OC Legislation ’95

The deadline for Gov. Pete Wilson to sign legislation for the 1995 year passed at midnight Monday. With the Assembly now in Republican hands, the GOP-dominated Orange County delegation did far better in getting bills approved than in past years. Although legislative efforts were dominated by attempts to help Orange County out of bankruptcy, the delegation managed to push through new laws that address everything from air pollution to insurance. A synopsis of the lawmakers’ top bills. Most take effect Jan. 1.

STATE SENATE

William A. Craven

(R-Oceanside)

Introduced: 43

Signed: 22

Vetoed: 1

Joint resolutions approved: 2

SB 674: Allows Laguna Hills to annex a portion of Leisure World

SB 863: Helps bankruptcy recovery by allowing county to tap $12 million in harbor, beaches, redevelopment and other funds

SB 866: Requires oversight committees and restricts many investment strategies that got Orange County into financial trouble

*

Rob Hurtt

(R-Garden Grove)

Introduced: 21

Signed: 4

SB 103: Limits unemployment benefits for prison inmates after release

SB 772: Prohibits air regulators from requiring firms to file employee trip reduction plans

SB 419: Makes it a felony to possess chemicals needed to manufacture methamphetamine

*

Ross Johnson

(R-Newport Beach)*

Introduced: 20

Signed: 6

SB 1361: Advances filing deadline for campaign spending reports to account for earlier 1996 California primary

AB 51: Requires seekers of county offices such as sheriff to document they meet eligibility requirements

SB 212: Makes it a crime to use false name or Social Security number to obtain unemployment benefits

*

John R. Lewis

(R-Orange)

Introduced: 41

Signed: 16

Vetoed: 1

Joint resolutions approved: 1

SB 9XX: Allows Orange County to speed sale of public assets to fund bankruptcy recovery

SB 382: Prohibits air regulators from pushing retail businesses to charge for parking or eliminating spaces to restrict auto trips and pollution

SB 670: Caps fees paid by dealers to record gun sales and requires program audit

ASSEMBLY

Doris Allen

(R-Cypress)

Introduced: 24

Signed: 9

Vetoed: 1

AB 56: Reinstates education code prohibiting tests asking K-12 students beliefs or practices regarding sex, religion, family life or morality without parental permission

AB 625: Reinstates variety of dropout prevention and recovery programs

AB 1664: Authorizes Orange County to tap $38 million annually in previously restricted transit funds for bankruptcy recovery

*

Marilyn C. Brewer

(R-Irvine)

Introduced: 29

Signed: 9

Vetoed: 1

AB 12X: Extends deadline for applying for disaster relief for 1994 Laguna fire

AB 1722: Allows firms to barter air-quality credits

AB 1788: Creates mechanism, but no funding, to provide an incentive for cities and counties to expedite business permit process

*

Mickey Conroy

(R-Orange)

Introduced: 44

Signed: 5

Joint resolutions approved: 2

AB 97: Consolidates election of directors of scandal-plagued Santa Margarita Water District with general election to increase voter turnout

AB 202: Strips state’s ability to set rates and impose regulations on paging industry

AJR 37: Calls on Clinton Administration to pressure Vietnam to make democratic reforms and give full accounting on MIAs

*

Jim Morrissey

(R-Santa Ana)

Introduced: 40

Signed: 10

Joint resolutions approved: 5

AB 531: Streamlines regulatory process for registering portable gas engines of more than 50 horsepower

AB 1150: Requires state to develop multi-language informational sheets on insurance policy terms

AJR 34: Asks Clinton to demand North Korea give a full accounting of MIAs

*

Bill Morrow

(R-Oceanside)

Introduced: 37

Signed: 6

Joint resolutions approved: 1

AB 77: Makes Garibaldi official state marine fish and establishes three-year moratorium on catch

AB 618: Allows expulsion of pupils for off-campus offenses such as rape or murder

AB 1237: Allows Orange County Medi-Cal managed care system to negotiate contracts in private, in hopes of lowering medical costs

*

Curt Pringle

(R-Garden Grove)

Introduced: 32

Signed: 5

Joint resolutions approved: 1

AB 38: Denies general assistance welfare checks to anyone convicted of welfare fraud

AB 903: Enacts 1995-96 California state budget

AB 1223: Allows state to withhold driver’s license if fines are left unpaid for evading Orange County toll road fees

* Introduced most legislation while in Assembly; elected to Senate last spring

Sources: California Legislature, Times reports

Researched by ERIC BAILEY / Los Angeles Times