Posted: Thursday, January 14, 2010 2:49 pm

Senate State and Local Government Committee Chairman Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) won unanimous approval of legislation in the Senate Finance Committee Thursday calling for immediate suspension of a new law to require sole proprietors and partners engaged in the construction industry carry workers’ compensation coverage on themselves.

Once small business owners began voicing their concerns, lawmakers quickly joined Clarksville Democrat Sen. Tim Barnes in trying to undo the additional requirements. Those lawmakers included Ketron, who turned around and sponsored the bill that Barnes helped draft and co-sponsored.

“The action taken by the Committee to suspend the workers’ compensation law today, moves us closer to having an opportunity to address this matter in a way that does not harm our small business owners,” said Senator Ketron.

“Unfortunately, the law which was passed in 2008, met with a perfect storm of the declining economy to result in these unintended effects. Recommendations for alternatives have been collected from consumers and affected industries and are being examined. Those recommendations will be studied and taken up so we can address the problem without harming our small business owners.”

A Joint Workers Compensation Committee heard testimony on the unintended effects of the new law in Nashville last October. Legislators asked Governor Phil Bredesen to broaden the call of the Special Session on Education so suspension of the worker’s compensation law could be addressed immediately.

As amended by the Committee, the new law would be suspended until March 28, 2011. The bill could be up for final consideration on the Senate floor as soon as Friday.

“In the meantime, our legislature will discuss alternative ways to address gaps in coverage for workers in companies of all sizes in the various construction fields,” added Ketron. “I look forward to finding a solution that will work for all concerned and protect those who might be harmed on the job.”