The Panel of Administrators adopted a new Assessment Manual to replace the existing Assessment Policy Manual effective January 1, 2003. The Assessment Manual is written in the new manual format. It represents an editorial consolidation of material from the existing Assessment Policy Manual and relevant and still current material from 29 assessment decisions in volumes 1 - 6 of the Workers' Compensation Reporter. Out-of-date practices and procedures have been removed and the material organized more logically. Some minor "substantive" changes have been made to make policy consistent with current practice or legal requirements.