Assembly

Floor Action:

Voters: Approved and sent to the Senate on a bare majority 41-32 vote a bill (AB 2234) by Assemblyman Byron D. Sher (D-Palo Alto) to make it easier for voters to remain registered to vote after moving to a new address within the same county. Sher claimed that it would help more voters to remain eligible and keep registration rolls accurate. Republican opponents argued that it could lead to vote fraud.

Prisoners: Defeated on a 31-37 vote a bill (AB 1480) by Assemblyman Eric Seastrand (R-Salinas) to stop state prison inmates from losing work time credits for excused absences to visit a counselor or a dentist. Doctor and attorney visits already are covered.

Committee Action:

Balanced Federal Budget: The Assembly Intergovernmental Relations Committee rejected a resolution (AJR 33) by Assemblyman Wally Herger (R-Rio Oso) asking Congress to call a constitutional convention to require a balanced federal budget. The measure failed on a 3-3 vote.

Corporal Punishment: The Assembly Subcommittee on Education Reform approved a bill (AB 1617) by Assemblyman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) to ban corporal punishment in public and private schools. A 3-2 vote sent the bill to the Education Committee.

Senate Floor Action:

Petitions: Approved and sent to the Assembly on a 24-10 vote a bill (SB 16) by Sen. Paul B. Carpenter (D-Cypress) to make school district and community college reorganization petitions unavailable to the general public. Carpenter said he fears possible retaliation against children of parents who signed such petitions. Opponents said the measure would weaken the open access laws.

C-17 Airlifter: Approved on a 37-0 vote a resolution (AJR 43) by Assemblyman Frank Vicencia (D-Bellflower) urging the President and the Congress to finance the C-17 Airlifter development and production program by Douglas Aircraft Co. of Long Beach. The resolution said the program means an estimated 46,500 jobs and a $10-billion payroll. It previously passed the Assembly on a 70-0 vote.

Committee Action:

Stud Poker: The Senate Governmental Organization Committee approved a bill (SB 825) by Sen. Bill Greene (D-Los Angeles) to allow stud poker to be played in card parlors. A 6-1 vote sent the bill to the Senate floor.