Calif. Legislature Eyes 200 Insurance Bills

Workers' compensation so far has been the topic of greatest interest to state lawmakers. Many of the bills seek to reverse changes implemented last year that were generally applauded by the insurance industry, while others seek to implement them, Mr. Sorich said.

One of the more controversial bills would impose a prior approval rate review system. The bill was introduced by Sen. Richard Alarcon, a Democrat from the Los Angeles area, who feels that insurance companies have been too slow to reflect the benefit of reform in rates.

"This would be a big step backward and would certainly not encourage new companies to enter the market," Mr. Sorich said.

For the home insurance sector, a bill introduced by Sen. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, would prohibit carriers or agents from using any computer software product in illustrating estimated cost of house repairs, unless the product has been approved by the commissioner.

California currently does not allow customer credit record scores to be used as underwriting criteria in auto and homeowners underwriting by regulation of the commissioner. But a bill introduced by Democratic Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D- Sacramento, would make the ban permanent.

Mr. Sorich said his group will fight Sen. Ortiz' measure "because someday we may have a commissioner who would approve of the practice" and would not be able to implement it.