GovernorAppointed attorney Ronald F. Phillips of Malibu...

Governor

Appointed attorney Ronald F. Phillips of Malibu to the Commission on Uniform State Laws. A Republican, Phillips, 53, is the dean of the Pepperdine University School of Law. The state position pays necessary expenses and does not require Senate confirmation.

Issued a proclamation declaring May to be California Travel and Tourism Month.

Assembly

Committee Action:

AIDS: The Assembly Labor Committee approved a bill (AB 3033) by Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Mike Roos (D-Los Angeles) to require employers with more than 50 workers to set up AIDS education programs to provide information on the cause and effect of the disease and methods of transmission. A 6-3 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Automobile Insurance: The Assembly Finance and Insurance Committee approved a bill (AB 4325) by Assemblyman Tom Bane (D-Tarzana) to limit the underwriting profit on automobile insurance to 5%. An 11-3 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Toxics: The Assembly Environmental Safety Committee approved a bill (AB 2705) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda) to require routes for trucks carrying highly toxic materials to be approved by the Highway Patrol and to also require relief drivers, vehicle escorts and on-board emergency equipment to help prevent accidents. An 8-2 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Ocean Waste: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee approved a bill (AB 2766) by Assemblyman Dan Hauser (D-Arcata) to make it a misdemeanor for any person in charge of a vessel to dump or allow another person to dump any nonbiodegradable material into the ocean within 3 miles of the coastline. A 9-2 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Senate

Committee Action:

Air Pollution: The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill (SB 1997) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) to extend the state’s automobile smog control testing program, including allowing mechanics to charge up to $300 instead of the current $50 maximum for necessary repairs, depending upon the age of the vehicle. An 8-1 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Vicious Dogs: The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill (SB 1741) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to impose stiff fines on owners of vicious dogs if they violate strict licensing requirements. Owners would have to carry $100,000 liability insurance and could not let the dogs run loose. A 9-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.