Use of Sensors to Detect Worst Air Polluting Autos Proposed

Smog control districts could use infrared light sensors to identify the dirtiest polluting automobiles and require them to be repaired under legislation that has been introduced in the state Senate.

“We’re not going to be able to clean up our air unless we clean up the dirtiest cars,” said Sen. Gary Hart (D-Santa Barbara), author of the bill (SB 1404).

The dirtiest 10% of cars produce more than 50% of all pollution from vehicles, the lawmaker said. “Repairing the dirtiest cars may be the cheapest way to reduce emissions,” said Hart.

His measure also would authorize fines of up to $250 for motorists who intentionally disconnect their car’s smog control devices, which can lead to heavy pollution.

The sensors would trigger cameras that would photograph the license plates of pollution-belching vehicles. They would supplement, but not replace, biennial vehicle smog checks required for registration purposes in the state’s urban regions.

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

AIDS Needle Project: AB 2525 by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) would authorize a needle and syringe exchange pilot project in San Francisco to try to prevent the spread of the AIDS virus. The legislation also provides that a health officer can terminate the project if it is determined to have a detrimental effect on drug use and the increased spread of the human immunodeficiency virus. Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) has introduced SB 1418, which is a similar measure.

Driving Privileges: AB 2517 by Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) would require the revocation of the driving privileges of anyone convicted of hit-and-run traffic violations resulting in the death or injury of another person.

Slave Labor: AB 2518 by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) would prohibit state government from purchasing goods produced by slave labor in China or the territory of the former Soviet Union.

Television Shows: AB 2499 by Assemblyman Gerald N. Felando (R-San Pedro) would require all television programs, including cable shows, to have closed captioning of the verbal content for the hearing impaired.

School Year: AB 2520 by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Rancho San Diego) would extend the length of the school year from 175 to 200 days to help prepare students for the workplace and become more competitive with students from other countries.

Home Buyer Tax Credits: AJR 61 by Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) urges Congress to pass legislation granting a $5,000 income tax credit to first-time home buyers as requested by President Bush in his State of the Union message.

SENATE

Absentee Voters: Rejected on a 25-13 vote a bill (AB 1657) by Assemblyman Pete Chacon (D-San Diego) to allow disabled persons to register as permanent absentee voters if they were unable to get to the polls without special assistance or extraordinary effort. Twenty-seven votes or a two-thirds majority was required for passage. Reconsideration granted.

Ballot Initiatives: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 26-8 vote a bill (AB 681) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) to require all petitions for proposed ballot initiatives to be of uniform size and contain a uniform number of spaces for voter signatures.

Bill Introductions

Hate Crimes: SB 1408 by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) would require the state Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to develop a training program for dealing with hate crimes that would be required for law enforcement officers.

Prejudice Violence: SB 1427 by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) would require the state Department of Justice to develop a data collection system to determine the nature and extent of prejudice-based violence that occurs in California.