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Bismarck, N.D. (AP) North Dakota's House has approved limiting the governor's power to raise state workers compensation rates.

The rates are set every year. North Dakota's Workforce Safety and Insurance agency uses an independent actuary to recommend what the rates should be.

The legislation would bar the governor from raising or lowering the actuary's insurance rate recommendation by more than 5 percent.

Representatives voted 62-32 Tuesday to approve the proposal. It now goes to the North Dakota Senate.

Bismarck Rep. George Keiser says the bill will help take politics out of rate-setting decisions.

Fargo Rep. Jasper Schneider says the bill is an overreaction. He says North Dakotans recently voted to give the governor more control over WSI, and Schneider says the bill would hamper that control.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-13-09 1345CST | save this article / add to your favorites list