Resolution Allows Donations to Assembly

A resolution allowing the Assembly to accept private donations of money, goods or services to help Speaker Willie Brown stage his education summit next week in San Francisco has been approved by the lower house.

The resolution, authored by Rules Committee Chairman John Burton (D-San Francisco), was approved by a 58-7 vote. It does not require a further Senate vote or gubernatorial action.

The Assembly action was required to put the policy in writing because of regulations by the Fair Political Practices Commission.

The policy states the donations must go through the Assembly Rules Committee and must be made public within 10 days and cannot be used by an individual legislator.

Burton said the policy will allow the Assembly to accept donations to defray expenses for such events as next week’s education summit. He said it would also allow the Rules Committee to receive and distribute items such as large donations of blankets for disaster victims.

An opponent, Assemblyman Richard Mountjoy (R-Arcadia), said he voted against the resolution because it “will allow special interests to have too much input into the legislative process.”

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

* Earthquake Repairs: AB 2694 by Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chico) would exempt the payment of prevailing wages to workers on public works projects resulting from damage caused by the Northridge earthquake.

* Death Penalty: AB 46X by Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange) prescribes the death penalty by lethal injection at San Quentin if the person sentenced to death does not make a choice between lethal gas or lethal injection.

* Tuberculosis Testing: AB 2682 by Assemblywoman Margaret Snyder (D-Modesto) requires tuberculosis testing of all children in public school grades prior to enrollment and every four years thereafter.

* Liquor Stores: AB 2968 by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) allows the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to impose strict operating conditions on local liquor stores that cause repeated law enforcement problems.

SENATE

Floor Action

* School Bonds: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 27-11 vote a constitutional amendment (SCA 20) by Sen. Newton Russell (R-Glendale) allowing local school bond issues to be approved by 60% vote instead of two-thirds.

Bill Introductions

* AIDS: SB 1432 by Sen. Don Rogers (R-Tehachapi) would add AIDS and HIV to the state’s list of venereal diseases that requires patients to submit their name, address and names of the sex partners to county health officials, who would also be required to conduct physical examinations.

* California Grown: SB 1412 by Sen. Henry Mello (D-Watsonville) would make it unlawful to say “California Grown” on poultry labels if the birds weren’t grown in California.

* State Lottery: SB 1394 by Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) would eliminate the prohibition against using horse racing themes in state lottery games.

* Fishing Licenses: SB 1398 by Sen. John Lewis (R-Orange) would prohibit the Department of Fish and Game from requiring anglers to visibly display their fishing licenses while fishing.

* Monterey Bay: SB 1411 by Sen. Henry Mello (D-Watsonville) would authorize the purchase of scenic Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary automobile license plates for an additional fee with part of the proceeds earmarked to help save the bay.

Readers who wish to communicate with legislators regarding Assembly or Senate bills can write to them at the State Capitol Building, Sacramento, Calif. 95814.