Bredesen Signs Bill Removing Contractors Exemption

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen has signed House Bill 1645, a workers' compensation reform bill that will expand coverage requirements for 10,000 construction workers.Under the bill, sole proprietors and partners engaged in construction will be required to carry worker's compensation insurance beginning on Dec. 31, 2009. The bill also removes a specific exemption for workers in Hancock and Hawkins counties.The bill exempts any person building a dwelling or other structure or performing maintenance on his or her own property.A fiscal note accompanying the bill projected that the additional...