CREATION OF NEW MICHIGAN COMPENSATION APPELLATE COMMISSION By Executive Order 2011-6, Governor Rick Snyder created the Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission (MCAC). All authority, duties, functions and responsibilities of the Workers’ Compensation Appellate Commission (WCAC) and the Michigan Employment Security Board of Review have been transferred to the MCAC. The MCAC will be under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Michigan Administrative Hearing System, Michael Zimmer. The MCAC will consist of 9 commissioners, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The governor shall designate a member of the commission as its chairperson. Matters to be heard by the MCAC will be assigned to 3 member panels. Upon request of 6 members of the Commission, the matter may be brought before the entire MCAC for a full review. Additionally, matters of first impression must be reviewed and decided by the entire Commission. Commissioners are appointed for 4 year terms. Of the 9 members initially appointed, 3 members are appointed for a term expiring July 31, 2013, 3 members are appointed for a term expiring July 31, 2014, and 3 members are appointed for a term expiring July 31, 2015. When deciding workers’ disability compensation appeals, the Commission is bound by the statutory provisions and administrative rules applying to the hearing of appeals by the former Workers’ Compensation Appellate Commission. It is anticipated that the governor will appoint commissioners who have only workers’ disability compensation experience and commissioners who have only unemployment insurance experience. Therefore, it is possible that a 3 member panel hearing a workers’ disability compensation matter may consist of 3 commissioners without a working knowledge of workers’ compensation law. Hopefully, however, all panels formulated to hear workers’ compensation appeals will have at least one member knowledgeable in workers’ compensation law. Leonard M. Hickey and John B. Combs Hickey Combs PLC 3358 Eagle Run Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525-7055 Direct Dial: 616/364-2555 Facsimile: 616/364-2551 Cellular: 616/550-1661 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: hickeycombs.com NOTICE: This is a privileged and confidential communication. If you have received it in error or are not the intended recipient, please delete it and destroy all copies. Thank you. 05-18-11