North Dakota Workers’ Comp Bureau Wants Budget Autonomy

The North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau’s request to set its own budget without legislative oversight has critics saying the move would diminish public accountability.

Supporters contend that removing the budget from the Legislature’s spending review would allow its board of directors to react more quickly to industry changes. And, they continue, regular reports would be sufficient in keeping lawmakers informed about bureau goings-on.

“Basically we would be telling you what we have done, rather than asking you what we can do,” one board member, Richard Johnsen Jr., told the House Appropriations Committee on Friday according to an Associated Press report.

The bureau is exempt from state personnel rules and pay guidelines already. The bureau provides no-fault insurance for North Dakota employees who are hurt at work. Businesses are required to buy coverage, which is meant to assure workers are reimbursed for lost wages, medical treatment and rehabilitation.

In exchange for the insurance, workers are barred from suing their employers over injuries on the job.

Topics Workers' Compensation