Senate OKs Tax on Spray Paint, Pens in Effort to Fight Graffiti

Told that gang graffiti has reached “epidemic” proportions in parts of Los Angeles County, the Senate has approved a bill to authorize local governments to impose surcharges on aerosol spray paint cans and felt-tip marking pens to raise money to clean it up.

The bill (AB 3580) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) would permit cities and counties to levy a special tax of up to 10 cents for spray paint cans and up to 5 cents for marking pens--if two-thirds of the voters agree to such a move.

A 28-3 vote sent the legislation back to the Assembly for concurrence in Senate amendments. The measure previously passed the lower house by a 42-30 vote. ASSEMBLY Floor Action

Litter: Passed and sent to the governor on a 70-0 vote a bill (AB 4229) by Assemblyman Charles Quackenbush (R-Saratoga) to allow judges to order convicted highway litterbugs to pick up litter or remove graffiti as part of their punishment.

VDTs: Sent to the governor on a 41-31 vote a bill (AB 955) by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) to require video display terminals (VDTs) used in the workplace to meet specified design and ergonomic standards. Reconsideration denied.

Drugs and Alcohol: Sent to the governor on a 41-28 vote a bill (AB 3055) by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Los Angeles) to require health insurance plans to offer coverage for drug and alcohol dependency treatment programs.

Jet Skis: Sent to the governor on a 70-0 vote a bill (AB 2768) by Assemblywoman Sunny Mojonnier (R-Encintas) to outlaw the operation of jet skis, wet bikes or surf jets by anyone under 16.

Employer Crime: Sent to the governor on a 43-27 vote a bill (AB 2249) by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Los Angeles) to make it a crime for an employer to fail to warn employees of the existence of a serious, concealed workplace danger.

Forgery: Passed and returned to the Senate for concurrence in amendments on a 54-1 vote a bill (SB 1865) by Sen. William Craven (R-Oceanside) to make it a crime to use a person’s unauthorized signature on political campaign material.

Agent Orange: Passed on a 75-0 vote a resolution (SCR 116) by Sen. Cecil Green (D-Norwalk) urging Congress to enact legislation to provide benefits for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange defoliant. ASSEMBLY Floor Action

Drugs: Passed and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments on a 27-2 vote a bill (AB 4087) by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Los Angeles) to set up demonstration police foot patrol projects in serious drug-related crime areas of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose.

Semiautomatic Weapons: Passed and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments on a 21-8 vote a bill (AB 376) by Assemblyman Johan Klehs (D-Castro Valley) to outlaw the manufacture, sale or possession of multiburst trigger activators for semiautomatic weapons.

Pesticides: Passed and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments on a 32-0 vote a bill (AB 4161) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to establish a center for pesticide research at the University of California to come up with alternatives for malathion and other chemicals now in common use.

College Tuition: Passed and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments on a 21-6 vote a bill (AB 500) by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) to set up a program under which parents can purchase tax-exempt bonds in advance to help pay future college tuition costs for their children.

Advertising: Sent to the governor on a 25-2 vote a bill (SB 2459) by Sen. Robert Beverly (R-Redondo Beach) to authorize the use of the Los Angeles County lifeguard logo for advertising purposes on swimwear, drinks and suntan lotion to be sold to help raise money to pay for beach operations. Miscellany

End of the Session: Some cable television operators in California are broadcasting Assembly meetings in the last days of the legislative session, which is scheduled to end late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Check local listings. Capital Fact

Each California state senator now represents about 725,000 people and each state Assembly member now represents about 360,000 people.