Worker advocates and lawmakers suggested changes to North Dakota's workers compensation benefits as a legislative committee, prompted by recent turmoil at the agency, began a review of how it does business.

Daniel Finneman of Dickinson said workers often are not notified they may be eligible for an injury benefit, called permanent partial impairment, even though state law requires notice.

"What good is the law if it's not followed through?" Finneman said.

Sebald Vetter of Bismarck who represents an advocacy group for injured workers, and Rep. Merle Boucher, D-Rolette, the House minority leader, said a $10 weekly dependents' benefit, paid to injured workers who have children, should be increased.

The benefit has gone unchanged since 1987. This year, lawmakers turned down a proposal to raise it to $15.

"How can you feed your kids at $10 a week nowadays?" Vetter said to lawmakers. "You tell me that."

Dave MacIver, president of the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, said WSI's operations could be improved, but he argued the agency has run well since 1997, when an appointed board of directors was put in charge of its oversight. For example, the percentage of medical bills paid within 30 days has risen from 39 percent to 95 percent in the past 10 years, MacIver said.

The interim Industry, Business and Labor Committee began its scrutiny of Workforce Safety and Insurance on Thursday, during the first of what will be a series of meetings.