Duly Noted

Governor Snyder creates Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission

Gov. Rick Snyder has continued his drive to improve government service and efficiency by creating the Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission.
Snyder issued Executive Order 2011-6, which transfers the authorities and responsibilities of the Workers’ Compensation Appellate Commission and the Employment Security Board of Review to the new Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission.

“With this reorganization, Michigan becomes a model of efficiency for appellate decisions in these two case areas,” Snyder said. “It provides greater flexibility in addressing fluctuating caseload levels and variations.”

The Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission will consider appeals of decisions issued by magistrates and administrative law examiners in the areas of unemployment and workers’ compensation.

By abolishing the Workers’ Compensation Appellate Commission and the Employment Security Board of Review, and replacing them with a single entity, the state can respond nimbly and appropriately to caseload shifts.

The commission will consist of nine members appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate. The Executive Order also requires that the new appellate commissioners be evaluated under defined standards to ensure that appeals are handled in a timely, knowledgeable and appropriate manner, and that the commissioners adhere to productivity and timeliness standards.