Workers' Compensation Reform Heads to Vote of the People

The Oklahoma State Senate voted Tuesday to send Workers’ Compensation reform to Oklahoma polls next year.

House Joint Resolution 1041 by Senator Clark Jolley requires Senate confirmation of appointments to the Workers’ Compensation Court. Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee said Jolley’s legislation brings reform to a Workers’ Comp system in much need of overhaul.

“We have worked very hard to bring responsible reform and increased accountability to the Oklahoma’s Workers’ Compensation system and it is encouraging to see the beginning of this process today,” said Pro Tem Coffee.

Following the Governor’s veto of Workers’ Comp reform earlier this session, the State Legislature began the work to let Oklahomans decide whether or not appointments to the Workers’ Compensation Court should receive Senate confirmation. HJR 1041 will appear as a state question on the ballot of the 2010 General Election.

“The Senate confirmation process provides a system of checks and balances our forefathers believed was better,” said Jolley. “The State Senate’s role in this legislation is to advise and consent in a bipartisan fashion which removes politics from the judicial nominating process.”

Jolley added this legislation is not unique, as Oklahoma will join numerous other states in having systems with Senate confirmation.