Assembly OKs Bill Requiring Proof of Auto Insurance

Without a vote to spare, the Assembly has approved a bill that would again require drivers to show proof of automobile insurance to law enforcement officers if stopped for a traffic violation or involved in a traffic accident. The measure would reinstate a state law that expired in January.

A 41-29 vote, the minimum required for approval, sent the bill (AB 2078) by Assemblyman Mike Gotch (D-San Diego) to the Senate.

“California has financial responsibility laws on the books,” Gotch said, “but there is no enforcement mechanism to protect the insured from the negligence of the uninsured.”

The lawmaker added that 5 million, or 25% of California’s drivers, are uninsured.

A violation of the proposed law calls for a $120 fine.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* AIDS--Passed and sent to the Senate on a 46-28 vote a bill (AB 11) by Assemblywoman Teresa P. Hughes (D-Los Angeles) to require AIDS prevention instruction classes for public school students in grades seven to 12.

* Hate Violence--Passed and sent to the Senate on a 42-17 vote a bill (AB 1945) by Assemblywoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to require the State Board of Education to develop a comprehensive hate violence reduction curriculum for public schools.

* Senior Citizens--Passed and sent to the Senate on a 50-25 vote a bill (AB 797) by Assemblyman John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara) to create a task force to study self-esteem problems of the elderly.

Committee Action

* Presidential Primary--The Ways and Means Committee rejected a bill (AB 1820) by Assemblyman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) to move Californian’s presidential primary from June to March to give the state more clout in picking the nation’s chief executive. An 11-9 vote was cast on the bill with 12 required for approval. Reconsideration was granted.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Budget--Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 27-11 vote a constitutional amendment (SCA 6) by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to require a majority rather than two-thirds vote for passage of the state budget.

Committee Action

* Parental Leave--The Industrial Relations Committee approved a bill (AB 77) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) to allow employees to take up to four months unpaid leave to care for sick or newborn family members without fear of losing their jobs. A 4-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.