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Committee advances bill delaying newly appointed workers' compensation administrative law judges' start date until Senate confirmation
Summary
Senate Bill 201 would require newly appointed workers' compensation administrative law judges to defer taking office until after Senate confirmation and would allow retention votes for board members; the Senate committee advanced the measure with a favorable recommendation.
Senate Bill 201, presented by Senator Wheeler, would change the appointment timeline and retention procedures for workers' compensation administrative law judges (ALJs) and board members. The measure passed the Senate standing committee on Economic Development, Tourism and Labor with a favorable recommendation.
Under the bill, newly appointed ALJs would not assume office immediately after appointment but would wait until the Senate confirms them; the statute would also extend the terms of currently serving ALJs slated for reappointment through June 1 of the following year to allow smoother transitions. Exceptions would be made for fills resulting from death or disability, where the governor may appoint immediately. The bill also authorizes the workers' compensation nominating committee to hold retention votes for board members — a process already used for ALJs — so a board member could be retained without reapplying each term if the nominating committee and governor agree.
Senator Wheeler said the change responds to a recent vacancy that drew very few applicants because candidates feared accepting appointment before Senate confirmation and then being denied confirmation, a circumstance that would leave them without a job. He said the measure aims to attract more qualified applicants and reduce disruptions when gubernatorial administrations change.
Senator Boswell asked whether the change would affect pay for ALJs who might have lighter caseloads; Senator Wheeler replied that salaries are set by statute (equal to circuit judges) and that the Department of Workers' Claims certifies the need for a position before it is filled.
The committee voted to advance the bill with a favorable recommendation.
Provenance: SB 201 discussion begins with Senator Wheeler's presentation on the workers' compensation appointment process (transcript segment near 921.17 seconds) and concludes after the subsequent roll call where the clerk recorded passage with favorable recommendation (segment near 1350.03 seconds).
