Legislation Spurred by King Case Verdict Is Sent to Wilson

Legislation that would require judges to consider racial and economic factors before moving a major criminal trial because of excessive publicity has been passed and sent to Gov. Pete Wilson by the Senate.

Sparked by the Rodney G. King trial verdict, a 24-9 upper house vote was cast on the measure (SB 1427) by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco). A spokesman for the governor said Wilson has taken no position on the legislation.

Critics of the King verdict argue the Los Angeles police officers charged with beating King might have been convicted had the trial not been moved to the predominantly white community of Simi Valley in Ventura County, where the jurors were chosen.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Freeway Tow Service: Passed and sent to the governor on a 54-20 vote a bill (AB 3346) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City) that would expand Los Angeles freeway tow service patrols to help stranded motorists on congested freeways during rush hour.

State Budget: Passed and sent to the governor on a 54-23 vote a bill (SB 458) by Sen. Lucy Killea (I-San Diego) that would establish a constitutional revision commission to develop recommendations for improving the state budget process.

Charter Schools: Passed and sent to the governor on a 62-3 vote a bill (AB 2585) by Assemblywoman Delaine Eastin (D-Fremont) that would set up a procedure for establishing charter schools free from many local rules and state regulations.

Hate Crimes: Passed and sent to the governor on a 79-0 vote a bill (AB 3407) by Assemblyman Johan Klehs (D-San Leandro) that would require the state Commission on Peace Officer Standards to develop a training course for police officers on the handling of hate crimes.

Trading Cards: Passed and sent to the governor on a 73-0 vote a bill (AB 3597) by Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove) that would make it a misdemeanor to counterfeit a trading card with the intent of deceiving or defrauding another person.

Condoms: Passed and sent to the governor on a 54-13 vote a bill (AB 3009) by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-Burlingame) that would require distributors of lambskin condoms to warn customers that they may leak and not protect them against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Open Meetings: Passed and sent to the governor on a 60-4 vote a bill (SB 1538) by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) that would strengthen the state’s open meeting law that applies to city councils and county boards of supervisors.

Ward Valley Dump: Passed and sent to the governor on a 49-23 vote a bill (AB 2500) by Assemblyman Byron Sher (D-Palo Alto) that would impose conditions on the licensing of the proposed Ward Valley low-level radioactive waste disposal facility near Needles.

Tax Deductions: Rejected on a 38-36 vote a bill (SB 1637) by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) that would disallow tax deductions for country club dues, sports stadium luxury boxes, concert tickets and yachts. Fifty-four votes, or a two-thirds majority, was required for passage.

SENATE

Floor Action

School Taxes: Passed and placed on the June, 1994, statewide ballot a proposed constitutional amendment (ACA 6) by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) that would allow local school bond issues to be passed by a simple majority vote instead of the current two-thirds requirement.

More School Taxes: Passed and sent to the governor on a 22-10 vote a bill (SB 177) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) that would allow school districts to impose general taxes, such as land parcel taxes, that require a majority vote for approval.

Coastal Development: Passed and sent to the governor on a 22-12 vote a bill (SB 1449) by Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) that would triple the fines for illegal coastal development from $5,000 to $15,000 per day.

AIDS Prevention: Passed and sent to the governor on a 22-6 vote a bill (SB 1869) by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) that would require the state Department of Corrections to develop an AIDS prevention program for prison inmates.

Unemployment Insurance: Passed and sent to the governor on a 24-8 vote a bill (SB 1739) by Sen. Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton) that would extend unemployment insurance benefits for an additional 13 weeks if the unemployment rate remains above 6% in 1993.

Domestic Violence Centers: Passed and sent to the governor on a 29-3 vote a bill (SB 5) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) that would increase the marriage license fee by $5 to provide more funds for domestic violence centers.

Resuscitation: Passed and sent to the governor on a 23-10 vote a bill (SB 1797) by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) that would allow an adult to sign an order prohibiting his or her resuscitation in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Campaign Contributions: Rejected on a 15-12 vote a bill (AB 1068) by Assemblyman Steve Clute (D-Riverside) that would increase the penalties for late filing of campaign contributions. Twenty-seven votes, or a two-thirds majority, was required for passage.