Measure Introduced to Provide Basic Health Insurance Plan

Legislation that would provide basic health insurance coverage for millions of Californians who are medically uninsurable or work for employers who don’t provide such benefits was one of the first measures introduced at the 1991-92 session.

SB 6 by Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Tarzana) calls for a voluntary health insurance plan, no state subsidies and a cap on benefits. Healthy participants would pay an estimated $128 a month for basic coverage. Those with pre-existing medical problems would pay a higher amount.

Similar legislation has failed to pass and be signed into law at recent sessions, but the author said he is optimistic “that this will be the year for enactment.”

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

Discrimination: AB 101 by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Los Angeles) would make it unlawful to discriminate in employment or housing accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation.

Voter Registration: AB 116 by Assemblyman Peter Chacon (D-San Diego) would allow voters to register for statewide elections on Election Day at precinct polling places.

Regional Governments: AB 3 by Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) would set up seven regional governmental agencies, including cities, counties and special districts, to deal with problems that transcend existing local governmental boundaries.

AIDS Prevention Education: AB 11 by Assemblywoman Teresa P. Hughes (D-Los Angeles) would require AIDS prevention instruction for students in public school grades 7-12.

Indian Remains: AB 12 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) would declare it to be state policy that all American Indian remains and associated grave artifacts be returned to the rightful descendants.

Health Insurance: AB 14 by Assemblyman Burt Margolin (D-Los Angeles) would require employers to provide basic health care insurance benefits to their employees.

Late Budget Penalty: AB 19 by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) would withhold the payment of salaries and expenses to legislators after July 1, the start of the new fiscal year, until they approve a state budget.

Rape: AB 68 by Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills) would require a mandatory sentence of 15 years, without possibility of parole, for a second rape conviction.

Parental Leave: AB 77 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would permit employees to take up to four months unpaid leave to care for a child or an elderly family member without fear of losing their jobs.

Drugs: AB 23 by Assemblyman Phillip Wyman (R-Tehachapi) would require any state, county or city elected officer who is convicted of felony drug offense to forfeit his or her office.

Redwoods: AB 87 by Assemblyman Byron Sher (D-Palo Alto) would impose an 18-month moratorium on the logging of ancient redwoods to provide time to develop a protection plan.

Campaign Expenditures: ACA 2 by Assemblyman Ted Lempert (D-San Mateo) would authorize the Legislature to limit campaign expenditures for elections to the Senate and the Assembly.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

Driver’s Licenses: SB 62 by Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim) would require the immediate suspension or revocation of a person’s driver’s license if he or she is convicted of any drug offense, including the possession of marijuana.

Term Limits: SCA 4 by Sen. Barry Keene (D-Benicia) would, upon approval of voters, increase legislative terms of office from eight years for the Senate and six years for the Assembly to 12 years for all lawmakers.

Alcohol Taxes: SB 23 by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) would increase alcoholic beverage taxes. SB 21 by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) would impose a surtax and floor stock taxes on beer, wine and distilled spirits.

Pets: SB 15 by Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Tarzana) would make it a felony to accept another person’s pet animal and resell it to a medical research facility.

Late Budget Penalty: SCA 1 by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) would require forfeiture of paychecks and expense checks by the governor and members of the Legislature after July 1 until a state budget is passed.

Bill Introduction Limit: SCR 2 by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) would limit senators to introducing 65 bills per two-year session and Assembly members to 40 bills per session.

Miscellany

Appointment: Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) was appointed as chair of the Assembly on the Legislature of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Moore will serve a one-year term.