Bill Would Increase Number of Supervisors in Populated Counties

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors would be enlarged from five to 11 members under legislation introduced in the Senate.

If approved by the Senate and Assembly, the measure (SCA 17) by state Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) also would increase the size of other boards in heavily populated counties. The measure would appear on the 1994 ballot for voters’ approval.

Each Los Angeles supervisor represents more than 1.77 million people, which is far too many, said Marks, chairman of the Senate Elections and Reapportionment Committee.

“Local government is supposed to be just that--local,” Marks said. “But the continuing growth of our population has made the size of county boards obsolete. It’s time that we catch up with reality.”

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Holocaust: Passed and sent to the Senate on a voice vote a resolution (ACR 15) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City) to designate the week of April 18-25 as California Holocaust Memorial Week.

Committee Action

Sick Leave: The Labor and Employment Committee approved a bill (AB 158) by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood) to require employers who provide sick leave to allow employees to use it to care for ill children. A 7-4 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Bill Introductions

National Guard: AB 1525 by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) would authorize the governor to mobilize the National Guard to patrol the Mexican border to curtail illegal immigration to California.

Metal Detectors: AB 1454 by Assemblyman Burt Margolin (D-Los Angeles) would establish a state metal detector demonstration project in the Los Angeles Unified School District to try to deter violence on campuses.

Firearms: AB 1417 by Assemblyman Ray Haynes (R-Murrieta) would require the state Department of Education to develop a model firearm safety program for use in the public elementary schools.

More Firearms: AB 1333 by Assemblyman Mike Gotch (D-San Diego) would prohibit the sale of confiscated guns by cities and counties to prevent them from getting into the hands of youths and criminals.

Death Penalty: AB 1415 by Assemblyman Ray Haynes (R-Murrieta) would permit the death penalty for some crimes committed by 16- or 17-year-olds, if the voters approve.

More Death Penalty: AB 1455 by Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento) would prohibit the execution of mentally retarded people.

Teen-Age Pregnancies: AB 1397 by Assemblywoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) would declare it legislative intent that all male students in grades 8-12 receive instruction on the risks of teen-age pregnancy.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

Security Systems: SB 771 by Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) would allow campaign funds to be used to install security systems in homes or offices of state legislators in response to physical threats to their safety.

Lobbyists: SB 681 by Sen. Leroy Greene (D-Carmichael) would allow lobbyists to spend up to $12 per month instead of $10 on gifts to a state legislator.