WCD Schedules Hearing on Assessment, Reporting Rules

The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division will hold a hearing on Nov. 27 on proposed rule changes that would increase the threshold for self-insured employers’ reporting requirements and set the hourly assessment rate for the Workers’ Benefit Fund.The division is proposing to raise the assessment rate for the benefit fund to 3.3 cents per hour from 2.8 cents per hour, effective April 1, 2013. Employers are required to pay at least 50% of the assessment and can deduct the remainder from wages paid to workers.The division said the increase is necessary, because the current rate...