Okla. Stat. tit. 85, § 303 – Repealed

A. There is hereby created the Workers' Compensation Court which shall consist of ten (10) judges, notwithstanding any reduction in the number of judges by operation of law before the effective date of this act. Each judge of the Court shall be appointed to a designated numbered position on the Court. The positions shall be numbered one through ten, no more than seven of which shall be permanently assigned to the Oklahoma City location of the Workers' Compensation Court and no less than three of which shall be permanently assigned to the Tulsa location of the Workers' Compensation Court. The initial terms of the judges by position number shall expire on the following dates:
Position 1 shall expire 7-1-14.
Position 2 shall expire 7-1-14.
Position 3 shall expire 7-1-14.
Position 4 shall expire 7-1-12.
Position 5 shall expire 7-1-12.
Position 6 shall expire 7-1-16.
Position 7 shall expire 7-1-16.
Position 8 shall expire 7-1-12.
Position 9 shall expire 7-1-12.
Position 10 shall expire 7-1-14.
Provided, judges who are serving unexpired terms on the Workers' Compensation Court on the effective date of this act shall serve on the Court created by this section until their respective terms expire as provided in this act. Thereafter, each position shall be filled by a judge appointed to serve an eight-year term. Judges serving unexpired terms on the effective date of this act shall be eligible upon expiration of such terms for appointment to one term of eight (8) years pursuant to this section. After a judge serves an eight-year term, such judge shall be eligible to reapply for an additional term.
When a vacancy on the Court occurs or is certain to occur, or for initial appointments to the Court, the Judicial Nominating Commission shall choose and submit to the Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court the names of three persons for each appointment, each of whom has previously notified the Commission in writing that he or she will serve as a judge if appointed. The Governor shall appoint one of the nominees to fill the vacancy with the advice and consent of the Senate. If the Governor fails to do so within sixty (60) days, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall appoint one of the nominees with the advice and consent of the Senate, the appointment to be certified to the Secretary of State. Appointments by the Governor to fill a position for a term commencing July 1 shall be made by April 15. If the April 15 deadline cannot be met, the Governor shall notify the President Pro Tempore of the Senate of the date when the appointment is expected to be made. If the Senate fails to confirm within ninety (90) days, the Governor may select from the two remaining nominees or request three additional nominees from the Judicial Nominating Commission.
B. A judge of the Court shall have been licensed to practice law in this state for a period of not less than five (5) years and shall have not less than five (5) years of workers' compensation experience prior to appointment. Each judge, before entering upon the duties of office, shall take and subscribe to an oath of office and file the same with the Secretary of State. Each judge shall continue to serve until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified. A judge may be removed for cause by the Court on the Judiciary prior to the expiration of his or her term.
C. Each judge shall receive a salary equal to that paid to a district judge of this state, and shall devote full time to his or her duties and shall not engage in the private practice of law during the term in office.
D. The Court shall have the authority to adopt reasonable rules within its respective areas of responsibility including the rules of procedure for the Court en banc, after notice and public hearing, for effecting the purposes of the Workers' Compensation Code. All of the judges of the Court shall be present at all meetings wherein rules are adopted or amended. All rules, upon adoption, shall be submitted to the Supreme Court, which shall either approve or disapprove them within thirty (30) days. All rules, upon approval by the Supreme Court, shall be published and be made available to the public and, if not inconsistent with the law, shall be binding in the administration of the Workers' Compensation Code.
E. The Court is hereby designated and confirmed as a court of record, with respect to any matter within the limits of its jurisdiction, and within such limits the judges thereof shall possess the powers and prerogatives of the judges of the other courts of record of this state, including the power to punish for contempt those persons who disobey a subpoena, or refuse to be sworn or to answer as a witness, when lawfully ordered to do so.
F. The principal office of the Court shall be situated in the City of Oklahoma City in quarters assigned by the Department of Central Services. The Court may hold hearings in any city of this state. The Tulsa location of the Workers' Compensation Court shall not be closed without the approval of the Legislature.
G. All county commissioners and presiding district judges of this state shall make quarters available for the conducting of hearings by a judge of the Court upon request by the Court.
H. The judges of the Court shall determine the qualifications necessary for the position of Administrator. The qualifications shall be submitted to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for approval, disapproval or modification.
I. Judges of the Workers' Compensation Court may punish for direct contempt pursuant to Sections 565, 565.1 and 566 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
J. The Court shall be vested with jurisdiction over all claims filed pursuant to the Workers' Compensation Code. All claims so filed shall be heard by the judge sitting without a jury. The Court shall have full power and authority to determine all questions in relation to payment of claims for compensation under the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Code. The Court, upon application of either party, shall order a hearing. Upon a hearing, either party may present evidence and be represented by counsel. Except as provided in Section 40 of this act, the decision of the Court shall be final as to all questions of fact and law. The decision of the Court shall be issued within sixty (60) days following the submission of the case by the parties. The power and jurisdiction of the Court over each case shall be continuing and it may, from time to time, make such modifications or changes with respect to former findings or orders relating thereto if, in its opinion, it may be justified.

Added by Laws 2011, SB 878, c. 318, § 3.