Tenn. Senate Republicans Reportedly Ready for Workers’ Comp Reform

Tennessee Senate Republicans reportedly stand ready to move the Volunteer State forward with a comprehensive workers’ compensation reform bill sponsored by Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville). The bill, Senate Bill 3169, can reportedly carry the worker’s compensation reform legislative package needed this year.

Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), a co-sponsor of the bill, stated, “We in the Senate Republican Caucus have been waiting patiently for a bill to come out of the Ad Hoc Workers’ Comp Committee. We are ready to move forward with Senator Norris’s bill that we believe offers comprehensive workers’ compensation reform. Time is growing short and we need to start moving forward on this vital issue.”

The governor has reportedly stated repeatedly that he wants to see a workers’ comp reform bill on his desk so he can sign it this year to help keep jobs in Tennessee and to bring in new jobs.

Senator Norris’s bill would, among other reforms, reportedly address permanent partial disability multipliers, reduce litigation by mandatory benefits review, and strengthen the presumption in favor of treating physicians.

Already signed on as co-sponsors of the bill are Senate Republican Leader Ben Atchley (R-Knoxville), and Senators Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), David Fowler (R-Signal Mountain), Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville), Jim Bryson (R-Franklin), Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), Steve Southerland (R-Hamblen County), and Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City).