In the News

INSURANCE JOURNAL: Assembly Insurance Committee Gives Thumbs Up To Spinal Implant Bill

June 21, 2012

The Assembly Insurance Committee unanimously approved closing a loophole in the law that allows double billing for surgical implants in California workers’ compensation cases.

Senate Bill 959, authored by Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, would address the Medicare fee schedule adopted in 2004 and California law, allows for a 120 percent payment for medical costs and allows separate costs for material and hardware in spinal plants to be added upon the original costs.

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LONG BEACH PRESS-TELEGRAM: Assembly panel OKs making funeral protests illegal

June 20, 2012

The state Assembly's Committee on Public Safety on Tuesday approved a measure that would make it illegal for protesters to disrupt funeral services.

Senate Bill 661, authored by state Sen. Ted Lieu , D-Redondo Beach, also would make it illegal for demonstrators to gather within 500 feet of a funeral.

If the measure is signed by the governor, violators could face fines up to $1,000, six months in county jail or both.

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MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL: Marin supervisors back legislation outlawing 'hounding' of bears, bobcats

June 20, 2012

State legislation outlawing "hounding" of bears and bobcats with packs of dogs was endorsed Tuesday by Marin County supervisors.

The move to support SB 1221 prohibiting the hunting practice of using radio-collared dogs to chase prey came at the urging of Supervisor Kate Sears, who noted the practice is illegal in more than a dozen states.

"It is very appropriate for us to urge the Assembly to pass this bill," she said, noting it already has been approved in the state Senate.

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State Senate passes bill to end inhumane practice of using packs of dogs to hunt bears, bobcats

TORRANCE DAILY BREEZE: Lieu bill banning protester disruption of funeral services passes Assembly committee

June 20, 2012

The state Assembly's Committee on Public Safety on Tuesday approved a measure that would make it illegal for protesters to disrupt funeral services.

Senate Bill 661, authored by state Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Redondo Beach, also would make it illegal for demonstrators to gather within 500 feet of a funeral.

If the measure is signed by the governor, violators could face fines up to $1,000, six months in county jail or both.

SB 661 was approved by the state Senate in January and now heads to the Assembly's Appropriations Committee for consideration.

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THE CITY WIRE: America’s Car-Mart on the fast track

June 20, 2012

story by Kim Souza
ksouza@thecitywire.com

There’s nothing sexy about selling dependable cars to hardworking people in small- to medium-size towns across the South. But one Bentonville-based company is raking in record profits by doing just that.

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CAPITOL PUBLIC RADIO: A California lawmaker is trying again to limit protests at funerals.

June 19, 2012

A bill by Democratic Senator Ted Lieu was approved by a legislative committee today (Tuesday).  It would make it illegal for anyone to protest a funeral unless they are 500 feet away:

LIEU: “There’s only one shot at a funeral for the grieving family and to have that sacred ceremony disrupted by funeral protestors is something that in a civilized society that we shouldn’t tolerate.

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LONG BEACH BUSINESS JOURNAL: AB 648 could help alleviate proposed $4.8 million in cuts to fire department

June 18, 2012

City Staff, Council To Debate Best Use Of MediCal Reimbursement Funding For Its Ambulatory Services

By Tiffany Rider - Senior Writer

June 19, 2012 – A bill passed by the California Legislature last year that allows the City of Long Beach to recoup expenses for providing emergency medical transport to Medi-Cal patients, could help reduce the proposed $4.8 million in cuts to the Long Beach Fire Department in fiscal year 2013.

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SACRAMENTO BEE: Senate Measure proposes to honor former Senator Jenny Oropeza

June 18, 2012
06-18-12 JOBeePix.jpg

Former Democratic state Sen. Jenny Oropeza would be honored posthumously with a Los Angeles County highway overcrossing named after her under a proposal zipping through the Legislature.  Senate Concurrent Resolution 79 awaits final action in the Assembly after being approved by the Senate without a dissenting vote, 33-0. The Assembly Transportation Committee will consider the measure today.