Gov. Jerry Brown signs dozens of new laws
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown signed more than two dozen bills into law Monday, including one meant to protect pets from accidentally being killed by traps designed to catch small wild animals.
The measure limits the size of the “body-crushing traps” used on dry land to 6 by 6 inches and prohibits the drowning of trapped animals. The bill is AB 789, by Assemblyman Das G. Williams (D-Santa Barbara).
Brown also signed legislation intended to combat sticker shock for consumers using their credit or debit cards to make calls on a pay phone.
It requires owners of all pay phones, not just coin-operated devices, to post information on call rates and fees, effective Jan. 1, 2015. The bill, by Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), is SB 50.
Another new law, AB 465, authorizes private youth sport leagues to request state and federal background checks on potential coaches. Such checks are already required for public school coaches.
Assembly members Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) and Brian Maienschein (R-San Diego) coauthored the measure, touting it as a way to ensure consistent protection for children against sexual predators or violent individuals applying for coaching positions.
Brown approved a requirement that the state Board of Education include lessons on financial literacy, such as budgeting and managing credit, during the next round of textbook and curriculum revisions. The bill is AB 166, by Assemblyman Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina).
A similar measure by Lieu in 2008, when he was in the Assembly, was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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