CA: Governor faces decisions on Sierra conservancy, Wal-Mart bills (and other 'stuff')

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger faces decisions on bills that would create a Sierra Nevada conservancy, require economic impact reports before local governments approve Wal-Mart-like superstores and promote recycling of cell phones.

Also headed to his desk are measures that would bar kids under 14 from using tanning salons without a doctor's approval, require schools to notify parents when they serve students irradiated food and give consumers at least 30 days to claim rebates.

California lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to dozens of bills as they rushed to wrap up their 2004 session by Friday.

The Sierra Nevada bill, by Assemblymen Tim Leslie, R-Tahoe City, and John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, would create a state conservancy headed by a 13-member board that would include six county supervisors from the Sierra Nevada region.

The conservancy would have the power to buy conservation easements and make grants and loans to other public agencies, nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes for a variety of activities, including protecting ranch land and open space and promoting recreation and tourism.

The Sierra conservancy would join eight other state conservancies, including two that already cover parts of the Sierra or Sierra foothills - the California Tahoe Conservancy and the San Joaquin River Conservancy.

The Assembly voted 54-14 to approve Senate amendments to the bill and to send it to Schwarzenegger. Leslie predicted the Republican governor would sign the bill. Schwarzenegger's office said he hadn't taken a position on the legislation but supported the concept of a Sierra conservancy.

Jim Sayer, president of the Sierra Business Council, said the Assembly's vote was a "victory for the Sierra and for every Californian who depends on the region for water, recreation or even inspiration."

But Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, said the conservancy represented a step "down the slippery slope" of having a new group "taking control of areas controlled by federal government and local government."

Some Republicans also criticized a bill by Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, that would require an economic impact study before local governments approve superstores that have more than 130,000 square feet and devote more than 10 percent of their space to selling food.

Sens. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert, and Jeff Denton, R-Salinas, said the measure was an attempt to keep Wal-Mart from opening more superstores in the state. Critics contend the huge stores drive out other businesses and lower wages.

Battin said the bill was aimed at Wal-Mart because it's a "nonunion organization."

"If Wal-Mart didn't work, if people didn't like it, people wouldn't shop there," he said. "It's no mistake that they are the largest retailer in the world because they offer low prices."

Alarcon said that if the stores don't hurt the economy the reports required by the bill would show it.

A 22-15 vote approved Assembly amendments to the bill, sending it to Schwarzenegger, who hasn't taken a position on the legislation.

The Senate also approved a bill by Assemblyman Tony Strickland, R-Moorpark, that would require that all touch-screen voting machines used after Jan. 1, 2006, give voters paper receipts verifying how they voted.

The machines would also have to produce printouts of votes that could be used in a recount.

A 33-0 vote sent the measure back to the Assembly for a vote on Senate amendments.

Strickland's bill was amended in the Senate to impose the voting machine requirements after a paper trail bill by Sens. Ross Johnson, R-Irvine, and Don Perata, D-Oakland, stalled earlier this month in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

The Strickland legislation includes language to satisfy Assembly concerns that the state's strapped general fund shouldn't be tapped to pay for any costs associated with implementing the bill.

Sen. Jim Brulte, R-Rancho Cucamonga, said the paper trail requirement should be "mandatory in a democracy where every vote matters."

"Voter fraud is difficult to pick up under the best of circumstances," he said. "With these new touch-screen machines a creative individual can do even more damage to the integrity of the voting process."

Last May, Secretary of State Kevin Shelley barred the use of electronic voting this November in four counties and required machines in 10 other counties to meet a list of 23 requirements.

I didn't see it on the list... lol

A look at actions by the governor and Legislature on Wednesday (August 25, 2004)

http://www.bakersfield.com/state_wire/story/4898692p-4954174c.html

The Associated Press

- Talent agents couldn't require potential clients to pay for photographs or training before taking them on. SB1687 by Sen. Kevin Murray, D-Culver City.

Bills vetoed by Schwarzenegger:

SCHOOLS:

- School districts could conduct programs for students before the end of 8th or 9th grade that reviews their academic progress and counsels them on array of educational options available, using funds from the state's 10th grade counseling program. SB1299, by Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys.

Some of the bills voted on Wednesday by California legislators:

SUPERSTORES:

- Local governments would have to review economic impact reports before approving Wal-Mart-like superstores under SB1056, a bill by Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys. The Senate voted 22-15 to approve Assembly amendments and sent the legislation to the governor.

CONSUMERS:

- Consumers would have at least 30 days to claim rebates under legislation approved by the Senate. A 21-11 vote approved Assembly amendments and sent the measure, SB1154 by Sen. Liz Figueroa, D-Sunol, to the governor.

- Consumer protections would be strengthened for the sale and marketing of vacation time-shares. AB2252, by Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, D-San Fernando, passed the Assembly 72-0 and goes to the governor.

RECYCLING:

Retailers would have to set up systems to collect, reuse and recycle cellular phones. AB2901, by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, passed the Assembly 47-20 and goes to the governor.

HOUSES:

- Cities and counties would be blocked from putting unreasonable restrictions on people who want to build second units behind their primary residence. AB2702, by Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, passed the Assembly 48-14 and goes to the governor.

CHILDREN:

- Children under 14 years of age would be prohibited from using tanning salons without a doctor's prescription under a bill by Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael. The measure, AB2193, was approved by the Assembly 41-29 and goes to the governor.

PUBLIC LANDS:

-State agencies spending more than $25 million on land conservation projects must get an independent appraisal of property before purchase and have the appraisal reviewed by a second expert. The measure, AB 1701, passed the Assembly 70-0 and goes to the governor.

DOCTOR LAWSUITS:

- Doctors could gain a new right to sue health plans and health maintenance organizations in certain situations for failing to pay them. SB1569, by Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Garden Grove, passed the Assembly 41-34 and returns to the Senate for a vote on Assembly changes.

IRRADIATED FOODS:

- School districts serving irradiated foods to students would have to notify parents. AB1988, by Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, passed the Assembly 41-29 and goes to the governor.

MEXICAN DEPORTATION:

- People would have a two-year period to file claims against the state for the alleged deportation or coerced emigration of U.S. citizens and residents of Mexican descent from 1929 to 1944. The Senate, by a 30-8 vote, approved Assembly amendments to the legislation, SB37 by Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Garden Grove, and sent it to the governor.

VOTING:

- Touch-screen voting machines would have to provide voters with receipts confirming how they voted and provide election officials with vote printouts that could be used in recounts. The measure, AB2454 by Assemblyman Tony Strickland, R-Moorpark, was approved by the Senate 33-0 and returned to the Assembly for a vote on Senate amendments.

EDUCATION:

- School districts could teach students in grades seven to 12 about personal finances, including budgeting, savings and credit under a bill by Assemblywoman Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, that was approved by the Senate 24-10. The measure, AB2435, returns to the Assembly for a vote on Senate amendments.

- Schools that remodel their facilities would have to install fire sprinklers under legislation by Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, that was approved by the Senate. A 21-15 vote returned the bill, AB2343, to the Assembly for a vote on Senate amendments.

DISASTER RELIEF:

- Local governments that suffered property tax losses because of last year's fires in Southern California, mudslides in San Bernardino County and the earthquake in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties would get state aid to make up for their losses under a bill by Assemblywoman Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego. The measure, AB1510 was approved by the Senate, 38-0, and returned to the Assembly for a vote on Senate amendments.

TRANSPORTATION:

- The Orange County Transportation Authority would be expanded from 12 to 18 members. AB710, by Assemblyman Lou Correa, D-Anaheim, passed the Assembly 62-0 and goes to the governor.

- Motorists renewing or transferring environmental license plates would pay more under a bill by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The Senate approved the bill, AB2513, by a 24-11 vote and returned it to the Assembly for a vote on Senate amendments.

DRUGS:

- People convicted of drug possession or use would be able to get food stamps under a bill approved by the Senate. The measure, AB1796 by Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, was returned to the Assembly by a 21-12 vote.

- The state would seek federal permission to buy lower-cost Canadian prescription drugs for state prisons, state hospitals and mental health facilities. SB1144, by Sen. John Burton, D-San Francisco, passed the Assembly 43-13 and returns to the Senate for a vote on Assembly changes.

HOSPITALS:

- The Trinity Public Utility District could run Trinity County's financially endangered county hospital until Jan. 1, 2008. The move is temporary until the county can find a permanent long-term solution to the hospital's financial crisis. AB1199, by Assemblywoman Patty Berg, D-Sebastopol, passed the Assembly 64-0 and goes to the governor.

GUNS:

- People would face major new restrictions to buy military-style .50 caliber BMG rifles in California. AB50, by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, passed the Assembly 41-31 and goes to the governor.

ENVIRONMENT:

The 13-member Sierra Nevada Conservancy would be formed to acquire and manage lands for various public purposes. AB2600, by Assemblyman Tim Leslie, R-Tahoe City, passed the Assembly 54-14 and goes to the governor.

TEAK SURFING:

- Boat operators would face an infraction for operating a boat or having the engine running idle when someone is teak surfing (riding wakes while holding on to the swim platform of slow-moving boats), platform dragging or bodysurfing behind the boat. The bill aims to prevent deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. AB222, by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, passed the Assembly 58-5 and goes to the governor.

HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS:

- Homeowners Associations would have to provide clear, easy to understand summaries of their assessments and schedules to hike them. AB2718, by Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, passed the Assembly 65-1 and goes to the governor.

STATE SERVICES:

State employee unions could appeal if state agencies seek to contract with private businesses for services. SB1892, by Sen. John Burton, D-San Francisco, was approved by the Assembly 41-31. It goes to the Senate for concurrence in Assembly amendments.

CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS:

- Hospitals and other medical service providers would be required to tell patients if they use foreign companies to handle confidential records and to get permission from patients before sending their records overseas. SB1492, by Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Garden Grove, was approved 41-33 by the Assembly. It returns to the Senate for concurrence in amendments.

I want a list of those ASSemblypersons who voted for this monstrosity of SUPERSOCIALISM!!!

Your wish is my command!

Assembly Floor votes

AYES

Berg, Calderon, Canciamilla, Chan, Chavez, Chu, Cohn, Corbett, Correa, Daucher, Diaz, Dutra, Dymally, Firebaugh, Frommer, Goldberg, Hancock, Harman, Jerome, Horton, Shirley, Horton, Jackson, Kehoe, Koretz, Laird, Leno, Levine, Lieber, Liu, Longville, Lowenthal, Maldonado, Montanez, Mullin, Nakano, Nation, Negrete, McLeod, Oropeza, Parra, Pavley, Reyes, Richman, Ridley-Thomas, Salinas, Samuelian, Simitian, Steinberg, Vargas, Wesson, Wiggins, Wolk, Yee, Nunez

NOES

Aghazarian, Benoit, Bogh, Cogdill, Cox, Dutton, Garcia, Haynes, Houston, Keene, Matthews, Maze, McCarthy, Mountjoy, Nakanishi, Pacheco, Plescia, Spitzer, Strickland, Wyland,

ABSENT, ABSTAINING, OR NOT VOTING

Bates, Bermudez, Campbell, La Malfa, La Suer, Leslie, Maddox, Runner

Looks like Leslie played chicken shit.

Senate Floor votes

AYES

Alarcon, Alpert, Bowen, Burton, Chesbro, Ducheny, Dunn, Escutia, Figueroa, Karnette, Kuehl, Machado, McPherson, Ortiz, Perata, Romero, Scott, Sher, Soto, Speier, Torlakson, Vasconcellos

NOES

Aanestad, Ackerman, Ashburn, Battin, Brulte, Denham, Florez, Hollingsworth, Johnson, Margett, McClintock, Morrow, Oller, Poochigian

ABSENT, ABSTAINING, OR NOT VOTING

Cedillo, Murray, Vincent, Vacancy

Assembly Concurrence in Senate Amendments

AYES

Aghazarian, Bates, Berg, Bermudez, Bogh, Calderon, Campbell, Canciamilla, Chan, Chavez, Chu, Cohn, Corbett, Correa, Daucher, Diaz, Dutra, Dymally, Firebaugh, Frommer, Garcia, Goldberg, Hancock, Harman, Jerome, Horton, Shirley, Horton, Houston, Jackson, Kehoe, Laird, Leno, Leslie, Levine, Lieber, Liu, Longville, Lowenthal, Maddox, Maldonado, Montanez, Mullin, Nakano, Nation, Negrete, McLeod, Oropeza, Pacheco, Pavley, Plescia, Reyes, Richman, Ridley-Thomas, Runner, Salinas, Simitian, Spitzer, Steinberg, Vargas, Wesson, Wiggins, Wolk, Wyland, Yee, Nunez

NOES

Cogdill, Cox, Dutton, Haynes, Keene, La Malfa, La Suer, Matthews, Maze, McCarthy, Mountjoy, Nakanishi, Parra, Strickland

ABSENT, ABSTAINING, OR NOT VOTING Benoit, Koretz, Samuelian,

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create a Sierra Nevada conservancy	Another land grab; bad idea
require economic impact reports before local governments approve Wal-Mart-like superstores	Anti free-commerce; always a loosing idea
promote recycling of cell phones	A great idea!
bar kids under 14 from using tanning salons without a doctor's approval	This, IMHO is called common sense
require schools to notify parents when they serve students irradiated food	Why? More bureaucratic silliness
give consumers at least 30 days to claim rebates	Sure, why not?