Rights Bill Advances Toward Wilson Veto, Brown Says

A Senate committee has approved a comprehensive civil rights bill by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) that the author says Gov. Pete Wilson intends to veto, “but I intend to change his mind.”

A 6-3 vote sent the bill from the Judiciary Committee to the Appropriations Committee for additional screening. It was approved earlier in the Assembly on a 41-33 vote, the bare majority required for passage.

Among other things, the bill would outlaw job discrimination against homosexuals, restore the authority of the Fair Employment and Housing Commission to award damages to discrimination victims, and prohibit employers from requiring employees to speak only English in the workplace.

It would also overturn several state Supreme Court decisions, including rulings that removed FEHC authority to award damages in sexual harassment cases and restricted the rights of families denied housing because they could not show proof of minimum income.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* ATMs: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 41-22 vote a bill (AB 2389) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) that would require banks to notify automated teller machine users of any transaction surcharge before the completion of a withdrawal.

Committee Action

* New Jobs: The Ways and Means Committee approved a bill (AB 3094) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) that would grant state tax credits to businesses that expand their facilities and hire a minimum of 50 new permanent employees. A 16-1 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

* Buy American: The Labor and Employment Committee approved a resolution (ACR 115) by Assemblyman Bob Epple (D-Norwalk) urging Californians to buy American-made products to rejuvenate the economy and create jobs. A 6-0 vote sent the resolution to the Assembly floor.

* Health Care: The Insurance Committee approved a bill (SB 6) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) that would establish a comprehensive health care insurance system for all Californians. The system would be financed equally by contributions from employers and employees. A 10-4 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Breast Implants: Passed and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in Senate amendments on a 22-2 vote a bill (AB 190) by Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan (R-Fresno) that would require doctors to give patients information on the risks and possible adverse side effects of silicone breast implants before the operations.

Committee Action

* Alien Criminals: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 2519) by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) that would require the state to refer all prison inmates convicted of violent or drug felonies to the Immigration and Naturalization Service to determine if they are illegal immigrants and subject to deportation. A 6-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

* Environmental Chief: The Rules Committee unanimously voted to recommend the confirmation of the governor’s appointment of James Strock as the head of the state’s Environmental Protection Agency. A 4-0 vote sent the appointment to the Senate floor.

* Right to Bear Arms: The Judiciary Committee rejected a proposed constitutional amendment (SCA 39) by Sen. Don Rogers (R-Bakersfield) that would have asked voters to reaffirm the 2nd Amendment of the U. S. Constitution concerning the right to bear arms by also placing it in the California Constitution.

* King Beating: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 2340) by Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson (D-Los Angeles) to require any law enforcement officer who witnesses an unlawful assault to file a report with his or her superiors within 48 hours of the incident. This measure stems from the Rodney G. King beating by Los Angeles police officers. A 6-3 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Miscellany

* Editorial Writer Honored: The Assembly unanimously passed a resolution commending retiring Los Angeles Times editorial writer Jack Burby for 44 years of distinguished service in journalism and government. Burby also served as Capitol press secretary to former Gov. Edmund G. (Pat) Brown from 1960-67 and later as a special assistant to the U. S. secretary of transportation. The resolution was sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar).