2 Rival Health Insurance Bills Are Approved by Senate Panel

A Senate panel has approved two rival bills to provide health coverage for the state’s uninsured, while an Assembly committee continues to wrestle with a third proposal.

The Senate Health Committee approved a bill (SB 2505) by Senate Republican leader Ken Maddy of Fresno that would use increased liquor and sales taxes to subsidize insurance for about 4 million working people and their families.

Also approved was another bill (SB 2868) by Sen. Nicholas C. Petris (D-Oakland) that would create a universal health insurance program for all Californians, financed by a payroll tax, increased sales taxes and possibly a higher income tax.

Both measures now go to the Revenue and Taxation Committee for further consideration.

Meanwhile, an Assembly Finance and Insurance subcommittee is holding hearings on a third bill (AB 3032) by Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) to require employers to provide health insurance for their employees. GOVERNOR

Signed into law a bill (AB 1314) by Assemblyman Steve Clute (D-Riverside) to require automobile dealers to report all cash transactions exceeding $10,000 to the state Department of Justice to help crack down on illegal drug dealers.

Issued a proclamation designating May as Water Awareness Month in California. ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Airline Fares: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 44-21 vote a bill (AB 3508) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to make intrastate airline fares subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission.

Maritime Academy: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 47-23 vote a bill (AB 3038) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) to make gubernatorial appointments to the Board of Directors of the California Maritime Academy subject to state Senate confirmation. The academy has been rocked by charges of sexual harassment of female cadets during the last year.

Fish and Game: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 62-1 vote a bill (AB 3159) by Assemblyman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) to rename the Department of Fish and Game the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Committee Action

Credit Cards: The Finance and Insurance Committee approved a bill (AB 2920) by Assemblyman Rusty Areias (D-Los Banos) to prohibit merchants from asking for telephone numbers on credit card slips. These phone numbers are sometimes later sold for advertising lists and can also contribute to credit card fraud. A 13-1 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

More Credit Cards: The Judiciary Committee approved another bill (AB 2880) by Areias to prohibit merchants from asking a customer for his or her credit card verification when cashing a check. A 9-0 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Pets: The Governmental Efficiency and Economy Committee approved a bill (AB 4300) by Assemblyman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) calling for civil monetary penalties and license revocations for the repeated sale of sick puppies by pet stores. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

Tickets: The Governmental and Efficiency Committee also approved a bill (AB 3075) by Areias to require the sellers of tickets to entertainment or sporting events to disclose the entire price, including face value plus any service charges. A 6-0 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor. SENATE

Floor Action

Airlines: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-14 vote a bill (SB 2257) by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to prohibit monopolistic mergers and acquisitions by intrastate passenger airlines that tend to reduce competition.

Committee Action

Rental Security Deposits: The Judiciary Committee approved two bills (SB 1755) by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) and (AB 1560) by Areias to require landlords of residential property to pay 5% interest per year on security deposits of more than $50 held for more than one year. Identical 6-5 votes sent the two bills to the Senate floor.

Capital Fact

It costs an estimated $6,850 for a bill to go through the legislative process and become state law.