Senate panel advances workers’ comp reappointments and hears funding warning

The Senate committee screened and advanced reappointments to the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission and discussed the agency’s near-term funding needs.

Chairman Thomas Scott Beck described his law-enforcement and legal background and explained that the commission aims to issue post-hearing decisions within 90 days. Beck reported three pending suits involving the commission, including litigation with West Point Homes that was reversed in the Court of Appeals and is being considered for Supreme Court review.

Beck told senators that the House had initially proposed $5 million for the commission but the amount was reduced to $3 million during conference; he said those appropriations and declines in fine revenue (he cited previous form-18 fines and uninsured-employer fines that have dropped from roughly $2 million ranges to about $500,000–$600,000 and below $1 million, respectively) mean the commission may return next year to request additional funding. Beck said the commission filed roughly 58,268 claims last year and that contested claims at the commission are comparable in total to neighboring states despite far fewer full-time employees.

The committee also screened Commissioner John Gabriel Cagiola and Commissioner Ayesha Kaii Taylor, each of whom summarized their legal and professional backgrounds and affirmed no conflicts; the committee reported each nomination favorably by voice vote and advanced them to the full Senate.

A motion to advance Chairman Beck’s reappointment was made and approved; the committee noted recusals where applicable.