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HB 129: WORKERS’ COMPENSATION - INTERIM BENEFITS - 1998 Budget/Special Session
Sponsor: Rep. Kenilynn Zanetti (D-H16, Rock Springs)
HB 129 provided for payment of limited workers’ compensation benefits while a case is under appeal or until a rating is established.
When an injured worker has recovered to the point where permanent impairment can be ascertained, a physician determines the percentage of impairment by examining and rating the employee according to guidelines published by the American Medical Association.
In some cases, the Workers’ Compensation Division will stop temporary disability benefits before the injured worker can return to work. In those cases, injured workers need funds to pay their living expenses while waiting for a rating, or for a hearing if they disagree with the rating.
HB 129 also provided that in a case where an employer has objected three times or more on the same injury, an injured worker may request an interim benefit, to be calculated at the temporary total disability rate and not to exceed three months. The worker would have to repay the amount received if he/she does not win the appeal.
In both instances, the interim benefit would be paid only once on the same injury or case.
Proponents argued that some workers are experiencing extreme financial hardship while waiting for ratings or cases under appeal, and that even if the worker ultimately prevails, he/she may have already lost possessions, a car, or even a house because of missed payments.
Opponents argued that the proposal would mean increased costs to the workers’ compensation fund.
HB 129 fell just short of the two-thirds vote required to introduce a non-budget item in a budget session, 36-23 (1 excused).
The vote listed below is the House vote to introduce HB 129.
A YES vote means the representative wished to consider providing interim benefits under workers’ compensation.
A NO vote means the representative did not wish to consider providing interim benefits under workers’ compensation.
|
BIG HORN BASIN LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H24 |
Rep. Peg Shreve (R) |
No |
|
H50 |
Rep. Pat Childers (R) |
No |
|
H25 |
Rep. Denny Smith (R) |
No |
|
H26 |
Rep. Chas. Hessenthaler (R) |
No |
|
H27 |
Rep. Ray Harrison (R) |
No |
|
H28 |
Rep. Mike Baker (R) |
No |
|
CASPER-AREA LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H35 |
Rep. Dorothy Perkins (R) |
Yes |
|
H36 |
Rep. Bruce Hinchey (R) |
No |
|
H56 |
Rep. Pat Nagel (R) |
Yes |
|
H57 |
Rep. Bob Tanner (R) |
No |
|
H37 |
Rep. Rick Tempest (R) |
No |
|
H59 |
Rep. Nancy Berry (D) |
Yes |
|
H38 |
Rep. Carolyn Paseneaux (R) |
No |
|
H58 |
Rep. Ann Robinson (D) |
Yes |
|
CHEYENNE-AREA LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H7 |
Rep. Tony Ross (R) |
Yes |
|
H41 |
Rep. Mac McGraw (D) |
Yes |
|
H8 |
Rep. Larry Meuli (R) |
Yes |
|
H42 |
Rep. John Hanes (R) |
No |
|
H9 |
Rep. Wayne Johnson (R) |
Yes |
|
H10 |
Rep. Pete Anderson (R) |
No |
|
H11 |
Rep. Wayne Reese (D) |
Yes |
|
H43 |
Rep. Kathryn Sessions (D) |
Yes |
|
H12 |
Rep. Leo Garcia (D) |
Yes |
|
H44 |
Rep. Floyd Esquibel (D) |
Yes |
|
GILLETTE-AREA LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H31 |
Rep. John Hines (R) |
Yes |
|
H52 |
Rep. George McMurtrey (R) |
No |
|
H32 |
Rep. Jeff Wasserburger (R) |
Yes |
|
H53 |
Rep. Nick Deegan (D) |
Yes |
|
LANDER/RIVERTON-AREA LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H33 |
Rep. Harry Tipton (R) |
Yes |
|
H54 |
Rep. Cale Case (R) |
Yes |
|
H34 |
Rep. Frank Philp (R) |
Yes |
|
H55 |
Rep. Eli Bebout (R) |
No |
|
NORTHEAST/EAST CENTRAL WYOMING LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H1 |
Rep. Marlene Simons (R) |
No |
|
H2 |
Rep. Ross Diercks (D) |
Yes |
|
H5 |
Rep. Jim Hageman (R) |
No |
|
H6 |
Rep. Jim Anderson (R) |
No |
|
H3 |
Rep. Bill Stafford (R) |
No |
|
H4 |
Rep. Roger Huckfeldt (R) |
Yes |
|
SHERIDAN-AREA LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H29 |
Rep. Rick Badgett (R) |
Yes |
|
H51 |
Rep. Bruce Burns (R) |
Yes |
|
H30 |
Rep. Bill Bensel (D) |
Yes |
|
H40 |
Rep. Douglas Osborn (R) |
Yes |
|
SOUTH CENTRAL WYOMING LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H13 |
Rep. Mike Massie (D) |
Yes |
|
H45 |
Rep. Wende Barker (D) |
Yes |
|
H14 |
Rep. Phil Nicholas (R) |
No |
|
H46 |
Rep. Tom Rardin (R) |
Yes |
|
H15 |
Rep. Tony Rose (R) |
Yes |
|
H47 |
Rep. Teense Willford (R) |
No |
|
SOUTHWEST WYOMING LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H16 |
Rep. Kenilynn Zanetti (D) |
Yes |
|
H48 |
Rep. Jack Steinbrech (R) |
Yes |
|
H17 |
Rep. Fred Parady (R) |
No |
|
H60 |
Rep. Louise Ryckman (D) |
Yes |
|
H18 |
Rep. John Eyre (R) |
No |
|
H39 |
Rep. Chris Boswell (D) |
Yes |
|
H19 |
Rep. Peggy Rounds (D) |
Yes |
|
H49 |
Rep. Ken Decaria (D) |
Yes |
|
WEST CENTRAL WYOMING LEGISLATORS |
Vote |
|
|
H20 |
Rep. Louie Tomassi (R) |
Excused |
|
H21 |
Rep. Randall Luthi (R) |
Yes |
|
H22 |
Rep. Budd Betts (R) |
No |
|
H23 |
Rep. Clarene Law (R) |
Yes |
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