Assembly

Committee Action: Drunk Driving: The Public Safety Committee approved a bill (AB 78) by Assemblywoman Bev Hansen (R-Santa Rosa) to make a fourth drunk-driving conviction within seven years an automatic felony offense punishable by up to three years in state prison. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee for more screening.

Bill Introductions: Schools: AB 1445 by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) would require a state study of the feasibility of placing public schools under the governance of community boards made up of parents of students.

Airports: AB 1471 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would create a Southern California regional airport district made up of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties to plan for future expansion of large airport facilities on a regional basis.

Senior Citizens: AB 1500 by Assemblyman Rusty Areias (D-Los Banos) would allow senior citizens 60 years of age and older to convert equity in their homes into monthly cash payments from the lender.

Women Veterans: ACR 45 by Assemblyman Steve Clute (D-Riverside) would create an advisory committee on women veterans to determine and assess their needs.

Drugs: AB 1450 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) would allow law enforcement officers to close down liquor stores and bars if their owners sell illegal drugs or allow them to be sold on the premises.

Discrimination: AB 1361 by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Los Angeles) would prohibit the issuance of state liquor licenses to private clubs that discriminate against women and minorities.

Recycling: AB 1308 by Assemblywoman Lucy Killea (D-San Diego) would authorize a 50% tax credit on the cost of recycling equipment purchased by business firms.

Plastic: AB 1332 by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-La Mesa) would prohibit the use of any plastic that is not degradable after Jan. 1, 1992.

Senate Committee Action: Fire Extinguisher Systems: The Housing and Urban Affairs Committee approved a bill (SB 323) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to require high-rise buildings without complete automatic fire extinguisher systems meeting specified requirements to install them by June 30, 1995. A 4-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee for more screening.

Bill Introductions: Legislative Pay: SB 979 by Sen. Robert G. Beverly (R-Manhattan Beach) would increase legislative pay from $40,816 to $44,898 after the 1990 general election. The Constitution permits state lawmakers to set their own salaries within certain limits.

State Officials’ Pay: SB 986 by Sen. Robert G. Beverly (R-Manhattan Beach) would provide for cost-of-living salary increases for some non-elected top state officials in years that other state employees also get cost-of-living pay raises.

Firearms: SB 1011 by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) would impose a 10% gross receipts tax on firearms dealers for the privilege of selling firearms and ammunition with proceeds going to fund street gang abatement and anti-drug programs.

Employment: SCA 21 by Sen. Bill Greene (D-Los Angeles) would add to the list of inalienable rights guaranteed all Californians in the state Constitution the right to acquire, possess and protect employment. Other listed rights include enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness and privacy.

Enterprise Zones: SB 961 by Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) would create a California and Baja California enterprise zone authority to finance economic development projects along the mutual border.