Bills Address Claims Court, First Responder Benefits, Firefighter Risk Pool

Oklahoma lawmakers filed bills ahead of the 2024 legislative session that would establish a venue for legacy claims within the Court of Civil Appeals and transfer the volunteer firefighter risk pool to the state. A third measure pre-filed for the session that starts Feb. 5 would allow first responders to collect benefits for mental injuries that aren’t accompanied by a physical injury. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, introduced Senate Bill 1456, which would direct the Court of Civil Appeals to establish a Court of Existing Claims that would have jurisdiction over ...