Board opens strategic‑planning workshop; staff to consider feasibility study for risk‑pool proposal

The State Office of Risk Management board reconvened for a strategic planning workshop that emphasized preparing for market volatility, strengthening return‑to‑work programs, and approaching cyber and AI risks with training and legal review.

Chairman Sherman Ladner and other board members raised property placement and alternative risk‑transfer strategies as top priorities. Board members referenced a late‑filed bill—described in the discussion as "House Bill 5317"—that would have authorized a risk‑management self‑insurance retention pool; staff suggested pursuing a feasibility study rather than immediate statutory change. “I would prefer to be conservative in our ask to the legislature. Asking for a feasibility study on the risk pool would be my suggested way to go,” Executive Director Sarah Hayes said.

Board members also stressed restoring agency reputation with client agencies, improving return‑to‑work consistency across state entities, and benchmarking against peer agencies. Staff committed to deliver an advance copy of the draft strategic plan about two weeks before the June 1 deadline and to highlight substantive changes from the prior plan for board review.

What’s next: Staff will prepare an advanced draft of the strategic plan for the board’s virtual review and will scope a feasibility study and any data requirements should the board opt to pursue a legislative request.