Committee Passes Bill to Repeal 2003 Initiative, Allow Workplace Ergonomics Standards

Democrat members of the labor policy committee in the Washington state House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would repeal a 2003 voter initiative prohibiting the Department of Labor & Industries from adopting workplace standards for ergonomics. The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee voted 4-3 to pass House Bill 1837. The four Democrats on the committee voted to send the bill to the House floor with a “do pass” recommendation. Three Republican committee members voted against the bill. Rep. Larry Hoff, R-Vancouver, said the bill disregards the ...