Assembly

Committee Action:

Special Prosecutor: For the second time this month, the Public Safety Committee rejected a bill (AB 113) by Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento) to require the attorney general to seek an independent prosecutor to handle cases involving state legislators accused of a crime in connection with their official duties. The vote was 3-5 with five yes votes needed for approval. The same committee rejected the same bill by a 3-2 vote last week, but the author received permission to seek reconsideration.

Sexual Molestation: The Public Safety Committee approved a bill (AB 1325) by Assemblyman Norm Waters (D-Plymouth) to allow the courts to prohibit release of the names of juvenile victims in sexual molestation cases. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor. Bill Introductions:

Automobile Purchases: AB 2604 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would give people who buy new or used cars a 24-hour cooling-off period to change their minds and cancel purchase contracts if the vehicle remains in the possession of the dealer.

Infrastructure: AB 2602 by Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) would set up a California and Mexico infrastructure bonding authority to issue revenue bonds to finance border public works projects, which could include sewage treatment plants, water reclamation plants, roads and highways. Senate

Bill Introductions:

Teen-Age Driver’s Licenses: In an effort to help reduce the high school dropout rate, SB 1792 by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) would require students to stay in school, get satisfactory grades and maintain good behavior in order to qualify for driver’s licenses. The governor vetoed a similar bill sent to his desk by the Legislature in 1988.

Drugs: SB 1786 by Sen. Daniel Boatwright (D-Concord) would create 1,000-yard “drug-free” zones around all California schools. Law enforcement authorities could confiscate the vehicles of anyone apprehended with narcotics within those zones.