Bill Would Open DMV Offices on Saturdays

Department of Motor Vehicles offices would be open Saturdays under legislation that has been sent to Gov. Pete Wilson for his expected signature into law.

The Assembly voted 71 to 0 to grant final legislative approval to the enabling measure (AB 70), authored by by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar).

It would permit DMV offices to be open on Saturdays without additional costs by reducing the number of hours that they are open on other days.

“Waiting in long lines and losing time from work to take care of DMV business is a tradition that we can do without,” Katz said.

GOVERNOR

Signed into law a bill (AB 37) by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-Fullerton) to require the state, instead of the counties, to pick up the cost of special elections to fill legislative vacancies.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* Sheriff’s Department Merger: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 46-12 vote a bill (AB 1587) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to merge the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and county Marshal’s Department to save an estimated $20 million a year.

Committee Action

* Firearms Sales: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 1818) by Assemblyman Mike Gotch (D-San Diego) to prohibit the manufacture and sale of semiautomatic pistols unless they have a loaded-chamber indicator that could help prevent accidental deaths. A 7-4 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

* School Taxes: The Local Government Committee approved a bill (SB 1) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to allow local communities to increase school taxes by a simple majority vote instead of a two-thirds vote. A 6-3 vote sent the bill to the Revenue and Taxation Committee.

* Speed Limit: The Ways and Means Committee approved a resolution (AJR 35) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) asking Congress to grant states the authority to increase the speed limit from 55 to 65 m.p.h. on highways where it is deemed to be safe. A 21-0 vote sent the resolution to the Assembly floor.

* Breast Cancer: The Health Committee approved a bill (SB 112) by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) to require doctors to give breast cancer patients an updated written summary of alternative treatments that are available to them. A 14-1 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Parole Board Appointee: Voted 29 to 0 to confirm the gubernatorial appointment of former Assemblywoman Carol Bentley (R-El Cajon) to the state Parole Board, a job that pays $76,872 a year.

* Housing Bonds: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 27-7 vote a bill (SB 131) by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) to place a $280-million housing bond issue to aid lower-income families on the June, 1994, primary election ballot for voter consideration.

Committee Action

* Smoking Ban: The Health and Human Services Committee rejected a bill (AB 13) by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood) to prohibit smoking in virtually all indoor workplaces, including bars and restaurants. A 5-2 vote was cast on the bill, but six yes votes were required for approval. Reconsideration granted.

* Spousal Rape: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 187) by Assemblywoman Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) to sentence spousal rapists to the same prison terms as other rapists. A 6-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

* More Housing: The Housing and Urban Affairs Committee approved a pair of bills (AB 214 and AB 215) by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) to set up a state-sponsored home mortgage guarantee fund that would allow first-time California home buyers to pay as little as 3% down. Committee votes of 5 to 0 and 6 to 0, respectively, sent the two measures to the Appropriations Committee.

* Work Credits: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 113) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to reduce the amount of work-time credits that can be earned by inmates convicted of repeated violent crimes to 15% instead of the current 50%, which lets them cut their sentences in half. A 9-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.