The state Department of Labor & Industries plans a public meeting in Richland Oct. 27 on its proposed rate change.

The hearing is at 1 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Richland.

The department is proposing a 2.5 percent average increase, which the agency says is the lowest increase in five years.

Without reforms passed in the most recent legislative session, L&I Director Judy Schurke said in a news release that a 10 percent to 14 percent increase would have been needed to cover the cost of 2012 claims and begin restoring the fund's reserves.

In three years, L&I used $332 million from reserves to hold down rates during the recession.

Individual employers will see rates change depending on recent claims history and changes in frequency and cost of claims in their industry.

Washington is the only state where workers pay a substantial portion of premiums, about 24 percent of the 2012 proposed rate.

More information is available at www.rates.lni.wa.gov. Final rates will be adopted in early December and go into effect Jan. 1.