SACRAMENTO FILE

Governor Signed into law a bill (AB 804) by Assemblyman Byron D. Sher (D-Palo Alto) to correct an ambiguity in a 1984 law that could have resulted in the dismissal of some child molestation cases in California, including some of the charges in the McMartin Pre-School case.

Assembly Floor Action:

Interest Rate: Approved and sent to the governor on a 48-17 vote a bill (SB 563) by Sen. Paul B. Carpenter (D-Cypress) to keep the maximum interest rate for department store charge accounts at 19.2% until Jan. 1, 1988, instead of dropping it back to 18% next Jan. 1.

55-m.p.h. Speed Limit: Adopted on a 75-0 vote a measure (SJR 4) by Sen. Jim Ellis (R-San Diego) asking Congress to permit states to increase the 55-m.p.h. speed limit on selected rural freeways and highways. It previously passed the Senate by a 21-3 vote.

Committee Action:

Beer Distribution Rights: The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee approved a bill (SB 1211) by Sen. Ralph C. Dills (D-Gardena) to establish exclusive territories for beer distributors. It also would make it illegal for chain retailers to purchase beer at a discount from distributors operating outside their areas. Proponents said the bill would lead to stricter quality controls. Opponents said it would lead to higher beer prices. A 12-0 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Bill Introduction Limit: The same Assembly committee rejected a proposal (ACR 1) by Assemblyman Stan Statham (R-Oak Run) to limit the number of bills that legislators may introduce--40 bills per Assembly member and 65 bills per senator--at each two-year session, except for emergencies. The resolution received a 7-3 vote. It needed nine yes votes for approval.

Magic Mushrooms: The Assembly Public Safety Committee approved a bill (SB 288) by Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) to make it illegal to grow or sell spores of so-called “magic mushrooms,” which are hallucinogenic. A 4-1 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.