Confirmation of Workers’ Comp Judges Passes House

A change in the Workers’ Compensation Court judicial appointments will bring more accountability to the system if legislation approved by the House today becomes law.

House Joint Resolution 1041 would require that gubernatorial appointments to the Workers’ Compensation Court be approved by Senate confirmation.

The process would mimic the Senate confirmation required of presidential judicial appointments at the federal level.

“Currently, workers’ compensation judges have no accountability to the people they are supposed to serve,” said Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa and author of the bill. “Do we want to continue the politics of the status quo or the politics of making Oklahoma a better place to live for our citizens?”

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.

“It is crucial these judges know they are accountable to the people of Oklahoma, and this resolution would ensure there are checks and balances in the system to ensure it is fair for all Oklahoma workers,” said House Speaker Chris Benge. R-Tulsa.

The resolution passed the House today with a vote of 62-36 and will now be considered in the state Senate. If approved there, the change would go to a vote of the people.