39-71-503. Administration of fund -- appropriation. (1) The department shall administer the fund and shall pay from it all expenses of administering the fund, all loss adjustment expenses for claims of injured employees of uninsured employers, and all proper benefits to injured employees of underinsured and uninsured employers.
     (2) Surpluses and reserves may not be kept for the fund. The department shall make payments that it considers appropriate as funds become available from time to time. The payment of weekly disability benefits takes precedence over the payment of medical benefits. Lump-sum payments of future projected benefits, including impairment awards, may not be made from the fund. The board of investments shall invest the money of the fund, and the investment income must be deposited in the fund.
     (3) The amounts necessary for the payment of benefits from this fund are statutorily appropriated, as provided in 17-7-502, from this fund.

     History: En. 92-212 by Sec. 4, Ch. 550, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 92-212(part); amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 464, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 613, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 555, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 516, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 310, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 35, Ch. 422, L. 1997.