MLAC, DCBS Eyeing Increase in Fund Balance

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services is drafting legislation that would double the minimum statutory balance for the Workers' Benefit Fund, which pays for inflation adjustments to indemnity benefits and for claims left behind by defunct self-insured groups. The department hopes to restore the statutory minimum to cover 12 months of expenses, instead of the current six months' minimum balance. A 12-month minimum balance had been the standard before 2014, when state lawmakers lowered it to six months to reduce the likelihood of the department havi...