Governor : Bills Signed:

English: SB 1583 by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) requires the state to develop a test to measure the English proficiency of aliens eligible to apply for permanent residency under the federal immigration act. The governor, however, reduced an accompanying appropriation from $2.7 million to $1.5 million.

Freeway Shooters: AB 2625 by Assemblyman Dave Elder (D-Long Beach) makes it a felony to threaten an automobile driver or passenger with a firearm.

Tort Reform: SB 241 by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) is intended to eliminate some questionable lawsuits from the civil justice system and make it tougher for plaintiffs to collect big damage awards. Bills That Became Law Without the Governor’s Signature:

Water Beds: SB 1645 by Sen. Barry Keene (D-Benicia) prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to tenants with water beds if the tenants provide proof of insurance against water damage. Bills Vetoed:

Mental Health Insurance: AB 300 by Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan (D-Fresno) would have required health care insurance plans to offer mental health treatment in addition to other benefits. The governor said this bill would increase health insurance costs.

Jobs: SB 1643 by Sen. Barry Keene (D-Benicia) would have required public agencies to ensure at least 50% of the total work hours on every public works contact performed by California resident workers. Deukmejian said this bill would impose costly and cumbersome enforcement and monitoring requirements upon those agencies.

Freeway Shooters: SB 1065 by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) would have appropriated $950,000 for the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol to help reduce freeway violence. The governor noted that he earlier signed a bill to appropriate $7.3 million to hire 150 new CHP officers and $2 million in overtime pay for the same kind of work.

Parental Leave: AB 368 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would have allowed parents of either sex to take up to four months of unpaid leave to care for sick or newborn children without fear of losing their jobs. Deukmejian said current state law requires employers to grant such leave for pregnancy or childbirth and he believes it adequately provides for family needs.