Lawmakers Propose Reining in West Virginia Insurance Agency

West Virginia gives its insurance commission a lot of leeway when it comes to regulating workers’ compensation coverage. But pending legislation could change that.

The House majority whip and judiciary chairwoman are among the sponsors of a bill that would require the commission to seek legislative approval for rule changes governing this line of insurance.

Lawmakers review rules for most agencies and programs. The commission was exempted when West Virginia privatized its state-run workers’ compensation system.

The commission and lawmakers have since clashed over proposed rules for the handling of benefits and claims.

Supporters of the current system say the proposal could chill the market, which opened to competition July 1.