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6. W WORKERS COMP from page 8 • - - all medical treatment until that claim is denied. - Establish certification standards and continu- ing education requirements for claims examiners to improve the consistency and quality of claims handling. - Allow the Department of Industrial Relations, the Employment Development Department and the State Insurance Department to share information on fraud - related incidents. - Fix Labor Code 5814 so that the penalty of a late claim does not apply to the entire amount of the claim. - Create altemative dispute resolutions and other mechanisms in order to provide injured work- ers' altematives to costly litigation. - Prevent physicians from referring workers' compensation patients to clinics in which the physi- cian has a financial interest. Testifying on behalf of the League and the Califor- nia State Association of Counties (CSAC) was Bill McClure of Los Angeles County. Mr. McClure is a workers' compensation expert who has worked for Los Angeles County for over 30 years. He did an excellent job representing our interests before the conference committee. He highlighted the impor- tance of an independent medical review, the need for alternative dispute resolutions, utilization, and changes in temporary disability payments for volun- teers orlail inmates. He also stressed that any additions to the list of presumptive injuries for police and fire were unac- ceptable as was an extension of temporary disability (Labor code 4850) time from its current one year, to two years. He concluded by emphasizing the need for return to work capabilities so injured workers could return to modified or light duty. We want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. McClure for an outstanding job in representing the interests of cities and counties. We were fortunate to have such a well- spoken, technical expert on our side. Legislative� Bill , Action . The following are summaries of just a few of the legislative bills that are currently being acted upon by the League of California Cities. For more information about these and other bills, please visit the League website's new "Issues and Advocacy" page (www.cacities.ora / issuesandadvocacv) — a one -stop location to access information about legislation, policy issues and related developments. You can track information on bills (www.cacities.org /legtracking), locate legislators and legislative committees, send letters to legislators or the media through the online Advocacy Center, research League policy positions, access useful related links, and much more. TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC WORKS AB 1022 (Oropeza). Automated Enforce- ment Systems. AB 1022 revises the red light camera authorizing provisions and programs by establishing guidelines for selection of a location, ensuring that the equipment is regularly in- spected, certifying that the equipment is properly installed and functioning. Additionally, it allows local governments to contract out technical activities relating to the operation of automated systems. Finally it specifies that the minimum yellow light change intervals relating to designated approach speeds provided in the Traffic Manual of the State Department of Transportation are man- datory minimum yellow light intervals. The interval may exceed the minimum. AB 1022 as amended, will allow local governments the ability to place enforcement cameras within their cities. This bill will afford local governments the flexibility needed to ensure public safety by improving the operation of red light camera systems, providing greater guidance and public control over the systems' use. Furthermore, these changes will improve motorists' confidence in the camera systems and their use and result in improved driver behavior and traffic safety. Staff: Natasha Fooman, Status:Asm, Position: Support. Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE S