Bill on Tax Refund Check-Off for School Sports Advances

Legislation that would allow taxpayers to earmark some of their state tax refund to support school athletic programs has been approved by a key Senate committee.

A 7-3 vote sent the bill (AB 694) by Assemblyman Steve Clute (D-Riverside) from the Appropriations Committee to the Senate floor.

Revenue raised from the tax check-off would be distributed, based on need, to school sports programs from kindergarten through Grade 12. The money could be used to buy equipment and uniforms and pay for transportation to games.

“School districts are being forced to make more and more budgetary cutbacks,” Clute said, “and too often the first program to go is athletics.”

GOVERNOR

Bills Signed

Drive-by Shootings: SB 1649 by Sen. William Leonard (R-Big Bear) to increase the potential prison penalties for gang drive-by shootings that leave victims paralyzed or severely crippled.

Charity Fund-Raisers: SB 1682 by Sen. Daniel Boatwright (D-Concord) to require professional fund-raisers hired to collect for charitable purposes to identify themselves as such before asking for money.

Bills Vetoed

Cemetery Board: AB 2599 by Assemblyman Dave Elder (D-Long Beach) that would have required 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. The governor said he did not believe it was appropriate for the state to mandate the disclosure of confidential records.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Junk Fax: Passed and sent to the governor on a 46-26 vote a bill (AB 2438) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City) that would restrict the transmission of unsolicited advertising materials over fax machines.

Health Insurance: Passed on a 41-29 vote and returned to the Senate for concurrence in amendments a bill (SB 248) by Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) that would require all California employers to provide basic health insurance coverage for employees and their dependents.

Roof Shingles: Passed and sent to the governor on a 44-31 vote a bill (AB 2131) by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) that would require wood shingles on new or re-roofed homes to have at least minimum fire-retardant treatment, starting July 1, 1995.

Fire Prevention: Passed and sent to the governor on a 45-28 vote a bill (AB 337) by Assemblyman Tom Bates (D-Berkeley) that would require stricter fire prevention standards for homes deemed to be in high fire hazard zones.

Breast Cancer: Rejected on a 45-25 vote a bill (AB 3410) by Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman (D-Los Angeles) that would increase the state cigarette tax by two cents a package to finance breast cancer research. A two-thirds majority, or 54 votes, was required for passage. Reconsideration requested.

SENATE

Floor Action

Stalking: Passed and sent to the governor on a 36-0 vote a bill (SB 2184) by Sen. Edward R. Royce (R-Anaheim) that would increase the penalties for felony stalking convictions of people who follow, harass or threaten their victims with great bodily harm.

Home Deliveries: Passed and sent to the governor on 36-0 vote a bill (SB 1387) by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) that would require stores that deliver, repair or install merchandise to give customers at least one day’s notice before they arrive.

Low-Flush Toilets: Passed and sent to the governor on a 24-8 vote a bill (SB 1224) by Sen. Lucy Killea (I-San Diego) that would require toilets that use less water installed in remodeled bathrooms after Jan. 1, 1994.

Tobacco and Alcohol: Passed and sent to the governor on a 24-14 vote a bill (SB 1879) by Sen. William Craven (R-Oceanside) that would prohibit employers from discriminating against employees who use lawful products such as tobacco and liquor off the job.