1. A. The Governor shall appoint from among the judges of the Workers' Compensation Court a presiding judge of the Court who shall serve for a two-year term commencing with the initial appointment beginning January 1, 2013. The presiding judge serving on the effective date of this act shall serve the remainder of the term. If a presiding judge resigns the office during the term, the Governor shall appoint a new presiding judge to serve the remainder of the term.
2. B. The presiding judge shall preside at all meetings of the judges of the Court as may be necessary; perform such other supervisory duties as the needs of the Court may require; preside at all hearings before the Court en banc and at all conferences at which appeals and other matters are considered; make all procedural rulings for the Court except those to be made in the course of hearings before a single judge; assign or direct the assignment of cases to the several judges for hearing at places the presiding judge shall designate; direct and supervise the work of all employees of the Court; handle, oversee and be responsible for all administrative affairs of the Court, including but not limited to those of personnel, budgetary and financial management; and bear such other responsibilities and duties as may be necessary to operate the Court in an efficient manner. For the period during which the presiding judge is disqualified, disabled or absent, the presiding judge may designate another judge to act as presiding judge.

Added by Laws 2011, SB 878, c. 318, § 4.