Assembly

Floor Action: Vacation Time: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 41-28 vote a bill (AB 246) by Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson) that would permit public employees to donate part of their unused vacation time or sick leave to other injured or sick employees who have used up their own entitlement. Prayer: Granted final approval on a voice vote to a resolution (ACR 62) by Assemblyman Tim Leslie (R-Carmichael) to recognize the first Thursday in May of each year as the “National Day of Prayer.” Committee Action: Health Insurance: The Finance and Insurance Committee approved a bill (AB 328) by Assemblyman Burt Margolin (D-Los Angeles) to provide basic health insurance coverage to the estimated 5.2 million Californians who do not have it. The money would come from a combination of payroll taxes on employees, revenue from the new voter-approved cigarette tax increase and premiums paid by beneficiaries of the plan. A 12-3 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee. Computer Crime: The Public Safety Committee approved a bill (AB 1859) by Assemblyman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) to make it either a felony or misdemeanor to knowingly introduce a computer “bug” into a system with the intent to disrupt service. Judges also could prohibit access to computers as part of the sentence. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee. Personal Information: The Utilities and Commerce Committee approved a bill (AB 539) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) to require people who collect and sell computerized personal information to notify the subjects within seven days of releasing the data to others. An 11-0 vote sent the bill to the Judiciary Committee. Bill Introductions: Drinking Water: AB 2527 by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) would place a $200-million safe drinking water bond issue on the June, 1990, primary election ballot. Filipino Veterans: AJR 45 by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) would request Congress to grant immediate citizenship to Filipinos who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II and are of sound moral character. Senate Committee Action: State Spending Limit: The Constitutional Amendments Committee approved a constitutional amendment (SCA 1) by Sen. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove) to repeal portions of the voter-approved state spending limit, also known as the Gann limit. A 3-2 vote sent the measure to the Appropriations Committee. Rapid Transit: The Appropriations Committee approved a bill (SB 1) by Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Tarzana) to abolish the Southern California Rapid Transit District, transferring its powers and duties to the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, which would be renamed the Metropolitan Transit Authorty of Los Angeles County. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Senate floor. Gasoline Storage Tanks: The Toxics Committee approved a bill (SB 299) by Sen. Barry Keene (D-Benecia) to impose a tax on service stations and refueling yards to create a $75-million superfund to repair leaking underground gasoline storage tanks. A 4-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee. Bill Introductions: Vietnam Memorial: SCR 47 by Sen. Bill Greene (D-Los Angeles) would require the State Police to guard the Vietnam Memorial on the Capitol grounds 24 hours a day until necessary security steps can be taken to prevent vandalism. There have been four cases of vandalism against the memorial in the last month.