Bill Would Limit Contributions, Spending in Political Races

Pending voter approval, political campaign contributions and spending would be limited under legislation that has been passed by the state Senate.

A 28-6 vote sent the proposed general election ballot measure (SCA 4) by Senate Majority Leader Barry Keene (D-Ukiah) to the Assembly.

If the measure is approved by voters, the Legislature would be required to enact a campaign finance reform package by Dec. 31, 1993.

That package would have to include limits on campaign contributions and spending, and include provisions for implementing partial public campaign financing and prohibiting the transfer of campaign funds from one candidate to another.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Flood Relief: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 57-1 vote a bill (AB 29X) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to allow people who lost their homes or businesses in the February floods in Southern California to receive tax credits, spread over five years, equal to the amount of their losses.

Lost Revenue: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 60-0 vote a bill (AB 30X) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to give state funds to cities and counties that lost property tax revenue as a result of the February floods.

Committee Action

Los Angeles Riots: The Local Government Committee approved a bill (AB 36X) by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) to establish a Los Angeles revitalization zone designed to help rebuild the riot-torn area by eliminating governmental red tape. A 6-1 vote sent the bill to the Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Automobile Purchases: The Revenue and Taxation Committee approved a bill (AB 2690) by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Rancho San Diego) to grant a limited tax credit of up to $1,000 for each American-made motor vehicle purchased in California. A 6-4 vote sent the bill to the Transportation Committee.

SENATE

Floor Action

Shingle Roofs: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-7 vote a bill (SB 1321) by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) to require wood shingles on new or re-roofed homes to have at least minimum fire-retardant treatment, starting July 1, 1995.

Charter Schools: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-6 vote a bill (SB 1448) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to allow the establishment of up to 100 so-called charter schools, which could implement innovative teaching programs under certain conditions and be free of rules and regulations imposed by the state.

Parenting Skills: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 22-9 vote a bill (SB 1307) by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) to require junior high schools to offer a one-semester course on parenting skills.

Environmental Permits: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-10 vote a bill (SB 1596) by Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) to create an Office of Permit Oversight to monitor the processing of environmental permits issued by state and local agencies to prevent overly long delays.

Airline Food: Rejected on an 18-10 vote a bill (SB 1810) by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) to repeal the state sales tax exemption for hot prepared food served to airline passengers. Twenty-seven votes, a two-thirds majority, were required for passage.