Posted on 08/26/2004 7:26:33 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
After four years of on-and-off negotiations, state lawmakers have sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a bill to create a state conservancy for California's largest mountain range, and the governor is expected to sign it. The Assembly voted 62-14 Wednesday to create a Sierra Nevada Conservancy with a stated mission of protecting sensitive areas, reducing fire risks and improving tourism opportunities in 22 counties, including Placer and El Dorado.
More than anything, the new conservancy would allow the Sierra's rural counties to tap millions of dollars in state bond funds that have gone largely to affluent coastal areas and urbanized Lake Tahoe.
"Now that we have this body, we should start getting a fair slice of this money," said Tim Leslie, a Republican from Tahoe City who helped sponsor the legislation.
"It's a great day for the Sierra," said John Laird, a Democrat from Santa Cruz who worked with Leslie in an unusual bipartisan collaboration.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
"Now that we have this body, we should start getting a fair slice of this money," said Tim Leslie, a Republican from Tahoe City who helped sponsor the legislation.
So it's about getting a piece of the pie?
Goodbey California, it was nice knowing you.
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.
Bill That Criminalizes Speaking Against Homosexuality Passes CA State Assembly
URGENT: Call Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Today To Oppose SB 1234!
Please call Governor Schwarzenegger TODAY - 916-445-2841 - and urge him not to sign SB 1234. Tell him that you believe all crimes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law but SB 1234 could be interpreted by courts to make religious speech a crime if the "victim" considers it a threat. It is very important that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s phone rings today!
These people have too much time on their hands. They "reconsider" bills that had failed, like AB50, and manage to get them passed afte reconsidering them 2 or three times. I think what happens is people get tired of calling, writing and faxing, so they can say that the opposition went away and VOILA! they pass a bill. AB50 passed yesterday, and goes to the governor's desk. SB1733, the bill to ban gun shows at the cow palace, is being reconsidered today. Anybody be surprised if it passes?
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