Houses Passes Comp Judges Resolution

Legislation requiring Senate confirmation of Worker’s Compensation Court judges to bring added accountability to the system passed the House today and, if the Senate approves, should soon go to a vote of the people.

House Joint Resolution 1041 would require that gubernatorial appointments to the Workers’ Compensation Court be approved by Senate confirmation.

If passed by the Senate this week, the constitutional change would be placed on the ballot for voter consideration. The resolution was prompted by Governor Henry’s veto of similar legislation, Senate Bill 609, earlier this session.

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GOP Leaders React To Henry's Court Veto

House Speaker Chris Benge and Rep. Dan Sullivan, both Tulsa Republicans, commented this afternoon on Governor Henry’s veto of SB 609 and the immediate Senate passage of HJR 1041, which would send the requirement of Senate confirmation of any future appointees of the state Worker’s Compensation Court to a vote of the people.

“Requiring Senate confirmation of Worker’s Compensation Court judges is a reasonable reform that adds accountability to the current system,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. “We are disappointed in Gov. Henry’s veto, but are pleased that with passage of HJR 1041 the people of Oklahoma will likely be able to decide this issue themselves.”

“Worker’s Compensation judges are the only judges in the entire state who never appear on any ballot whatsoever,” said Sullivan, R-Tulsa. “Today, Gov. Henry sided with the status quo instead of a commonsense reform that would help ensure injured workers across the state are given their day in court in front of judges that are approved by their representative government. We will not let one person defeat this reform. We believe the people deserve to have their say.”

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Henry Receives Political Donor Measure

Governor Henry has on his desk a bill that would ban political contributions from legal judgments or settlements.

The bill was filed following a series of articles in The Oklahoman about contributions made by cliernts to political committees operated by attorneys.

The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee said the bill was filled following the reports that money from workers' compensation awards was funneled into the political process by plaintiff attorneys without the knowledge of injured workers.

House Bill 1601 passed on a 26-22 party-line vote.

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Change In Comp Judge Process Approved

A bill that would require Senate confirmation of workers' compensation judges has been approved by a House committee. The bill has been approved the Senate and it now goes to the full House for consideration.

Judges now are appointed by the governor from a list provided by the Judicial Nominating Commission. The bill would require appointments to be approved by the Senate, similar to presidential judicial appointments at the federal level.

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