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House approves workforce-services restructuring and moratorium on workers' comp 24-hour coverage
Summary
Lawmakers approved amendments to House Bill 375 to impose a moratorium on the workers'compensation fund offering 24-hour coverage pending legislative review, and created a legislative working group to report by Aug. 1, 1996; the bill passed the House 61-10.
On Feb. 22 the Utah House adopted amendment language to House Bill 375 that places a temporary moratorium on the workers' compensation fund offering 24-hour coverage until the Legislature acts, and creates a legislative working group to review and report back by Aug. 1, 1996.
Representative Hudson Hunsaker, who offered the amendment, said it was designed to address competitive balance concerns between the workers' compensation fund and private insurers. The amendment also recognizes an existing study group and requires the parties to report to the legislative group by Aug. 1; the moratorium, if adopted, would remain in place until July 1, 1998.
Several members supported the amendment as an effort to negotiate across parties and affected industry representatives; others debated the fiscal implications of parallel appeals-process changes. Representative Fay Bradford proposed an amendment to preserve an absolute right to a trial de novo in court for administrative appeals; proponents characterized that option as a fairness measure, but opponents warned it would substantially increase costs and require new judges. Bradford's amendment failed on the floor after recorded voting.
The fuller bill, as amended, passed the House by voice and recorded tallies (61 yes, 10 no) and will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Next steps: The Senate will receive the amended bill; the working group and reporting deadlines are now part of the House amendments.
