Judicial Reform Praised in Committee

Senate Bill 609 by Senator Todd Lamb, passed out of the Judiciary Committee today.

The provisions in Senate Bill 609 reduce the number of judges on the Workers’ Compensation Court from ten to seven. Four of the judges will be permanently assigned to the Oklahoma City Workers' Compensation Court, and three permanently assigned to the Tulsa Workers' Compensation Court.

Senate Bill 609 also brings reform to the judicial nominating process by requiring Senate confirmation of appointments to the Workers Compensation Court and appellate courts.

“Senate Bill 609 will remove politics from the judicial nominating process by promoting a system that reflects more checks and balances just as our founding fathers intended,” said Lamb. “One of the goals of Senate Republicans this session was to bring reform to Oklahoma’s legal system. Through the support of Senate Bill 609 today, I am encouraged to see the beginning of that process and the accomplishment of that goal."

“Within the first year, the provisions in Senate Bill 609 will yield a cost savings to the taxpayers of over $400,000,” added Lamb.

Senate Bill 609 will now go before the full Senate for consideration.