GovernorAppointed Maryela Martinez of Irvine to the...

Governor

Appointed Maryela Martinez of Irvine to the state Board of Education. A student at Saddleback High School, Martinez, 16, will replace Susan Allen Owens of Palo Alto, whose term expires in August. The position pays $100 per meeting day expenses and requires Senate confirmation.

Assembly

Floor Action:

Mental: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 61-13 vote a bill (AB 4515) by Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan (D-Fresno) to require health insurance plans to offer mental health treatment in addition to other benefits. The governor has vetoed similar bills twice in the past, saying they would excessively increase health insurance costs.

Automobiles: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 41-31 vote a bill (AB 4020) by Assemblyman Byron D. Sher (D-Palo Alto) to establish a new set of guidelines for what constitutes false and misleading advertising in automobile sales by dealers.

Gambling: Rejected by a 39-31 vote a bill (AB 3402) by Assemblyman Richard E. Floyd (D-Hawthorne) to mandate the state to study the fiscal impact of a legalized sports wagering system in California. The measure required a majority of 41 yes votes for passage. Reconsideration was granted.

Senate

Floor Action:

Lottery: Confirmed by a 31-0 vote the governor’s appointment of Chon Gutierrez as director of the state lottery. The job pays $82,117 a year.

Committee Action:

AIDS: The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill (SB 2847) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to require the state Department of Health Services to develop a comprehensive plan to fight AIDS. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Senate floor.

AIDS: The Senate Appropriations Committee also approved another bill (SB 2850) by Hart to set up a special AIDS hot line and database to make treatment information available to those persons who seek it. A 7-0 vote also sent this bill to the Senate floor.

Bill Introductions:

Awards: SCR 98 by Sen. Henry J. Mello (D-Watsonville) would establish a “Golden Bear Award” to be given to Californians for outstanding accomplishments in education, science, art, entertainment, industry, commerce, charity and philanthropy.