The bill amends the Administrative Workers Compensation Act by updating definitions in Section 2 of 85A O.S. 2021, particularly introducing the term "per each Farm Service Agency number or account." This addition clarifies the exemption criteria for agricultural, ranching, or horticultural workers, specifying that these individuals are exempt from workers' compensation coverage if their employer's gross annual payroll is less than $150,000. The bill also refines existing definitions to enhance clarity and ensure alignment with current practices, establishing an effective date for these changes.
In addition to the new term, the bill introduces several important definitions related to workers' compensation, such as "incapacity," "major cause," and various types of disabilities. It stipulates that a finding of "major cause" must be established by a preponderance of the evidence and clarifies that the workplace's role as a non-major cause does not impact the exclusive remedy provisions of the Act. The bill also defines terms like "preexisting condition" and "private self-insurer," and emphasizes the use of objective findings in determining permanent disability. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for assessing claims and the responsibilities of employers and employees, with the new definitions set to take effect on November 1, 2026.
Statutes affected: Introduced: