Senate Commerce approves Industrial Commission workers’ compensation chapter rewrite but rejects proposed deletion of in‑state office language

The Idaho Senate Commerce Committee on a voice vote accepted a comprehensive rewrite of the Industrial Commission’s workers’ compensation administrative chapter but rejected one subsection that drew prolonged questioning over whether it would weaken the requirement for in‑state claims adjusting.

Paul Jeffreys, speaking for the Industrial Commission, described rule docket 17-0101-2301 as a chapter rewrite of IDAPA 17.01.01 intended to streamline and modernize workers’ compensation rules. He said the rewrite was developed under the governor's 0-based regulation initiative and followed five negotiated rulemaking meetings with attorneys, insurer representatives, sureties and other stakeholders. "The proposed rewrite accomplishes these goals," Jeffreys said, adding examples such as updated electronic-payment and claims-reporting procedures.

The key dispute in committee focused on subsection 305.01.A, which—before committee action—read that insurance carriers, self-insured employers and licensed adjusters "shall maintain an…