Government Affairs
WSIA members benefit from an active and year-round advocacy effort in Olympia across all three branches of government. Learn more about our policy agenda and find out how you can get involved with WSIA's advocacy work.
Washington State Legislature
WSIA has played an integral role in negotiating and advocating for self-insured employers and their employees. The association has earned a seat at the legislative bargaining table when major policy changes are in play, such as the 2011 workers' compensation reforms. WSIA members benefit from year-round legislative representation and monitoring with a full-time lobbyist in Olympia. During the legislative session, WSIA provides weekly updates to members on legislative developments and breaking news. We also provide a post-session wrap-up deconstructing the session with an eye toward workers' compensation and related insurance issues. WSIA also works year-round to identify potential legislators and support existing lawmakers with our Legislative Fund.
> See our most recent legislative agenda
> Learn about our political action committee
Department of Labor & Industries
WSIA works closely with the state Department of Labor & Industries on issues like self-insured workers' compensation and workplace safety. Our executive committee meets quarterly with the L&I director and the agency's executive management to discuss issues, share concerns, and collaborate on projects. Our liaison committee meets bi-monthly with L&I's self-insurance section on program management, claims, and operational issues affecting self-insureds.
The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals
WSIA provides nominations for employer and public representatives on the board. The association also serves as a liaison to the employer member of the board to advocate for quick and fair adjudication of L&I appeals.
The Courts
In keeping with our mission, WSIA works to educate the state appeals courts on the importance of fair and reasonable interpretation of the state's workers' compensation and workplace safety laws. WSIA frequently files amicus curiae ("friend of the court") briefs in cases with issues of broad importance to the self-insured community.
WSIA plays a vital role in the legislative process. We would not have the workers' comp reforms that we do today without their advocacy work in Olympia. - Lori Daigle, Executive Vice President, Sellen Construction