Senate Industry and Business Committee issues unanimous 'do not pass' on bill to restore pre‑1995 retirement presumption for injured workers

Senate Industry and Business Committee members voted unanimously to recommend a do‑not‑pass on Senate Bill 2094 after hearing testimony from the bill sponsor and opponents about the law’s worker protections and financial impact.

Senator Tim Mathern, sponsor of SB2094, told the committee the bill “eliminates the retirement presumption effective for post 1995 claims,” and would let “injured workers continue receiving wage loss benefits after they have become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.” He also said the proposal “eliminates the 3 year cap on disability benefits regardless of the date of injury.”

The bill's backers told the committee they introduced SB2094 because some injured workers face a sudden reduction in income when they reach retirement age and that the change would preserve…