HB 537 — WORKERS COMPENSATION: Repeals the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council

HLSENROLLED 26RS-1267 REENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.

537 BY REPRESENTATIVE CREWS WORKERSAN COMPENSATION:ACT To repeal R.S.

Repeals the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council AN ACT To repeal R.S.

DIGESTSPEAKER ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislativeOF Services.THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

ItPage constitutes1 nopart of the1 legislativeCODING: instrument.

TheWordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored keyword,are one-liner,additions. abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 537 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Crews Abstract:

Repeals the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council.

Present law provides that the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council is created within La.

Works.

Present law provides that the council shall consist of 17 members who are domiciled in La.

and appointed by the governor to serve at the pleasure of the governor.

Presentlawprovidesthattotheextentpracticable,everyorganizationorentitythatprovides nominations to the council shall strive for diversity in its appointments on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, and geography.

Present law further provides that each appointment by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

Present law provides that the council shall be comprised of the following:

(1) Two council members who are representatives of labor and who are presently or formerly affiliated with labor and residing and working in La.

(2) Two council members who are representatives of business interests in La.

(3) One member who is a representative of self-insured industries in La.

Page 1 of 2 HLS 26RS-1267 REENGROSSED HB NO.

537 (4) One member who is an attorney licensed to practice law in La.

and who has previously represented employers in workers' compensation claims.

(5) One member who is an attorney licensed to practice law in La.

and who has previously represented claimants in workers' compensation claims.

(6) One member who is a representative from the La.

State Medical Society.

(7) Five members from the general public, one from each Public Service Commission district.

(8) One member who is a representative from the La.

Orthopaedic Association.

(9) One member who is the assistant secretary of the office of workers' compensation administration.

(10) One member who is a representative of the Chiropractic Association of La.

(11) One member who is a representative of the La.

Psychological Association.

Presentlawprovidesthatthechairpersonofthecouncilshallbetheassistantsecretaryofthe office of workers' compensation administration.

Present law provides that any change in membership to achieve the goal of geographic representation and diversity based on sex, race, and ethnicity shall occur by attrition.

Present law provides that the council shall monitor and, at least 30 days prior to the conveningoftheregular session of the legislature, report to thegovernorandthelegislature on the implementation and administration of present law and make specific recommendations.

Present law provides that the council shall review and make recommendations to the governor, through La.

Works, on any proposed rules affecting the administration or resolution of claims provided for in present law.

Present law provides that no member of the council acting within the scope of his official functions and duties shall be held individuallyliable for a policyrecommendation or policy action by the council, unless damage or injury is caused by the member's willful or wanton misconduct.

Presentlawprovidesthatapersonimmunefromliabilityundertheprovisionsofpresentlaw shall not be subject to civil or administrativesubpoenaforhis recommendationsorexercise of judgment as a member of the council, including a subpoena seeking his oral or written testimony at trial, discovery, or other proceeding, and a subpoena duces tecum seeking documents, inspections, things or information in electronic or anyother form.