Assembly Gives Final OK to State Capitol Smoking Ban

The Assembly has granted final approval to a resolution prohibiting smoking in all areas of the state Capitol controlled by the Legislature.

A 47-10 vote was cast on the measure (ACR 27) written by Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento). There was no debate. It previously passed the Senate on a 23-3 vote and goes into effect immediately.

The resolution bans smoking on the Assembly and Senate floors and in committee hearing rooms, legislative offices, hallways, stairwells, restaurants and restrooms.

Gov. Pete Wilson banned smoking in other state buildings and his own office by executive order earlier this year, but the governor does not control the Legislature’s part of the Capitol.

Secondhand smoke causes 53,000 deaths per year in the United States and is the third-leading preventable cause of death, exceeded only by smoking and alcohol, Isenberg said.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* Auto Theft: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 58-0 vote a bill (AB 1630) by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) to increase the maximum penalty for second and subsequent grand theft auto convictions to five years in state prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

* Security Officers: Passed and returned to the Senate for concurrence in amendments on a 58-0 vote a bill (SB 1251) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to permit Los Angeles City Hall security officers to carry firearms during a state of emergency.

Committee Action

* Sheriff’s Merger: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 1587) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to merge the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and Marshal’s Department to save $15 million to 20 million a year. A 7-2 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

* Indian Burial Grounds: The Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee approved a resolution (AJR 41) by Assemblyman Dan Hauser (D-Arcata) requesting President Clinton and Congress to provide two sites on federally owned parklands to accommodate burial and reburial of American Indian remains. A 12-0 vote sent the resolution to the Assembly floor.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Street Vendors: Passed and sent to the governor on a 33-0 vote a bill (SB 424) by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) to allow street vendors to sell trendy coffee and cocoa-based drinks in addition to ice cream, hot dogs and soft drinks.

* Drug Asset Seizures: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 29-0 vote a bill (SB 1158) by Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) to extend the expiration date from Jan. 1, 1994, to Jan. 1, 1999, on the state law allowing law enforcement officers to seize drug dealers’ assets to provide funds to fight drugs.

Committee Action

* Alcoholic Beverages: The Education Committee approved a bill (AB 1696) by Assemblywoman Diane Martinez (D-Rosemead) to prohibit tax money from being used to pay for alcoholic beverages served at social events attended by teachers and school administrators. A 6-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

* Gubernatorial Appointment: The Rules Committee recommended confirmation of the governor’s appointment of former Assemblywoman Carol Bentley (R-El Cajon) as a member of the state parole board. A 5-0 vote sent the matter to the Senate floor. The job pays $76,872 a year.

* Local School Bonds: The Education Committee approved a bill (AB 1708) by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) to move a ballot proposal to allow voters to approve local school bond issues by a simple majority vote instead of a two-thirds vote from this year’s November special election to next June’s primary election. A 6-3 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

* Lawsuit Settlements: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (SB 1242) by Sen. Daniel Boatwright (D-Concord) to prohibit secret settlements of lawsuits involving local governmental agencies. A 6-3 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Miscellany

* Lobbying Expenses: The California Teachers Assn. spent $2.1 million on lobbying during the first quarter of 1993, more than twice the amount spent by the No. 2 lobbying group, the California Medical Assn., which spent $460,260, according to Secretary of State March Fong Eu. The CTA total includes the purchase of television and radio commercial time to campaign against cutting state aid to schools. The highest-paid lobbying firm, which earned $453,260, was Carpenter, Snodgrass & Associates, headed by former state Sen. Denny Carpenter (R-Newport Beach). George Steffes Inc., headed by the former aide to former Gov. Ronald Reagan, was No. 2 at $448,772.