Assembly Bill Introductions: Credit: AB 595 by...

Assembly Bill Introductions: Credit: AB 595 by Assemblyman Gerald R. Eaves (D-Rialto) would require credit-checking agencies to notify consumers of the receipt of negative rating information, to allow them an opportunity to resolve the problem before they are denied credit.

Drug Abuse Counselors: AB 603 and AB 604 by Assemblyman Johan Klehs (D-San Leandro) would provide for state licensing and regulation of drug abuse and alcohol abuse counselors.

Freeways: AB 555 by Assemblyman Eaves would require the state to test automated freeway technology that could control the speed and spacing of automobiles to increase roadway capacity without requiring freeway expansion.

Student Searches: AB 611 by Assemblyman Nolan Frizzelle (R-Huntington Beach) would authorize school officials to search pupils and their lockers or belongings for drugs or dangerous weapons. A similar bill was rejected last year.

Women: ACR 23 by Assemblywoman Bev Hansen (R-Napa) would designate March as Women’s History Month and urge celebration of March 8 as International Women’s Day.

Betting: ACA 10 and AB 557 by Assemblyman Richard E. Floyd (D-Hawthorne) would, with voter approval, authorize cities and counties to legalize sports betting, with a portion of the proceeds earmarked to help senior citizens.

Senate Floor Action: 55-M.P.H. Speed Limits: Granted final legislative approval to a resolution (AJR 13) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda) asking Congress to allow the states to increase the maximum speed limit from 55 m.p.h. to 65 m.p.h. for automobiles on rural freeways. The vote was 28 to 0. It previously passed the Assembly by a 67-5 vote.

Black Americans: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 29-0 vote a resolution (SCR 20) by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) designating February as Black American History Month.

Committee Action:

Endangered Species: The Senate Natural Resources Committee approved a bill (SB 4) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) to place an $85-million bond issue on the 1988 primary election ballot to protect the habitat of unique California wildlife, such as the kit fox, the desert tortoise and the bald eagle. A 6-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.