Senate debates amendments to workers’ compensation bill; lawmakers withdraw several changes and pause action

The Utah State Senate debated proposed floor amendments to Senate Bill 3 on the state workers’ compensation fund, focusing on whether the changes would let the state pursue self‑insurance and how that would affect the fund’s finances and oversight.

Supporters said the amendments would give the state an option to explore self‑insurance. An unidentified speaker told colleagues the fund is "actuarially sound" and that prior research concluded the change would "absolutely" have "no impact on the soundness of the fund." Blaine Palmer, identified in the proceeding as the fund’s director, was cited as concurring that the amendment would not jeopardize solvency.

Opponents pressed process and risk questions. Several senators said the amendments were added late and had not been considered by the interim task force or by the committee…