Governor Bills Signed:Earthquakes: Appropriates $1.1 million to...

Governor Bills Signed:

Earthquakes: Appropriates $1.1 million to the Office of Emergency Services and other state agencies to develop an earthquake prediction system and response plan for California in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey, (AB 938) by Assemblyman Richard Alatorre (D-Los Angeles).

Religious Discrimination: Requires that employees be given time off to observe the Sabbath and other holy days, unless doing so would mean an undue hardship for employers, (AB 1180) by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica).

Unregistered Motor Vehicles: Increases fines for operating unregistered motor vehicles after a one-time, three-month amnesty period to allow automobile owners to pay back fees without penalty, (AB 2000) by Assemblyman Gray Davis (D-Los Angeles). There are an estimated 1.2 million unregistered motor vehicles in California.

Human Rights: Requires that human rights, including the subject of genocide, be taught in grades 7 through 12 as part of social studies and history courses, (AB 1273) by Assemblyman Charles M. Calderon (D-Alhambra).

Child Abuse: Allows the court to take special precautions to lessen the trauma for child witnesses in child abuse cases by allowing the judge to wear street clothes, instead of a robe, (AB 32) by Assemblywoman Sunny Mojonnier (R-Encinitas).

Bills Vetoed:

Governor’s Mansion: Would have created a commission to study possible relocation of the century-old governor’s mansion to a site closer to the state Capitol for use as a combination residence-office, (AB 1411) by Assemblyman Louis J. Papan (D-Millbrae). The old mansion now is a museum. Deukmejian’s home, purchased with leftover campaign funds, is located in an exclusive Sacramento suburban neighborhood. In his veto message, Deukmejian said the commission would be a waste of public funds that could be better spent on assuring continued public access to the historic old mansion.