State Senate Approves Tougher Sentences for Drive-By Killers

Convicted drive-by killers could receive the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole under legislation overwhelmingly approved by the state Senate.

A 32-2 vote sent the bill (SB 9) by Sen. Ruben S. Ayala (D-Chino) to the Assembly, where a similar bill died last year.

If approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, the measure would go on the next statewide ballot for voter consideration.

“The current penalty of 25 years to life has failed to stop these senseless murders,” Ayala said. “We need the stiffest punishment possible to deter this kind of killer.”

In a related action, the Senate also approved on a 31-1 vote a bill (SB 32) by Sen. Steve Peace (D-Chula Vista) permitting the death penalty or life imprisonment without possibility of parole for the killing of a trial juror, either in retaliation for a verdict or to prevent the juror from deliberating. The measure now moves to the Assembly.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Earthquake Insurance: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 30-4 vote a bill (SB 58) by Sen. John R. Lewis (R-Orange) repealing a state requirement that insurance companies that offer homeowner’s insurance also sell earthquake insurance.

* Jobless Benefits: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-16 vote a bill (SB 728) by Sen. Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton) increasing the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit to $258 from $230.

* Disability Insurance: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 23-17 vote a bill (SB 542) by Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) increasing the maximum weekly state disability insurance benefit to $409 from $336.

* School Tests: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 23-11 vote a bill (SB 340) by Sen. Leroy Greene (D-Carmichael) requiring the development of a new statewide school pupil assessment test to replace the controversial California Learning Assessment System (CLAS) test.

* Teen-Age Pregnancies: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 27-7 vote a bill (SB 1169) by Senate President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to create a $12-million statewide multimedia campaign informing teen-agers of the consequences of early parenthood. The Senate also voted 26-10 to approve a related Lockyer bill (SB 1170) that would create a $20-million pregnancy prevention program for at-risk teen-agers.

* Welfare Aid: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 32-2 vote a bill (SB 201) by Sen. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) requiring unmarried parents under the age of 18 to live with their parents or guardians in order to receive Aid to Families With Dependent Children benefits.

* Health Clinics: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 21-15 vote a bill (SB 1290) by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) allowing qualified women’s health care clinics that provide abortions to receive state grants for security improvements.

* Transit Board: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 28-11 vote a bill (SB 1152) by Sen. Richard G. Polanco (D-Los Angeles) changing the 14-member Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority board of directors from an appointed body to one that is elected.

* State Computers: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 24-13 vote a bill (SB 1) by Sen. Alfred E. Alquist (D-Santa Clara) creating a new Cabinet-level Information Service Agency to manage the state’s $1-billion computer systems.

* Gubernatorial Appointment: Confirmed on a 36-0 vote the gubernatorial appointment of Milpitas businessman David S. Lee, 58, a Republican, to the Board of Regents of the University of California. UC regents receive expenses but no salary.

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