The House Public Insurance and Pensions Committee this week approved House Bill 81, the budget bill to fund the operations of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for the upcoming biennium. Additional procedural votes will follow in the coming weeks.

BWC Administrator and CEO Stephanie McCloud, in testimony, defended a proposal to expand coverage for prosthetic devices needed as a result of workplace injury. The agency intends to utilize their “surplus fund” to defray costs for prosthetics, even if the injured worker has not received a scheduled loss award.

Other policy changes included in the budget alter laws governing subrogation and PEOs. Interested members should plan to attend the OMA Safety & Workers Comp Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 2. 3/13/2025