Businesses Would Lose Lobbying Deduction Under Assembly Bill

Businesses would be prohibited from claiming tax deductions for legislative lobbying expenses under legislation introduced in the Assembly.

The proposal would increase annual state revenues by about $10 million, said Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento), author of the measure (AB 1865).

“This tax loophole is available only to businesses and corporations,” Isenberg said. “A private citizen who gets involved and travels to Sacramento to meet with a legislator cannot benefit from this tax deduction.”

More than 1,000 lobbyists operate in Sacramento, and their employers spend more than $120 million annually, according to the secretary of state’s office.

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

Presidential Primary: AB 2196 by Assemblyman Jim Costa (D-Hanford) would move the state’s presidential primary election to the first Tuesday in March.

Illegal Immigrants: AB 2171 by Assemblyman Richard L. Mountjoy (R-Arcadia) would prohibit illegal immigrants from obtaining or renewing California driver’s licenses.

More Illegal Immigrants: AB 1801 by Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange) would prohibit illegal immigrants from enrolling in state universities or community colleges.

Tax Returns: AB 1737 by Assemblyman Barbara Friedman (D-Los Angeles) would require the state to allow individual taxpayers to file their tax returns via computers.

Jurors’ Names: AB 1915 by Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) would prohibit news media publication of jurors’ names, addresses, telephone numbers or places of work.

Drunk Drivers: AB 1903 by Assemblyman David Knowles (R-Cameron Park) would provide $100 rewards for citizens who report alcohol or drug-impaired drivers to law enforcement authorities.

Life Jackets: AB 1856 by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-Burlingame) would require all boats to carry life jackets and require children younger than 6 to wear them.

SENATE

Floor Action

Base Closures: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 28-0 vote a resolution (SJR 9) by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) asking the President and secretary of defense to postpone the closure of any additional California military installations until the full economic impact can be assessed.

Bill Introductions

Official Salaries: SCA 12 by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) would prohibit local elected officials’ salaries from being more than the $114,000 annual salary paid to the governor.

Ticket Scalping: SB 1019 by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) would outlaw the sale of tickets to entertainment events for more than 120% of the price printed on the ticket.

Needle Exchange: SB 1048 by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) would authorize pilot projects to allow drug addicts to exchange dirty needles and syringes for clean ones to try to prevent the spread of AIDS.

VDT Safety: SB 832 by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) would require video display terminals to meet specified design and safety standards to protect workers.

Wiretaps: SB 800 by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) would authorize the use of wiretaps where there is reasonable cause to believe that the person under investigation is involved in a gang.

Condoms: SB 1156 by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) would require business establishments that have on-site liquor licenses to also have coin-operated vending machines that dispense affordable, high-quality condoms in their restrooms.

Capital Fact

A total of 2,363 Assembly and 1,219 Senate bills were introduced before the recent deadline. In 1991, 2,174 Assembly and 1,243 Senate bills were introduced.