Jefferson City, MO – Attorney General Chris Koster recently thanked Governor Nixon for signing Senate Bill 1, which implements a temporary surcharge increase beginning in 2014 to address the shortfall in the Second Injury Fund.
“I appreciate Governor Nixon’s careful review of the Second Injury Fund bill, and his decision to sign the bill into law,” Koster said. “The insolvency of the Fund means that the state has been unable to pay more than 1,380 Missourians the awards to which they are entitled, totaling over $32 million. This law allows the state to begin the process of providing relief to these injured workers.”
Because the bill’s provisions do not take effect until January 1, 2014, the Second Injury Fund will not see increased revenue from the additional surcharge until the following April — the end of the first quarter of next year. This will require the state to continue to manage withheld awards for some period of time.
Koster also commended the bill’s sponsor, Senator Scott Rupp, and Representative Todd Richardson, who handled the legislation in the House, for their dedication throughout the 2013 legislative session to reach a bipartisan agreement on the bill.
Source: MO AG’s Office