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Winter 2006
 You Need to Know
By Terry Frakes
Senior Vice President of Public Affairs
State increases fixed payroll, weekly benefit rates
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) increased the maximum weekly temporary income benefit rate from $540 to $674 and the minimum weekly rate from $81 to $101. The new benefit rates apply to employees injured on or after October 1, 2006.
The DWC also increased the fixed payroll for sole proprietors and partners from $35,100 to $43,800. Insurance carriers use fixed payroll to calculate workers’ comp premium rates for sole proprietors and partners in a business.
Fixed payroll and weekly benefit rates are based on the average weekly wage (AWW) set by the DWC. The current AWW is $673.80, and it is subject to change on October 1, 2007. The previous AWW was $540.
Learn more about the workers’ comp system
The DWC offers educational opportunities across the state on a variety of workers’ compensation topics, including work comp basics, safety and return-to-work. Many of these sessions are “brown bag” lunchtime sessions that last approximately 90 minutes. Click here for the schedule.
Legislature gets set to kick off 2007 session
The next session of the Texas Legislature starts on January 9, 2007. The deadline for filing bills is March 9, and the session ends on May 28. The governor has until June 17, 2007 to sign or veto bills that the Legislature passes. Any bill not acted upon by then will automatically become law. Some of those laws may affect you.
You can keep up with proposed legislation at www.capitol.state.tx.us. You can get more information about the Senate and House of Representatives, including audio and video coverage, at www.senate.state.tx.us and www.house.state.tx.us.
COMPNEWS - Winter 2006
Bird Flu: What it
Means to Your Business
Personal Tips for Weathering a Flu Pandemic
New Claim Teams Help Cut Costs
Your Role in the Return-to-Work Process
President's Message: Fifteen Years of Service to Texas
Fraud-Fighting Corner
State increases fixed payroll, weekly benefit rates
Learn more about the workers’ comp system
Legislature gets set to kick off 2007 session
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