Assembly

Committee Action

Pickup Trucks: The Transportation Committee rejected a bill (AB 2561) by Assemblyman Eric Seastrand (R-Salinas) to prohibit people from riding in the open back of pickup trucks. An exception would be made for transporting farm workers in rural areas. The vote was 8-2 in favor of the bill, but nine yes votes were required for approval. Truck Drivers: The Transportation Committee approved a bill (AB 2567) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) to limit the maximum number of hours that truck drivers can be required to drive in California. The measure is aimed at reducing traffic accidents attributed to driver fatigue. A 9-6 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee. Senate Committee Action: Medfly: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (SB 1754) by Sen. Ruben S. Ayala (D-Chino) to make it a felony instead of a misdemeanor to smuggle Medflies into California. The measure was prompted by an unsigned letter sent to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley by someone who threatened to take such action if the malathion spraying isn’t stopped. A 9-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee. Teen-Age Drivers’ Licenses: The Education Committee approved a bill (SB 1792) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to require students to stay in school, get satisfactory grades and maintain good behavior in order to qualify for driver’s licenses. State figures indicate that at least one-fourth of high school students now drop out before graduation day. A 7-3 vote sent the bill to the Transportation Committee.