MN HF1362

Only compensation judges, not administrative law judges, shall conduct workers' compensation proceedings under chapter 176 unless proceedings are required under chapter 14.

Compensation judges must be assigned to conduct settlement conferences and hearings in workers' compensation cases, with different judges required for de novo hearings when the same judge presided over the administrative conference.

Increases the limit for residential alterations or remodeling benefits from $60,000 to $75,000 per personal injury, and allows certified building officials to approve projects in lieu of licensed architects under specified conditions.

Requires the commissioner to replace the "average wholesale price" standard with "wholesale acquisition cost" standard in medical fee rules while maintaining equivalent maximum fees.

Appropriates $600,000 from the special compensation fund for implementing a case management and electronic filing system at the Office of Administrative Hearings, with labor and business representatives included in the review panel.