Regional News

Condotta legislation modifying appeal penalties with Department of Labor and Industries signed by the governor

Apr 04, 2014

The governor has signed House Bill 2146, which modifies the appeal bond amount for appeals of penalties to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

Rep. Cary Condotta sponsored the legislation after becoming aware to appeal a $150 penalty with the department, a $200 appeal bond had to be paid.

“This is a simple case of common sense and fairness. No one is going to pay two-hundred dollars to appeal a penalty less than that amount. With small penalty levels and a high appeal cost, people just don’t appeal.” said Condotta, R-East Wenatchee. “I went to the department and informed them I was running legislation to correct this issue. It also provides people with more reasonable access to the appeal process without encouraging frivolous appeals.”

Under the new law the appeal amount will be 10 percent of the penalty amount, or $200, whichever is less, subject to a $100 minimum.

The bill passed the Legislature unanimously and takes effect on July 1, 2015, the beginning of the next fiscal biennium.

The Legislature adjourned on March 13, 2014 and is not scheduled to be back in Olympia until Jan. 12, 2015.