Bill Would Abolish AQMD, Shift Powers to State Board

A bill to abolish the South Coast Air Quality Management District and other regional air pollution control districts and transfer the responsibility for fighting smog to the State Air Resources Board has been introduced in the Assembly.

The author of the measure (AB 223), Assemblyman Charles W. Quackenbush (R-San Jose), called the existing districts “job-killing machines” run by nonelected officials unresponsive to public complaints.

Quackenbush accused the districts of “overstepping their authority, being inflexible when faced with innovative solutions and creating a flood of often unreasonable regulations.”

The proposed legislation also instructs the California Environmental Protection Agency to develop a statewide implementation plan no later than July 1, 1994, and would not take effect until 1995.

ASSEMBLY

Committee Action

Disability Insurance: The Ways and Means Committee approved a bill (SB 4) by Sen. Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton) to require California employers to withhold another $514 million over two years to restore solvency to the worker disability fund that covers non-work-related injuries. A 13-4 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

Election Costs: The Ways and Means Committee also approved a bill (AB 37) by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-Fullerton) to require the state, instead of counties, to pick up the tab for special elections to fill legislative or congressional vacancies. An 18-0 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

Bill Introductions

School Athletics: AB 238 by Assemblywoman Dede Alpert (D-Coronado) would authorize county boards of education to impose a tax on professional sports events to provide funds for school competitive athletic programs.

First-Time Home Buyers: AB 214 and AB 215 by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) would set up a state-sponsored home mortgage guarantee fund designed to help first-time home buyers by letting them pay as little as 3% down.

Tree Protection: AB 205 by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood) would require cities and counties to adopt tree protection ordinances and require developers to plant trees to replace those that are cut down during construction work.

Attorney Advertising: AB 208 by Assemblyman Paul Horcher (R-Diamond Bar) would prohibit attorney advertising from containing false, misleading or deceptive statements.

Sexual Offenders: AB 196 by Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove) would increase potential prison terms for convicted habitual sexual offenders.

Report Cards: AB 198 by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) would require design of a new school report card that would, among other things, assess the degree to which students are prepared to enter the private work force.

Arts Council: AB 227 by Assemblyman William J. (Pete) Knight (R-Palmdale) would abolish the California Arts Council.

Holocaust Week: ACR 15 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City) would designate the week of April 18-25 as California Holocaust Memorial Week.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

Housing Bonds: SB 131 by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) would ask the voters to approve a $425-million housing bond issue.

Smog Checks: SB 119 by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) would revise California’s vehicle inspection Smog Check program and bring it into compliance with tougher federal Clean Air Act mandates.