Bill Seeks to Ban Higher Prices Based on Gender of Consumers

Legislation to prohibit merchants from charging more money for goods or services based solely on a person’s gender was among the first bills introduced in the 1994 legislative session.

Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-Burlingame), author of the measure (AB 2418), said research shows that women are routinely charged higher prices than men when they buy an automobile, or pay for a haircut or dry-cleaning services.

“Women in California often pay more than men for the same goods and services,” Speier said. “It’s time that these economic acts of discrimination are rung up as no sale.”

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

* Energy Commission: AB 2468 by Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange) would abolish the state Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission as advocated by Gov. Pete Wilson in his State of the State speech for a savings to taxpayers of an estimated $40 million a year.

* Gang Member Trials: AB 2441 by Assemblyman Bill Hoge (R-Pasadena) would allow street gang members as young as 12 who commit crimes to be tried in adult courts.

* South Africa: AB 2448 by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) would repeal state law prohibiting the investments of state funds in business firms that operate in South Africa now that apartheid has been abolished in that country.

* Veterans Homes: AB 2458 by Assemblyman Tom Connolly (D-Lemon Grove) would authorize the state Public Works Board to issue $33 million in revenue bonds to build three small veterans homes in Southern California.

* Legal Bills: AB 2467 by Assemblywoman Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey) would bar the use of public funds to pay judgments against elected officials sued for trying to influence judicial proceedings. The legislation stems from $1.2 million in damages that Los Angeles County was ordered to pay as the result of charges that Supervisor Mike Antonovich tried to influence the outcome of a lawsuit.

* Illegal Immigrants: AB 2440 by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) would authorize the National Guard to patrol the Mexican border for the purpose of restricting the entry of illegal immigrants.

* Murder Trials: AB 7X by Assemblyman Charles Quackenbush (R-Cupertino) would allow some minors 14 and older who commit murder to be tried in adult courts.

* State Lottery: AB 2425 by Assemblyman Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino) would require 40% instead of 34% of state lottery proceeds to go to school aid.

* Arson Penalties: AB 2430 by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-Placentia) would increase the penalty to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for arsonists who cause two or more inhabited structures to burn.

* English Only: AB 2434 by Assemblyman Richard Mountjoy (R-Arcadia) would require the state and its political subdivisions to preserve, protect and enhance the role of the English language as the official language of the state.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

* Gun Control: SB 7-10X by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) would require handgun owners to be licensed, limit purchases of new handguns to one per person per year, and impose restrictions on the purchase of ammunition.

* Prisoner Rights: SB 1260 by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) would specify that state prison inmates are only entitled to rights that are guaranteed by the state or U.S. constitutions.

* Gang Clothing: SB 1269 by Sen. Phil Wyman (R-Tehachapi) would authorize school principals to prohibit students from wearing gang-related clothing and adopt dress codes calling for schoolwide uniforms.

* Smog District: SB 1272 by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) would reduce the size of the South Coast Air Quality Management District from 12 to seven members with five members appointed by the governor, and one each by the Senate Rules Committee and the Assembly Speaker.

Readers who wish to communicate with legislators regarding Assembly and Senate bills can write to them at the State Capitol Building, Sacramento, Calif. 95814.