Assembly

Committee Action:

Smog Checks: The Ways and Means Committee approved a bill (SB 1997) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) to revamp the state’s automobile smog check program to achieve a 25% reduction in vehicle emissions. It includes stiff increases in how much mechanics can charge motorists to make necessary repairs. A 14-4 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

Financial Planners: The Finance and Insurance Committee rejected a bill (SB 315) by Sen. Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier) calling for state regulation of financial planners. A 6-10 vote was cast on the bill. The author said he will seek reconsideration.

AIDS: The Public Safety Committee rejected a bill (SB 1005) by Sen. John Doolittle (R-Rocklin) to require AIDS virus testing of all incoming state prison inmates. The bill received a 3-2 vote, one short of the four-vote majority required for approval.

Bill Introductions:

Lakers: ACR 163 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda) commends the Los Angeles Lakers on winning their second straight NBA pro basketball championship by defeating the Detroit Pistons.

Senate

Committee Action:

Gas Tax: The Transportation Committee approved a bill (SB 2600) by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) to increase the state gasoline tax by 6 cents a gallon to help provide $1 billion annually over the next four years for highway construction and mass transit guideways. A 7-1 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Garbage: The Natural Resources Committee approved a bill (AB 3298) by Assemblywoman Lucy Killea (D-San Diego) to require cities to prepare plans for recycling 25% of their garbage within three years and allow them to charge disposal fees to cover recycling costs. A 6-1 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Gang Violence: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 3414) by the late Assemblyman Richard E. Longshore (R-Santa Ana) calling for a study to develop a statewide computerized data system to help law enforcement officials to crack down on gang violence. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Health Insurance: The Industrial Relations Committee rejected a bill (AB 600) by Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento) to finance a proposed catastrophic health insurance plan by an increase in the disability insurance tax paid by workers. A 0-4 vote was cast on the bill.

Pap Smears: The Business and Professions Committee approved a bill (AB 3663) by Assemblywoman Sally Tanner (D-El Monte) to raise standards for laboratory technicians who examine Pap smears to detect cervical cancer in women. A 5-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Infertility: The Insurance, Claims and Corporations Committee approved a bill (AB 2787) by Assemblywoman Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) to require medical insurance companies to offer coverage for the treatment of infertility. A 5-2 vote sent the bill to the Senate floor.

Presidential Primary: The Elections Committee rejected a bill (AB 2815) by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-La Habra) to move up California’s presidential primary election from June to February to give the state more clout in picking the nation’s chief executive. A 1-3 vote was cast on the bill. The author received permission to seek reconsideration.