Assembly Passes Bill Curbing Transfer of Guns to Juveniles

Tighter controls on furnishing a concealable firearm to a minor would be imposed under legislation that has been unanimously passed by the Assembly.

Without debate, the lower house sent the bill (AB 482) by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Chula Vista) to the Senate. The vote was 58-0.

Under current law, it is possible for a juvenile to obtain a handgun as long as he or she has the written consent of a parent or guardian. Peace said this is a loophole often used by young gang members.

His bill would prohibit the transfer of handguns to minors by a gun shop salesperson or corporations.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Drunk Drivers: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 67-0 vote a bill (AB 98) by Assemblyman Trice Harvey (R-Bakersfield) to increase potential state prison penalties from two, three or four years to three, six or eight years for repeat convicted drunk drivers who cause great bodily harm.

Worker Safety: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 43-0 vote a bill (AB 395) by Assemblyman Thomas M. Hannigan (D-Fairfield) to prohibit new employers from being assessed civil penalties for violating accident prevention program requirements if a good faith effort has been made to comply with the requirements and it is not a serious, willful or repeat violation.

Committee Action

Illegal Aliens: The Governmental Organization Committee rejected a bill (AB 1525) by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) to give the National Guard the power to patrol the U.S.-Mexican border and arrest illegal aliens who enter California. A 4-3 vote was cast on the legislation with nine yes votes required for approval.

SENATE

Floor Action

Rapid Transit: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 29-3 vote a bill (SB 240) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to remove a $300-million bonding cap for the Los Angeles Metro Rail Project and enable the newly created Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to use an additional $600 million in bonds for the Metro Rail Line project during the next seven years.

UC Regents: Passed by a 21-10 vote a resolution (SR 12) by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) to require University of California regents nominated by the governor to be reviewed by an advisory committee before confirmation proceedings.

Salary Cuts: Rejected by a 17-11 vote a bill (SB 82) by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) to cut the salaries of 63 political appointees to 11 state boards and commissions by an average of 43% to a maximum of $52,500, the same pay that rank-and-file state legislators receive. Twenty-one yes votes required for approval. Reconsideration granted.

Beer: Rejected by an 11-17 vote a bill (SB 184) by Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno) to prohibit retailers from buying beer directly from the manufacturers instead of going through wholesalers. Twenty-one yes votes required for approval.

Committee Action

More Firearms: The Education Committee approved a bill (SB 1198) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to require the expulsion of students caught carrying guns onto K-12 school campuses. A 10-1 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Tax Deductions: The Revenue and Taxation Committee approved a bill (SB 723) by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) to prohibit business tax deductions for pleasure boats or yachts, country club dues or fees, luxury boxes at sports stadiums and arenas, and concert admission tickets. A 5-1 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Sexual Harassment: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (SB 459) by Sen. Daniel E. Boatwright (D-Concord) to require all California peace officers to receive training in recognizing and stopping sexual harassment in the workplace. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.