completed in September, so that the fee schedule will be taken into consideration in rates beginning in January 2016.
Gas Tax
House Bill 158 adds a tax of $0.01 per gallon of refined petroleum to fund Oil and Hazardous Substance Release Prevention and Response Fund. The fund is used to prevent spills of oil and hazardous substances, and prepare for and respond rapidly to spills. This bill passed the House and is in the Senate Finance Committee. It is expected to pass this year. The fund was supported by a nickel a barrel tax on oil in the TAPS line, but with the reduction in the flow, the tax no longer fully supports the fund.
Marijuana
Senate Bill 30 deals with the marijuana initiative passed last November. We have been monitoring it closely to be sure that employers maintain their ability to test employees for marijuana use, as well as drugs and alcohol. As of today, employer ability is protected.
Medicaid
Medicaid expansion and reform have been major discussions in this session. Gov. Bill Walker made Medicaid expansion part of his campaign. It has been a major discussion in this session. Thus far, neither House nor Senate has passed their version of a bill. These bills will be a key part of the activity next week as we move toward adjournment. No one is betting heavily on the bills passing or not at this point.
Past Reports
