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Workers' Compensation Commission holds steady on requests but flags vacancies, filing fees and IT carryforward
Summary
Chairman Scott Beck said the Workers' Compensation Commission is not seeking additional funds this year but noted vacancies, diminishing earned funds, a returned $4 million to the general fund last year and potential needs next year; he agreed to provide committee members comparative filing‑fee data from other states.
Scott Beck, chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission, told the subcommittee the commission is not requesting an additional appropriation this year but cautioned that vacancies and other costs may create a need next year.
Beck noted the commission returned $4,000,000 to the general fund last year after implementing cost savings and that the General Assembly provided a $3,000,000 general‑fund allocation during the prior session after the commission sought $5,000,000. "We did not get that. We got $3,000,000 instead, and... we have made that work," Beck said.
He described the commission's workload and finances: the workers' compensation system administered has roughly $1.1 billion in paid benefits and medical costs, the commission is authorized for 60 FTEs and had about 51 filled positions at the time of the hearing, and earned funds from fines and fees have declined.
Beck agreed to provide the committee with a comparison of filing fees that other states charge (the commission charges $50 for a hearing request) and warned that vacancy‑related costs, lease renewals and hiring needs may prompt a supplemental request next year.
On IT funding, Beck said there is carryforward money in IT funds (a little over $2,000,000 after returning $4,000,000) that the commission needs to carry forward and that the commission has a plan to use those funds through 2028–2029.
The subcommittee closed the hearing without taking votes and scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, subject to weather conditions.
