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Senate committee advances workers' compensation technical updates
Summary
Senate Bill 1861 would authorize the Bureau of Workers' Compensation to use certain funds for a modernized computer system, clarify deposition procedures and update terminology. The committee recommended the bill for passage (vote recorded as 9 ayes, 2 noes).
Leader Johnson explained SB 1861 as an administration bill focused on technical updates to the workers' compensation system, including authorization to use funds from the subsequent injury and vocational recovery fund for a modernized computer system and clarifications for physician depositions. He said the bill does not expand benefits or impose new burdens on employers.
Senator Yarbrough raised concerns about diverting dollars from a fund originally intended for subsequent injury purposes: "I'm a little, there's something about diverting the funds from or diverting resources from this fund for that purpose, strikes me as not consistent with the with the original purpose of the act," he said. After brief discussion the committee voted and the chair announced the bill was recommended for passage to the calendar committee (the roll call was recorded as 9 ayes, 2 noes).
