House and Senate Pass Workers' Comp 'Opt-Out' Bills

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefLegislation that would make Oklahoma only the second state in the nation to allow employers to opt out of the workers' compensation system has cleared both houses of the state Legislature, but the final language hasn't been determined as lawmakers work out differences in two versions.Both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved the “Oklahoma Employee Injury Benefit Act” but in separate measures. Senate Bill 1378 by Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, passed Wednesday by a 27 to 17 margin in the Senate and was...