FROM THE LEGISLATIVE CHAIR |
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This legislative session promises to be action-packed, and, amidst the big publicity items, there are important bills being considered regarding workers’ compensation. As I have described earlier, there are clear indications from the governor’s office as well as the “opposition” that certain modifications will be entertained favorably this year. Among these are changes to permanent disability, temporary disk ability, and medical treatment. Members of the Executive Board have testified on four occasions regarding various bills, as well as the issues of medical treatment and permanent disability. The Chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee, Assemblyman Joe Coto, invited comments regarding the permanent disability schedule and its effects on our clients, at a hearing on March 28, 2007. President Linda Atcherley testified at that hearing, along with Mark Gerlach, about the devastating effects that the improper permanent disability rating schedule has had on injured workers throughout the state. | |
On April 11, I testified on several bills which are of concern to our clients. On April 25, Sue Borg, Linda Atcherley and myself testified before the Assembly Insurance Committee and the Senate Industrial Relations Committee, chaired by Senator Migden, on more than 10 bills, some of which would harm our clients, and many of which would help our clients. The harmful ones did not get out of committee, and the good ones were passed out to other committees for further hearings and amendments. On May 9, we will be once again appearing before these committees to discuss additional bills regarding permanent disability and other important legislative proposals for our clients. These include bills removing the cat on temporary disability payments, and changing the method of payment for permanent disability. Senator Perata’s bill on permanent disability will be one of the bills discussed. You should be aware that the bills in their current form are not the final product that we expect to see in two or three months from now. There will be amendments, as the parties negotiate different versions and different language. Thus, I want to encourage you to look these bills over, but do not expect these to represent the final version which will be voted on at the end of the legislative term. |
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It is of utmost importance that you and your clients get involved in this debate now. You should contact your local legislature or in a range for a meeting with you and your client. If you have trouble doing this, please call Michael Anadon at Green and Azevedo in Sacramento to help schedule a visit with your legislator in the district office. We will have Lobby Day on May 15, 2007 this year; many of us will be in the Capitol building to meet with legislature wars. However, your efforts on a local level are absolutely crucial to acquainting your legislator with our issues. Please help us in our efforts in behalf of all of our clients. |
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