Okla. Bill Requiring Senate to OK Work Comp Judges Moves Ahead

February 20, 2009

A resolution calling for a vote of the people to determine if gubernatorial Workers’ Compensation Court appointments in Oklahoma should require Senate confirmation passed a House Committee, the state House of Representatives reported.

The change called for in House Joint Resolution 1041 would add more accountability to the workers’ comp system, said Rep. Dan Sullivan, author of House Joint Resolution 1041.

“This is the only class of judges in Oklahoma who are not regularly reviewed by the people of Oklahoma, either through election or a retention ballot,” said Sullivan, R-Tulsa. “We believe the Workers’ Comp judges should at least be subjected to review by the elected members of the Senate, who represent the voters in their district.”

Currently, District Court judges are directly elected and Civil and Criminal Appeals Court and Supreme Court judges all appear on a retention ballot at the end of their appointed term. The Workers’ Compensation Court judges are the only ones who never appear on a ballot, Sullivan said.

Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives

Topics Legislation Workers' Compensation Oklahoma

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