GOV. SIGNS CIGA BILL

California Governor Gray Davis signed legislation to raise the assessments on workers’ compensation insurers. The bill, AB 1183, sponsored by Assemblyman Tom Calderon (D-Montebello), will raise the assessment charged to workers’ comp premiums from 1 percent to 2 percent. The additional funds will go toward California’s guarantee fund, which pays for the outstanding claims of insolvent workers’ comp carriers. The Senate voted 27 to 3 in favor of AB 1183 and the Assembly voted 59 to 3 to concur on the amendments. Davis signed the measure on Sept. 12. AB 1183 includes an urgency clause so the bill will take effect immediately.