After a fairly quiet January in the Capitol, the Legislature is beginning to gear up for the upcoming policy and fiscal committee hearings on bills, reported Nancy LaCasse, SELF's Legislative Advocate. The bill introduction deadline was February 23 and the work will begin in March when the committees begin hearing bills.

Bills to Watch:

• AB 1 - California Healthy Children Insurance Program - Assembley's proposal to expand health care to children in California by increasing the income eligibility for the Healthy Families program to 300 percent of the poverty level.

• AB 8 - Health Care Insurance Coverage - The Assembly bill will be amended to include a comprehensive proposal for affordable, quality health care coverage for all Californians.

• SB 48 - Health Care Insurance Coverage - The Senate bill will be amended to include a comprehensive proposal for affordable, quality health care coverage for all Californians.

The California Workers' Compensation Coalition indicated it plans to sponsor legislation to repeal the two-year time limit on temporary disability benefits. In exchange, the group wants labor to repeal a statute that guarantees even part-time employees a minimum weekly temporary disability payment.