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Worker's Compensation Advisory Council
Council on Worker’s Compensation
Meeting Minutes
Madison, Wisconsin
January 11, 2008
 

Members present:   Mr. Beiriger, Mr. Brand, Mr. Buchen, Mr. Furley, Ms. Huntley-Cooper, Mr. Kent, Mr. Newby, Mr. Olson, Mr. Schimke, Mr. Scott

Excused:   Ms. Bean, Mr. Redman, Mr. Shaver, Ms. Vetter

Staff present:   Mr. Conway, Mr. O’Malley, Ms. Knutson, and Mr. Krueger

1. Call to Order/Introductions: Ms. Huntley-Cooper convened the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) meeting via teleconference at approximately 2:00 p.m. in accordance with Wisconsin’s open meetings law. WCAC members, staff and members of the audience introduced themselves.
    
2. Minutes: The minutes of the November 29, 2007 meeting were approved without correction.
    
3. Draft Legislative Proposal Review: Mr. O’Malley reported there remained an issue on the effective date of the proposed change to Wis. Stat. §102.555 (12) on page 43, lines 7-12 of bill draft number 4. The department was informed that the WCAC had reached a tentative agreement to amend the bill draft to renumber §102.555 (12) to 102.555 (12)(a) and create 102.555 (12)(b) to add language concerning the effective date.
   
   The department’s draft language is as follows: “s. 102.555 (12) (b). This subsection applies to injuries occurring on and after (revisor inserts date). For injuries occurring before (revisor inserts date) this subsection does not apply for a period of 6 years following the effective date of this subsection.” The statutory change would be effective immediately for dates of injury on or after the effective date of the legislation. For dates of injury prior to the effective date, the statutory change would not take effect until 6 years after the effective date of the legislation.
   
   Mr. Beiriger moved to approve the department’s draft language with the understanding that any language change by the drafter would not change the intent of the WCAC’s agreement on the effective date. Mr. Newby seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Mr. Beiriger moved to approve the agreed bill as amended by the addition of s. 102.555 (12) (b). Mr. Newby seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
   
   Mr. O’Malley will forward the modified language to the bill drafter and will provide the WCAC members with the final bill draft when it is available. Mr. John Metcalf indicated the Joint Committee will likely hold a hearing on the WC bill and the Unemployment Insurance bill together at the end of the month.
   
   Ms. Huntley-Cooper reported Mr. Redman requested that the minutes reflect his intention to abstain from voting on today’s motions regarding the agreed bill. In addition, Ms. Patricia Grillot requested that Ms. Huntley-Cooper relay her disappointment that the bill would not be effective on January 1, 2008.
   
   The WCAC will not meet again until spring and will at that time address agreed bill process and planning issues. Ms. Huntley-Cooper thanked everyone for their hard work in finalizing the agreed bill.
    
4. Adjournment:   Discussion on all agenda items concluded and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:45 p.m.
   
   Future meeting date to be determined.