5 Measures Call for a Panel to Regulate Gambling Industry

A new state commission to regulate California’s rapidly growing gambling industry would be established under five separate measures introduced on the opening day of the 1995-96 legislative session.

The author of one of the bills, SB 5, Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica), said gambling interests have spent $5.3 million on campaign contributions and lobbying activities in Sacramento since 1990.

For that reason, Hayden said his proposal includes fund-raising prohibitions, limits on initiative contributions, and other conflict-of-interest provisions to guarantee that the commission can remain independent of the gambling industry.

Three of the five commissioners would be appointed by the governor, and one each by the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Rules Committee.

Other gambling regulatory measures were introduced by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco), Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno), Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento) and Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood).

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

* None of the Above: AB 17 by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-Burlingame) would add a “none of the above” category on the general election ballot for statewide and legislative offices.

* Paddling: AB 7 by Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange) calls for paddling as a punishment for minors who are convicted of graffiti crimes.

* Affirmative Action: ACA 2 by Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chico) would prohibit the state and its political subdivisions from using race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin as criteria for discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group in public in the areas of public employment, education or contracting.

* English Only: AB 24 by Assemblyman Richard Mountjoy (R-Arcadia) would require the state and its political subdivisions to take steps to preserve, protect and enhance the role of the English language as the official language of the state.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

* Parliamentary Government: SCA 1 by Sen. Alfred Alquist (D-Santa Clara) would create a parliamentary form of state government with a 120-member, single-house legislature that would elect the governor.

* Term Limits: SB 2 by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco), upon approval by voters, would impose term limits on local elected officials.

* Drive-by Shootings: SB 9 by Sen. Ruben Ayala (D-Chino) would make those convicted of first-degree murder committed in a drive-by shooting subject to the death penalty or life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

* State Budget: SCA 2 by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) would require a simple majority vote instead of a two-thirds majority vote to pass the state budget, and forfeiture of legislative pay for each day the budget is not adopted after the June 15 constitutional deadline.