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Senate committee increases Bureau of Workers’ Compensation safety grants by $7 million a year and removes ombudsman rename
Summary
Committee adopted an amendment to increase the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) safety grants appropriation by $7 million per fiscal year and removed language renaming the workers’ compensation ombudsman office; both amendments passed unanimously in committee roll calls.
Senators unanimously approved an amendment to increase annual appropriations for the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation safety grants by $7 million per fiscal year and to eliminate a controlling‑board requirement for the grant program.
Senator Patton explained the amendment, saying the funds support safety for both private employers and public safety workers and noting that, so far this year, about 81% of safety grant money had gone to private sector recipients. “I hope that they make more of an effort to expand some of these safety grant dollars to the people that have a more challenging job than the private sector,” Patton said.
A roll call was held and the amendment (No. 0505) passed unanimously and became part of the amended House Bill 81. Separately, senators also adopted amendment No. 0482 to remove language renaming the workers’ compensation ombudsman system as the Workers’ Compensation Customer Advocacy Office; that amendment likewise passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The appropriation increase directs more state safety‑grant funding into BWC’s program and alters the program’s administrative oversight by removing the requirement to seek the controlling board for the established grant program. Committee sponsors and members said they view the grants as supporting workplace safety for both private employers and public safety agencies.
The committee recorded roll calls for both amendments; no further action on the bill was taken during the session.
