MS HB789

Returns the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission to a special fund agency, with all funds received deposited into a special fund in the State Treasury rather than the State General Fund, effective July 1, 2018.

Establishes that the commission's Administrative Expense Fund shall be used to pay all expenditures necessary for administration of the workers' compensation chapter, with funds assessed against carriers and self-insurers deposited into this fund.

Authorizes the State Treasurer to hold commission funds in trust and invest portions not needed for current requirements, with all interest earned credited back to the fund.

Removes the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission from the list of state agencies whose expenses are defrayed by general fund appropriation, allowing it to operate as a self-funded special fund agency instead.

Clarifies that civil penalties collected by the commission shall be paid into the Administrative Expense Fund and that the Second Injury Trust Fund shall not be used for agency support.