3 Bills Proposed in Assembly to Aid Oakland Hills Fire Victims

A three-bill package designed to assist victims of the disastrous Oakland hills fire, including income tax relief for homeowners who were burnt out, has been proposed in the Assembly.

All three bills are sponsored by Assemblyman Tom Bates (D-Oakland). The lead bill (AB 27X) would require the state to reimburse Alameda County, Oakland, Berkeley and school districts for $8 million worth of property tax revenue lost because of the fire.

AB 26X would permit residents whose homes were razed to deduct fire losses from their state income tax over the next five years. AB 337 would require fire-retardant roofs statewide on all new homes located in fire-prone areas, plus adjacent firebreaks and brush clearance work.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Crime Victims: Passed and sent to the governor on a 74-0 vote a bill (AB 1681) by Assemblyman Richard L. Mountjoy (R-Monrovia) to prohibit disclosure to a potential defendant the home address and telephone number of a crime victim or a witness who reported the crime.

Committee Action

Law Enforcement: Voting 6 to 13, the Ways and Means Committee rejected a bill (AB 183) by Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) to prohibit the use of “pain compliance” hold techniques by law enforcement officers on nonviolent protest demonstrators.

Late Campaign Contributions: The Elections and Reapportionment Committee approved a bill (AB 1068) by Assemblyman Steve Clute (D-Riverside) to increase fines for failure to file last-minute campaign contribution reports. A 15-1 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Bill Introductions

Breast Implants: AB 2376 by Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan (D-Fresno) would set up a state registry to collect data concerning the use of silicone breast implants and associated health problems.

Prisoner Pardons: AB 2373 by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) would set up a state commission to make recommendations to the governor on whether a prisoner should receive a pardon or commutation of sentence.

SENATE

Floor Action

Drug Czar: Confirmed on a 34-0 vote the gubernatorial appointment of Andrew Mecca as the state director of alcohol and drug programs.

Committee Action

Wiretaps: The Judiciary Committee rejected by a 2-5 vote a bill (SB 1120) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) to give state law enforcement officials the power to use wiretaps to investigate serious felony crimes such as murder and kidnaping. Existing state law allows wiretaps only for major drug busts.

Candy Cigarettes: The Judiciary Committee also rejected a bill (SB 468) by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) to ban the sale of candy cigarettes and other tobacco look-alike products to minors. A 5-5 vote was cast.

Bill Introductions

Liquor Sales: SB 1315 by Sen. Bill Leonard (R-Big Bear) would allow the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to refuse to issue new off-sale liquor licenses to businesses located near schools if the school district files a protest.

Beach Hotels: SB 1305 by Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) would prohibit the construction of new hotels on state beaches, including a luxury hotel planned for Santa Monica State Beach. Local voters killed that plan by passing a 1990 citywide ballot measure, but a hotel proponent has sued the city, arguing that the ordinance is not enforceable on state land.

Child Care Permits: SB 1313 by Sen. Alfred E. Alquist (D-San Jose) would require the state to investigate any person seeking a permit to operate a child day-care facility to determine if there is a history of mental illness, which would be grounds for denial of the permit.