Workers compensation premium rates have declined for eight straight years in North Dakota, pushing rates in the state to the lowest in the nation, according to a national survey.

National premium rates ranged from North Dakota's low of $1.24 per $100 of payroll to a high of $5.23 per $100 of payroll in California for 2002, according to a survey by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. The survey is done every two years.

"The cumulative effect of eight years of premium reductions means that more than $130 million has gone back into this state's economy," said Brent Edison, executive director and CEO of North Dakota Workers Compensation.

"We hope those involved in economic development efforts for our state can use this important information to show potential businesses, thinking of relocating here, that this is a great state to do business with, especially when it comes to workers compensation premium rates."

Premiums collected in the state peaked in fiscal year 1996 at $133 million and dropped to $93 million in fiscal year 2002.

During that same period, claims by workers declined from 7.47 per 100 workers in 1996 to 6.6 per 100 in 2002.

Edison said the decline came in part because of an emphasis on safety and return-to-work programs, which began in the mid-1990s.

"We are working to make North Dakota's business environment the best in the nation, and this new ranking definitely helps," said Rep. George Keiser, R-Bismarck, who chairs the House Industry Business and Labor Committee.

"This is an example of what can be done when business and government work together."

North Dakota ranked as the 35th highest for premiums in 1996 and in 2000.

(Reach reporter Mark Hanson at 250-8264 or mark@ndonline.com.)