2. News Room

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Worker's Compensation Advisory Council Hosting Public Hearing Dec. 15

MADISON – The Worker's Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) is seeking suggestions from stakeholders and the public for its next slate of recommended legislative changes.

The Council will host a hybrid public hearing from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, using WebEx web conferencing technology and in person at 201 E. Washington Ave, Madison, Wisconsin. In addition, written comments may be submitted through Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

"Since 1911, a citizen advisory council has played an instrumental part in amending the Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Act, which has served as a national model for state worker's compensation programs, and the Council's work is further supported through additional feedback from the public," DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said. "We welcome public engagement at the hearing and through the public comment period. We also greatly appreciate the collaborative work of the Council, which includes equal numbers of employee and employer members who work together for the benefit of our state's worker's compensation program."

Statutory language establishing the Council, its role in advising the department, and its work to submit amendments to the Legislature took effect in 1968. The Council's most recent agreed-upon bill cleared both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature, and Gov. Tony Evers signed it on April 8, 2022.

Submit Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to Steve Peters, Chair, Worker's Compensation Advisory Council, 201 E Washington Avenue, Room C100, Madison, WI 53703, or via email to: WCAdvisoryCouncil@dwd.wisconsin.gov. The submission deadline for written comments is Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

Attend the Public Hearing

• TIME: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• DATE: Dec. 15, 2022
• LOCATION: 201 E. Washington Ave, Madison
• ATTEND VIRTUALLY: Register via WebEx. You must register in advance to attend virtually.

About the Worker's Compensation Advisory Council

A citizen advisory council has existed since 1911 to assist DWD and the Legislature in amending the Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Act. The Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) was created by Chapter 327 Laws of 1967 (effective February 18, 1968) to advise the Department and Legislature on policy matters concerning the development and administration of the worker's compensation law. The Council strives to maintain the overall stability of the workers compensation system without regard to partisan changes in the legislative or executive branches of government.

One of the main functions of the Council is to recommend worker's compensation law changes to the Legislature through the "agreed bill" process. The process begins with the Council holding public hearings throughout the state where testimony is taken from all interested sources. Council members agree to support the Council's proposed changes in the Legislature and not to individually seek any changes to those proposals. Likewise, the Council members traditionally agree not to support any worker's compensation law changes which have not gone through the "agreed bill" process. By tradition the Council only recommends statutory changes that pass without dissent. When the Legislature approves the Council's recommendations and forwards the bill to the Governor, the bill traditionally is signed into law.

The statutes prescribe the Council's membership as follows:

• Five employee representatives (voting members).
• Five employer representatives (voting members).
• Three insurer representatives (non-voting members).
• One department representative (traditionally serves as chair).

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ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.