Fee increase.(REGULATORY WATCH)(Brief article)

Due to the state budget deficit, California employers will soon be paying an additional $70 million through their workers' compensation premiums to fund two programs at the California Department of Industrial Relations.

About half of the assessment will go to fund various occupational safety and health programs to make up for a $40 million cut in the state budget allocation. The other half will go to fund a new labor code enforcement program to beef up workplace inspections.

Erika Monterroza, Department of Industrial relations spokeswoman, said that these additional assessments will result in an increase of a fraction of a percent on most employers' workers' compensation premiums. A small employer with a $2,300 annual premium would see an increase of about $5, while a large employer with a premium of $1 million would see an increase of about $2,200.

Staff reporter Howard Fine can be reached at hfine@labusinessjournal.com or at (323) 549-5225, ext. 227.

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