New Laws For The New Year [California]

Governor's Office, via the KSBW Channel ^ | December 26, 2002 | Gray Davis

[snopercod]

Released By The Office Of Gov. Gray Davis, 12/24/02

Governor Gray Davis signed 1,168 bills during the 2002 legislative year. A total of 2,191 bills were introduced during the year, with 264 vetoes. Below is a list of key bills that take effect Jan. 1, 2003 (listed by topic).

• AB 1493, authored by Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), requires the California Air Resources Board to develop carbon pollution (greenhouse gas) standards for vehicles in model year 2009 and beyond.

• AB 1928, by Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), creates a statutory civil action for injuries resulting from acts of gender-related violence. It allows civil actions to be brought within three years of the act of gender-related violence, or within eight years after the victim reaches age 18, whichever is later. It provides individuals who have been the victims of gender-motivated violence with a powerful tool that will enable them to hold their attackers financially responsible for their crimes.

• SB 253, by Senator Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento), authorizes stem cell research from any source, including human embryonic stem cells, that is reviewed by an approved institutional review board. The new law also will facilitate the voluntary donation of embryos for stem cell research.

• SB 682, by Senator Don Perata (D-Alameda), and AB 496, by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood), make California the first state in the nation to repeal the special immunity privileges granted to gun makers.

• SB 1301, by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), is the "The Reproductive Privacy Act." It ensures that California women will continue to have the right to an abortion, regardless of whether the U.S. Supreme Court continues to uphold Roe v. Wade. Additionally, this bill will allow women to easily obtain access to early non-surgical abortion methods (such as RU-486) by expanding the type of providers that may offer these services.

• SB 1411, by Senator Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough), is the Maternity Parity Act. It prohibits a health care service plan from imposing a co-payment or deductible for maternity services that exceeds the most common co-payment or deductible imposed for other medical conditions.

• SB 1661, by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), establishes the Family Temporary Disability Insurance program within the existing Disability Insurance program.

Consumers

• AB 947, by Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), provides greater protections for schoolchildren from accidental exposure to pesticides drifting over schools.

• AB 1122, Assemblymember Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro), conforms California state law to changes made in the federal tax code. The bill allows Californians to take advantage of higher contribution amounts to better prepare for retirement.

• AB 2944, by Assemblymember Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), and Senator Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey), allows California to enforce a federal law banning unwanted ads over fax machines.

• SB 898, by Senator Don Perata (D-Alameda), clarifies and strengthens the regulation of payday lending business practices and provides for appropriate penalties for those who violate its provisions.

Civil Rights

"California's diversity is truly our greatest strength. Every Californian deserves full and equal protection under the law. No matter where they live, how they worship, or who they love." -Gov. Gray Davis

• AB 2197, by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D - West Hollywood), uses savings from people on Medi-Cal with AIDS who would voluntarily enroll in Medi-Cal managed care. Those savings will be used to enroll people with HIV into Medi-Cal. This bill provides comprehensive medical care to a still productive disabled person.

• AB 2216, by Assemblymember Fred Keeley (D-Boulder Creek), allows domestic partners to inherit a partner's separate property should the partner die without having made a will.

• SB 1945, by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), extends the statute of limitations for the filing of a hate violence complaint pursuant to the Civil Rights Act with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Corporate Accountability

"When corporate fraud becomes corporate failure, real people get hurt and our economy suffers. "'Free market' does not mean free from ethical standards." -Gov. Gray Davis

• AB 270, by Assemblymember Lou Correa (D-Anaheim) and Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), makes California the first state in the nation to have a public-member majority on the Board of Accountancy. It also beefs up provisions of state accounting laws, including requiring mandatory reporting of civil judgments, as well as settlements and arbitration awards of $30,000 or more.

• AB 2873, by Assemblymembers Dario Frommer (D-Los Feliz) and Lou Correa (D-Anaheim), requires audit documents and records to be retained for a minimum of seven years. It also specifies information standards for audit documents and prohibits intentional document destruction. Also included is a provision that creates a rebuttable presumption, meaning that failure to meet the state standards constitutes unprofessional conduct and allows for the punishment of violators with license discipline.

• AB 2970, by Assemblymember Howard Wayne (D-San Diego), addresses conflicts of interest by prohibiting any employee of an accounting firm from working for a client within 12 months of providing audit services.

Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/Child Abuse

"For a long time, victims of violent crimes were expected to suffer silently and passively out of sight, out of mind. No longer. For as long as I am Governor, California will be a state that punishes the acts of its criminals, while protecting the rights of its crime victims!" -Gov. Gray Davis

• AB 2030, by Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg (D - Los Angeles), allows waiver of fees for service of protective orders for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.

• SB 1779, by Senate President pro Tempore John Burton (D-San Francisco), extends this statute of limitations for one year for victims of child abuse whose statute of limitations have already expired.

Energy

"Every great cause has a great leader. When it comes to protecting our environment, that leader is California." -Gov. Gray Davis

• SB 1038, by Senator Byron Sher (D-Palo Alto), ensures continuation of important public programs to encourage use of renewable energy and conduct public interest energy research.

• SB 1078, by Senator Byron Sher (D-Palo Alto), establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard for California. It requires a retail seller of electricity (IOUs and direct access providers) to increase their use of renewable resources by at least 1 percent per year, until 20 percent of their retail sales are procured from renewables, which must occur by 2017. The 20 percent renewable requirement will be the strongest in the nation.

Farmworkers

"Together, we're making tremendous strides for farmers and farm workers alike. We've moved forward on health care and housing, education and economic development, technology and transportation and the environment and our water supplies. By working together - all sides at the table, in a bipartisan way - we are clearing old hurdles and tearing down old walls." -Gov. Gray Davis

• AB 2596, by Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (D-Los Angeles), makes technical and substantive changes to SB 1156, by Senate President pro Tempore John Burton (D-San Francisco), which establishes a procedure for the resolution of agricultural labor contract disputes by mandatory mediation.

Firearms

"At schools, at workplaces, and even at places of worship, gun violence is not only breaking our hearts. It is breaking the very soul of America. For years, the gun lobby has tried to convince us that guns don't kill people. But we know better. We know that guns do kill people." -Gov. Gray Davis

• AB 2080, by Assemblymember Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), creates the Firearms Prevention Act of 2002 and provides procedures for the Department of Justice to verify compliance of state/federal firearms license.

• AB 2902, by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood), allows the Department of Justice to annually retest handgun models listed on the roster of approved "safe" firearms to ensure compliance with safety standards.

• SB 1670, by Senator Jack Scott (D-Altadena), prohibits the sale of firearms safety locks not approved by the Department of Justice.

Health

"While we're building stronger minds for a stronger economy, we're also building healthier bodies. When I took office, only 50,000 kids were signed up for Healthy Families. Today, we've enrolled more than 600,000 children." -Gov. Gray Davis

• AB 1830, by Assemblymember Dario Frommer, (D-Los Feliz), prohibits any person from distributing or selling tobacco products via the Unites States Postal Service, or any other public or private postal or package delivery service, to any purchaser who is a minor.

• SB 1230, by Senator Dede Alpert, (D-Coronado), makes the temporary ban on human cloning, due to expire on January 1, 2003, permanent and extends the ban to human reproductive cloning. The bill also creates an advisory committee to advise the Legislature and the Governor on human cloning and related human biotechnology issues and to report on its activities on December 31, 2003 and yearly thereafter.

• SB 1278, by Senator Jackie Speier, (D-Hillsborough), makes a landmark drug discount program permanent law in California. It allows Medicare beneficiaries without drug coverage to access Medi-Cal discount rates. Under this program, seniors save an average of 20 percent on medication purchases.

• SB 1884, by Senator Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough), requires that labels of dietary supplements containing ephedrine display specific warnings and the toll-free number for consumers to report adverse reactions of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's adverse events reporting program. The bill also prohibits the sale of these products to individuals under 18 years old.

• SB 1948, by Sen. Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), is a companion bill to SB 1884, which requires warning labels on dietary supplements to be clear and conspicuous.

Identity Theft

"In the Information Age, we must make sure that our newest technologies keep faith with our oldest values. We cannot allow identity thieves to use the good name of innocent people to do bad things." Gov. Gray Davis

• SB 1254, by Senator Dede Alpert (D-Coronado), makes it a misdemeanor for any individual with intent to defraud, to transfer or retain possession of another person's personnel identifying information.

• AB 1155, by Assemblymember John Dutra (D-Fremont), establishes a new felony/misdemeanor if a government employee criminally conspires to assist another in obtaining a driver's license or other identification card issued by the DMV.

Laura's Law

"This is a critical step in helping the seriously mentally ill as well as their families. This legislation will help end the cycle of hospitalization, quitting treatment, and relapse. It plugs a huge hole in California's safety net, offering safety, support, and compassion."

• AB 1421, by Assemblymember Helen Thompson (D-Davis), will permit counties to provide court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment for a 180-day period to people with serious mental illnesses. Each county voluntarily operating this program must provide teams of highly trained mental health professionals with staff-to-client ratios of not more than 1 to 10.

Public Safety

"The Davis Administration, the California District Attorneys, and California Law Enforcement have been a 'public-safety dream team.' Together, we're making a huge difference. According to the latest FBI data, eight of the ten 'most crime-free cities in America' are located in California." -Gov. Gray Davis

• AB 74, by Assemblyman Carl Washington (D-Paramount), expedites a new wiretap order when suspects try to evade an existing wiretap by switching telephone numbers and cell phones on a regular basis.

• SB 1241, by Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), boosts the State's security by requiring private security guards to undergo criminal background checks with the California Department of Justice and the FBI before they can be licensed to protect facilities and the public.

• SB 1267, by Senator Jim Battin (R-La Quinta), requires people convicted of sending a false or hoax threat to pay for the cost of response by law enforcement or other governmental entity.

• SB 1350, by Senator Bruce McPherson (R-Santa Cruz), creates an Emergency Response Training Advisory Committee to establish terrorism training standards for first responders.

Reproductive Rights

"California is not going to sit idly by and wait for that gavel to drop. We're acting today to ensure that the freedom to choose is the law of the land tomorrow and every day thereafter. If the Supreme Court takes a step backwards, California will not follow. We will keep abortion safe, legal, accessible and rare."

• AB 797, by Assemblymember Kevin Shelley (D-San Francisco), protects workers and patients from harassment instigated by anti-choice Web sites that publish the personal information of clinic doctors, workers and women seeking abortion services. One such anti-choice site, called the "Nuremberg Files," tracks violence towards patients and providers; 14 individuals listed on the site have been injured and seven have been murdered.

• AB 1860, by Assemblymember Carol Migden (D-San Francisco), requires medical professionals treating female sexual assault victims to provide emergency contraception upon request as part of their sexual assault medical examination.

Veterans

"Because of you, America is a free nation. But freedom itself is not free. Its cost continues long after the guns fall silent. Freedom's price is paid every day by those veterans who bear the physical scars and painful memories of personal sacrifice. They gave us some of the best years of their lives. Now, we owe them the best we can give during their remaining years." -Gov. Gray Davis

• AB 2559, by Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (D-Los Angeles/Culver City); SB 1234, by Senator Maurice Johannessen (R-Redding); SB 1773, by Senator Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) and AB 2953, by Assemblymember Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa). The package of bills paves the way for construction of five new California veterans' homes in West Los Angeles, Lancaster, Saticoy, Fresno County, and Shasta County, as well as the renovation of the Yountville veterans home.

  "It is our duty, quite simply, to leave California a better place than we found it. And, with your help and the grace of God, that is what we will do." -Gov. Gray Davis, 2002 State of the State Address

LEGISLATIVE TOTALS -- 1ST DAVIS ADMINISTRATION
Regular Sessions

1999
AB introduced: 1701 Bills Signed 1019
SB introduced: 1316 Bills chaptered w/o signature 6
Bills Vetoed 246
Total Introduced: 3017 Total bills to GGD: 1271

Approximately 42% of bills introduced in 1999 came down to the Governor, and he vetoed approximately 20%.

2000
AB introduced: 1242 Bills Signed 1088
SB introduced: 890 Bills chaptered w/o signature 4
Bills Vetoed 364
Total Introduced: 2132 Total bills to GGD: 1456

Approximately 68% of bills introduced in 2000 came down to the Governor, and he vetoed approximately 25%.

2001
AB introduced: 1742 Bills Signed 948
SB introduced: 1229 Bills chaptered w/o signature 0
Bills Vetoed 169
Total Introduced: 2971 Total bills to GGD: 1117

Approximately 38% of bills introduced in 2001 came down to the Governor, and he vetoed approximately 15%.

2002
AB introduced: 1319 Bills Signed 1168
SB introduced: 872 Bills chaptered w/o signature 1
Bills Vetoed 264
Total Introduced: 2191 Total bills to GGD: 1433

Approximately 65% of bills introduced in 2002 came down to the Governor, and he vetoed approximately 18%.

Totals 1999-2002
AB introduced: 6004 Bills Signed 4223
SB introduced: 4307 Bills chaptered w/o signature 11
Bills Vetoed 1043
Total Introduced: 10,311 Total bills to GGD: 5277

Approximately 51% of bills introduced in the 1st Davis Administration came down to the Governor, and he vetoed approximately 20%.

[snopercod]

Read it and weep, you Californians. Out of 1168 signed, only three bills were introduced by Republicans?

I especially liked the part where Davis called himself a "great leader".

[snopercod]

Happy f***ing New Year, y'all!

[2banana]

The more laws you have to more prosperity you get.

I think if they raise taxes even more that should really help them out.

How far away if the Nevada state border again?

[sasquatch]

AB 2216, by Assemblymember Fred Keeley (D-Boulder Creek), allows domestic partners to inherit a partner's separate property should the partner die without having made a will.

Phred wants Sam Farr's assets.

[chiefqc]

"Hey Calif. voters, You elected him so stop your whining".

[Just another Joe]

SB 682, by Senator Don Perata (D-Alameda), and AB 496, by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood), make California the first state in the nation to repeal the special immunity privileges granted to gun makers.

Here it comes. The gun companies may as well stop selling in Kookiefornia.

AB 2197, by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D - West Hollywood), uses savings from people on Medi-Cal with AIDS who would voluntarily enroll in Medi-Cal managed care. Those savings will be used to enroll people with HIV into Medi-Cal. This bill provides comprehensive medical care to a still productive disabled person.

And there goes medi-cal down the hole more so than it is now.
How many aids patients do you see moving to Kookiefornia NOW?

[sasquatch]

"Hey Calif. voters, You elected him so stop your whining".

I think you'll find a number of 'us voters' worked hard to defeat Davis,
assuming that's the 'him' you're refering to.

[liberateUS]

Too bad that the socialist/fascists outnumber the sane by large numbers. When enough producers leave, California will go bankrupt trying to support the takers. Wonder who they'll call to clean up the mess?

[sasquatch]

I believe that people are going to wake up and realize
what happened. Ronaldus Maximus came from Ca.

[DumpsterDiver]

And from the Modesto Bee:

Some laws passed in 2001 also will take effect Jan. 1, including one requiring gun purchasers to obtain a $45 safety certificate from the state. To obtain the five-year certificate, buyers will have to pass a written test, demonstrate safety techniques and submit fingerprints.

[SierraWasp]

And here's the Sacramento Business Journal's list of the one's that add burdens to Business:

This oughta really help solve the DEFICIT!!!

[NormsRevenge]

IS this ALL?

We need MORE govt intrusion into every facet of our weary, tired lives as we toil away to feed, house and care for the state's poor and disadvantaged illegals.

We need to have new state holidays named after our most famous "illegals". How about the first big jackpot winner of our state lotto game years ago?

We need a Sanchez sistas day so everyone can see how anyone, if they are ruthless and full of enough guile, can get over in America.

We need to ban logic and reason and not look back as folks scream at us as we step into the abyss.

HaPPy New Year, Indeed ;-P

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Missed getting this on the list!

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