Governor Signs Bill to Limit Creation of New State Boards

A bill aimed at saving taxpayers’ money by curbing the creation of state boards and commissions has been signed into law by Gov. George Deukmejian.

The Little Hoover Commission recently reported there are more than 400 state boards, commissions and bureaus that spend almost $2 billion each year.

Under AB 2572 by Assemblywoman Delaine Eastin (D-Union City), proponents of every new board or commission will have to prove that it is needed and that an existing body cannot assume the work. Within eight years after a new board or commission is created, the legislative analyst is to review its operations and recommend to lawmakers if it should be continued. GOVERNOR

Issued a proclamation designating Sept. 16-22 as Hispanic Heritage Week in California. Bills Signed

Disabled Parking: AB 2625 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to require the state universities and community colleges, and request the University of California, to provide more parking for disabled students and visitors.

Parole: SB 2516 by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) to increase, from one to up to five years, the time between parole suitability hearings for murderers sentenced to serve life terms. The goal of the bill is to reduce the emotional strain on survivors of victims who appear at the hearings to oppose early release.

Wages: AB 2693 by Assemblywoman Delaine Eastin (D-Union City) to increase penalties for employers who pay their workers in cash in order to evade taxes.

Cranes: AB 3826 by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) to require twice-a-year state safety inspections of tower cranes. This bill is the result of a high-rise crane accident in San Francisco last year that killed five people and injured 21 others.

Notary Seals: AB 1593 by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker (D-Inglewood) to impose state controls on the manufacture and sale of notary public seals to reduce the possibility of fraud.

Smoking: SB 2519 by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to require bus companies to enforce “no smoking” ordinances in passenger seating areas. Bills Vetoed

AIDS: SB 2509 by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to make it easier for health care workers who contract diseases like AIDS while on the job to collect workers’ compensation benefits. The governor said the bill is unnecessary because existing state law already works in favor of injured workers. Capital Fact

Sept. 30 is the last day for Deukmejian to sign or veto bills passed during the closing days of the 1990 legislative session.