Time May Have Arrived for Putting Taxes on Credit Card

A pilot project to let some Californians pay their state income and bank and corporation taxes by credit card would be launched under a bill (AB 3583) sent to Gov. George Deukmejian by the Assembly.

The state Franchise Tax Board would select target control groups for the trial program. An evaluation with recommendations would be presented to the Legislature by Dec. 31, 1993.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Woodruff (R-Yucaipa), cleared the Assembly by a 57-2 vote. It previously passed the Senate by a 22-11 margin.

“This bill is offered as a convenience to taxpayers who may not have sufficient funds to pay their taxes when due,” Woodruff said. “It also would help them to avoid late-payment penalties.”

A spokesman for the governor said he has no position on the measure at this time.

The Internal Revenue Service reportedly also is considering a similar credit card payment plan for federal income taxes, which would require an act of Congress. ASSEMBLY Floor Action

Air Pollution: Passed and sent to the governor on a 64-1 vote a bill (AB 911) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to increase potential fines for buses and trucks that spew excessive exhaust smoke into the atmosphere. Drivers of buses and big rigs could be fined $250 to $2,500 for a first offense. Subsequent offenses within one year would call for fines of $500 to $5,000.

Smell: Passed and sent to the governor on a 44-2 vote a bill (AB 2709) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to require fragrance-advertising inserts in magazines to be covered with binders that prevent premature activation of the smell before they are opened by readers.

Battered Women: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 42-9 vote a bill (AB 2613) to allow evidence of continued battered-woman syndrome to be presented in court in defense of a woman who is on trial on charges of killing or attacking her husband or live-in partner. SENATE Floor Action

Offshore Oil: Passed and sent to the governor on a 27-9 vote a bill (AB 36) by Assemblyman Dan Hauser (D-Acata) to prohibit the state from leasing tidal and submerged lands off scenic Mendocino and Humboldt counties for the extraction of oil and gas.

Hate Crimes: Passed and sent to the governor on a 24-6 vote a bill (AB 2683) by Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson) to allow victims of alleged hate violence to sue for monetary civil damages from public and private groups that violate their constitutional rights.

Lottery: Passed, on a 29-2 vote, and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments a bill (AB 2847) by Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson) to require the state Lottery Commission to develop a model agreement for dividing the prize among group members who purchase a winning ticket.

Pigeons: Passed and sent to the governor on a 30-1 vote a bill (AB 3109) by Assemblyman Trice Harvey (R-Bakersfield) to make it official state policy to permit the breeding and maintaining of homing pigeons consistent with the preservation of public health and safety. Capital Fact

The full name of the governor is Courken George Deukmejian Jr.