Panel Approves Bill to Set Prison Terms for Carjacking

Carjacking would become a specific crime punishable by imprisonment of up to 17 years under legislation that has been approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

A 7-0 vote sent the bill (AB 6) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to the Ways and Means Committee for further screening.

Burton noted there were more than 21,000 carjackings nationwide in 1992.

“It is an extremely violent and dangerous offense, the virtual equivalent of piracy on the high seas,” he said, “and we need new laws to crack down on this latest criminal fad.”

The bill would set a maximum sentence of six years for carjacking and add up to 11 years for using a gun and injuring the victim.

Meanwhile, a pending related Senate measure (SB 60) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) would make convicted carjackers who kidnap someone during the crime subject to life imprisonment.

GOVERNOR

Bills Signed

Illegal Drugs: SB 92 by Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) to make the possession of ephedrine illegal. Ephedrine is a component commonly used in illegal drug labs to manufacture methamphetamines.

ASSEMBLY

Committee Action

Child Pornography: The Public Safety Committee approved a bill (AB 25) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to increase potential prison penalties for convicted child molesters who display so-called “kiddie porn” to their victims before sexually abusing them. A 6-0 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Bills Introduced

Guns on Campus: AB 342 by Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills) would require a school principal or superintendent to immediately suspend and recommend for expulsion any student found in possession of a firearm on campus or at a school activity.

Police Foot Patrols: AB 334 by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood) would require the selection of three major urban cities, including Los Angeles, for a state-funded pilot project using police foot patrols in areas with a high incidence of drug-related crims.

Front Firms: AB 340 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City) would prohibit companies bidding on state and local contracts from bypassing legal requirements for participation of minority and women’s businesses by creating “front firms.”

Health Studios: AB 350 by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) would prohibit unopened health studios from requiring a deposit, down payment, initiation fee or membership dues from potential customers until services have been rendered.

Senior Citizens: AB 365 by Assemblyman Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino) would allow retired people 65 and older to take an income tax deduction for volunteer clerical services to school districts.

SENATE

Bills Introduced

Metro Rail: SB 240 by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) would repeal a state law prohibiting the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority from using more than $300 million in bonds to finance the Los Angeles Metro Rail project.

Sex Education: SB 224 by Sen. Teresa Hughes (D-Los Angeles) would require public school sex education courses to include information on the issue of sexual assault by an acquaintance.

Miscellany

Floyd’s New Job: Former Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson) has become the new director of the California Card Club Owners Assn.--but not a state Capitol lobbyist. State law prohibits ex-legislators from lobbying members of the Assembly, Senate or legislative staff for one year after leaving office. A gambler himself who likes to visit Nevada casinos, Floyd was defeated in last year’s June primary by Assemblywoman Juanita McDonald (D-Carson).

Capital Fact

No effort to recall a statewide officeholder has ever qualified for the statewide ballot. There have been 59 unsuccessful attempts, according to the secretary of state’s office.