Committee Passes Bill to Strip State's Right to Self-Insure

The Colorado Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bill that would strip the right of the state to self-insure its workers’ compensation risks. Senate Bill 149, by Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, would require the state Department of Personnel and Administration to annually solicit three quotes for work comp coverage from Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered comp carrier, and three other insurers. The department would be required to present the quotes to the General Assembly for approval, under terms of the bill. SB 149 would additionally prohibit the state from suggesting or req...