Oklahoma Panel Delays Vote on Workers’ Comp Reform

A scheduled Oklahoma House committee vote on a Republican-backed plan to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation system has been delayed to allow legislators more time to review the bill.

The 260-page proposal would scrap Oklahoma’s judicial compensation system and replace it with an administrative system. Senate and House Republicans say it will save money for businesses and state agencies and have made it one of their priorities this session.

Judiciary Committee chairwoman Rep. Leslie Osborn said Tuesday she opted to give committee members and the Senate sponsors more time because the latest version of SB 1062 was completed Monday night.

Democrats have said some parts of the bill are unconstitutional. Three amendments to the proposal were filed Monday, including one describing how some businesses can be exempt from the system.