New Law Aimed at Preventing Hardship if Prop. 13 Is Voided

Gov. Pete Wilson has signed into law a bill to mitigate the effects on property owners who stand to lose if the Supreme Court strikes down Proposition 13. One provision will prevent county assessors from issuing up to $28 billion worth of back property tax bills; another will allow the Legislature time to find another taxing method if the court invalidates the 1978 property tax-cutting initiative.

The legislation (AB 851) by Assemblyman Johan Klehs (D-Castro Valley), chairman of the Revenue and Taxation Committee, freezes property tax assessment practices for up to two years or until an alternate assessment plan can be developed.

“Many businesses and homeowners would have a tough time meeting their tax obligations if the Supreme Court finds Proposition 13 unconstitutional,” Klehs said. “This law will prevent any back tax bills from being issued while so many people are struggling just to survive the recession.”

ASSEMBLY

Committee Action

Term Limits: The Elections Committee rejected a resolution (AJR 56) by Assemblyman Dean Andal (R-Stockton) asking Congress to propose a U.S. constitutional amendment providing for a 12-year lifetime limit on members serving in the Senate and House of Representatives. A 4-7 vote was cast on the measure with 10 yes votes required for approval. Reconsideration granted.

More Term Limits: The Elections Committee also rejected a bill (AB 2325) by Andal to prohibit the state insurance commissioner from serving more than two four-year terms in office. A 4-4 vote was cast on this measure with 10 yes votes required for approval. Reconsideration granted.

Jail Deaths: The Public Safety Committee approved a bill (AB 2302) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to require law enforcement agencies to make public reports on the circumstances concerning the deaths of jail prisoners. A 6-0 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

Bill Introductions

Endangered Species: AJR 80 by Assemblyman Bill Jones (R-Fresno) asks the President and Congress to adopt clarifying amendments to the Endangered Species Act to protect declining species while also considering the economic impact of decisions and designation of critical habitats.

SENATE

Floor Action

Student Firearms: Passed and sent to the governor on a 26-0 vote a bill (AB 678) by Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) to require school officials to expel students found in possession of a firearm on campus.

Committee Action

Sex Offenders: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (SB 1295) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) to increase the prison penalty for convicted repeat sexual offenders who use violence to life without possibility of parole. A 9-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Child Support: The Judiciary Committee also approved a bill (SB 1423) by Sen. Becky Morgan (R-Los Altos Hills) to require business firms to forward the names of new workers to the Justice Department to track down parents who are behind in child support payments. A 9-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Term Limits: The Elections Committee rejected a bill (SB 1298) by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) to allow voters to impose term limits on elected local officials. A 5-0 vote was cast, but six yes votes were required for approval.

Bill Introductions

High-Speed Train: SJR 43 by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) asks the President and Congress to authorize the use of federal airport and highway trust funds to develop a high-speed passenger train system in California.

Miscellaneous

Campaign Finance Reform: A broad-based coalition led by Common Cause of California, a grass-roots citizens activist group, has urged the Legislature to place a comprehensive campaign finance reform package on the November election ballot for voter consideration. The package includes strict contribution and expenditure limits, partial public financing of campaigns, limits on non-election year fund raising, and a ban on transfers of contributions from one candidate to another. “The flood of money from special interests is drowning out the voice of the average voter,” said Lisa Foster of Common Cause.