50-6-130 - Special joint committee. [Effective until June 30, 2012. See the Compiler's Notes.] - Tennessee Statutes

50-6-130. Special joint committee. [Effective until June 30, 2012. See the Compiler's Notes.]

(a)  There is created a special joint committee of the general assembly on workers' compensation issues composed of eight (8) members of the senate appointed by the speaker of the senate and eight (8) members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  This committee shall monitor the implementation of the Workers' Compensation Reform Act of 1992 and subsequent reforms, and shall study other programs, initiatives or topics related to the workers' compensation system the members deem appropriate.

(c)  The committee shall report to the governor and general assembly at least annually.

(d)  (1)  The departments of labor and workforce development and commerce and insurance shall provide the committee with information it may require.

     (2)  The comptroller of the treasury and the state treasurer shall provide staff support to the committee.

(e)  The special committee shall terminate on June 30, 2012.

(f)  (1)  Members of the committee shall be entitled to reimbursement for their expenses in attending meetings of the committee or any subcommittee of the committee at the same rates and in the same manner as when attending the general assembly.

     (2)  The committee shall elect from its membership a chair, a vice chair and other officers it deems necessary.

(g)  The committee shall promptly review and comment on any bill referred to the committee by a standing committee of the general assembly. The absence of comment by the committee shall not prohibit any standing committee from acting on a bill. The committee shall review legislation referred to it for comment with respect to its impact on the following:

     (1)  Accidents and workplace safety;

     (2)  Adequacy of benefits;

     (3)  Stability and adequacy of relevant insurance markets;

     (4)  The system of claim and dispute resolution; and

     (5)  Other matters the committee deems relevant.

[Acts 1996, ch. 944, § 2; 1997, ch. 533, § 1; 1999, ch. 520, § 4; 2001, ch. 192, § 1; 2007, ch. 378, § 2.]