OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — By a party-line vote, an Oklahoma House committee on Tuesday approved the latest version of a plan to overhaul the state's workers' compensation system after more than an hour of questioning and sometimes angry debate.
The House Judiciary Committee cleared the bill 11-4 Tuesday afternoon after two weeks of delay as Republicans hashed out the plan's details. All four Democrat members present voted against it. It now heads to the House after already passing the Senate.
The lengthy proposal would transition the state's system from a court to an administrative system overseen by three commissioners appointed by the governor. It sets rules for disability payments and other compensation and allows companies to opt out of its system if they follow certain rules.
Supporters say the change would save money for the state and businesses by cutting down the process times for claims, and Republicans have made the overhaul one of their top priorities this year.
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