2 Bills to Assist Flood Victims in Southland Sent to Governor

The Assembly has passed and sent to Gov. Pete Wilson a pair of bills designed to help victims of last February’s flooding in Southern California, which caused more than $123 million in damage.

A 66-0 vote was cast on a measure (AB 29X) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to provide tax relief on uninsured losses of homeowners whose residences were damaged by the floodwaters.

A 61-6 vote lit up the tally board on a second Katz bill (AB 30X) to reimburse five affected counties--Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern--for public property losses attributed to the flooding.

There was no debate on the two bills, which the governor is expected to sign into law.

GOVERNOR / Bills Signed

Graffiti Removal: AB 3457 by Assemblyman Dave Elder (D-Long Beach) to enable local taxpayers to form graffiti abatement districts to clean up damage left by vandals if two-thirds of the voters agree with such a move.

Drunk Driving: AB 3365 by Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove) to impose criminal penalties on adults who knowingly allow minors impaired by drinking alcoholic beverages to drive motor vehicles.

Jury Duty: AB 2577 by Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) to exempt active local law enforcement officers from having to serve on court juries.

Loaves of Bread: AB 2429 by Assemblywoman Andrea Seastrand (R-Salinas) to repeal specific weight, size and labeling standards for loaves of bread.

ASSEMBLY / Floor Action

Riots: Passed and sent to the governor on a 66-0 vote a bill (SB 2068) by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) to permit the governor to offer rewards of up to $500 for information leading to the conviction of looters or arsonists.

Riots: Passed on a 65-0 vote, and returned to the Senate for concurrence in amendments, a bill (SB 2067) also by Roberti to add two years to the prison penalty for conviction of arson or firebombing during a riot.

Beach Pollution: Passed on a 44-18 vote, and returned to the Senate for concurrence in amendments, a bill (SB 1865) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to require the development of uniform statewide beach testing and closure standards whenever there is a serious pollution danger that could adversely affect public health.

High-Speed Chases: Rejected on a 37-29 vote a resolution (AJR 93) by Assemblyman Steve Clute (D-Riverside) asking Congress to direct the Immigration and Naturalization Service to explore alternatives to high-speed chases of suspected illegal aliens in populated areas. Six people recently died as a result of such a chase in Temecula in Riverside County. Forty-one votes were required for approval. Reconsideration was requested.

SENATE / Floor Action

Child Abuse: Passed on a 30-0 vote and sent to the Assembly a bill (SB 1695) by Sen. Edward Royce (R-Anaheim) to require child visitation monitors to report suspected child abuse cases to the courts.

Committee Action

School Athletic Programs: The Revenue and Taxation Committee approved a bill (AB 694) by Assemblyman Steve Clute (D-Riverside) to permit taxpayers to earmark some of their state tax refunds to help support school athletic programs in kindergarten through grade 12. A 5-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.