The Washington state Senate has passed three bills that are intended save businesses money on workers' compensation. One bill would overhaul a voluntary settlement system, another would move workers through rehabilitation faster and the third would lower the age of those eligible for settlements. Supporters of the bills said that they want to attract more businesses to the state. Opponents say that the changes will put increased pressure on taxpayers to fund the system.
See "WA state Senate passes workers' compensation bills", Jonathan Kaminsky, The Seattle Times, February 4, 2013