Hearing Will Address Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi (D) on Sept. 28 at a public hearing in San Francisco will consider a recommendation that calls for workers' compensation insurers to reduce rates by 6.3%, the Sacramento Bee reports. Garamendi will issue his recommendation to insurers by late fall.
According to the Bee, the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau on Thursday made the recommendation to Garamendi but noted that rates could increase by 1.8% if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signs a measure approved by the Legislature.
The bill (SB 815) by Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) would double the number of weeks during which a permanently injured worker could receive benefits. The increase would take place over three years, beginning in 2007.
Business and insurance industry groups have called on Schwarzenegger to veto the bill (Chan, Sacramento Bee, 9/16).