Panel Votes to Bar New North Coast Oil Drilling

A key Senate committee has approved a bill to ban all new oil and gas drilling operations in state waters off the scenic Northern California coast except in case of war.

A 10-2 vote sent the bill (AB 10) by Assemblyman Dan Hauser (D-Arcata) from the Appropriations Committee to the upper house floor.

The measure, which would be in effect for 10 years, previously passed the Assembly by a 46-27 vote.

Former Gov. George Deukmejian vetoed similar legislation several times, but the author said Gov. Pete Wilson has indicated he would sign such a measure into law.

“This is exactly the sort of thing he (Wilson) advocated when he ran for governor in 1990,” Hauser said. “In addition to causing untold damage to the environment, an oil spill also would wreak havoc on the North Coast economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism and fishing.”

GOVERNOR

Bills Signed

Firearms: SB 437 by Sen. Cecil N. Green (D-Norwalk) to make it a felony for gang members and others to sell or give a firearm to another person with the knowledge that the weapon will be used to commit a felony crime.

Abused Children: SB 1646 by Sen. Charles M. Calderon (D-Whittier) to expand the legal definition of child abuse to include willful, prolonged failure to provide adequate food to a minor.

Unlicensed Insurance Companies: SB 1145 by Sen. Patrick Johnson (D-Stockton) to require unlicensed insurance companies to inform consumers that the state does not regulate the conduct of such companies or guarantee that claims will be paid.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Prison Deaths: Passed and sent to the governor on a 46-5 vote a bill (AB 2302) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to allow the public to review state reports explaining the circumstances surrounding the deaths of state prison inmates.

Sexual Predators: Passed and sent to the governor on a 73-0 vote a bill (SB 1295) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) to increase the potential prison penalties for convicted repeat sexual predators, who are defined as people who have committed prior sexual offenses.

Cemetery Board: Passed and sent to the governor on a 42-27 vote a bill (AB 2599) by Assemblyman Dave Elder (D-Long Beach) to require the state Cemetery Board to file an annual consumer complaint report with the Legislature and specify what actions were taken to resolve disputes in a timely fashion.

SENATE

Floor Action

Workers’ Compensation Fraud: Passed on a 33-0 vote and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments a bill (AB 2329) by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Rancho San Diego) to require advertisements soliciting people to file workers’ compensation benefit claims to include a statement detailing the potential penalties for the filing of false claims.

Drive-by Shootings: Passed and sent to the governor on a 30-0 vote a bill (SB 1649) by Sen. Bill Leonard (R-Big Bear) to increase the potential prison penalties for drive-by shootings that leave behind paralyzed or severely crippled victims.

Charity Fund-Raisers: Passed and sent to the governor on a 30-0 vote a bill (SB 1682) by Sen. Daniel E. Boatwright (D-Concord) to require professional fund-raisers hired to collect donations for charitable purposes to disclose thir status before asking people for money.