School Bus Crime Bill Passes, Goes to Wilson for Signature

A bill making it a misdemeanor to enter a school bus with the intent of committing a crime has been unanimously approved by the Assembly.

A 64-0 vote sent the measure (SB 83) by state Sen. Jack O’Connell (D-Santa Barbara) to Gov. Pete Wilson for his expected signature.

O’Connell said there have been instances of unauthorized people boarding school buses to assault students, to sell drugs and to make threats.

GOVERNOR

Bills Signed

* Traffic Tickets: SB 170 by state Sen. Bill Leonard (R-San Bernardino) makes it a misdemeanor for a motorist to flee from a police officer on a bicycle who is attempting to write a traffic ticket.

* Sexual Offenders: AB 173 by Assemblyman Michael J. Machado (D-Linden) requires those convicted of kidnaping with intent to commit a sex crime to register with local police when they are released from custody.

* Public Safety: AB 67 by Assemblywoman Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey) provides that public safety be considered when determining whether a person should be released from jail on his or her own recognizance if arrested on a misdemeanor charge.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* Veterans Homes: Passed and sent to the state Senate on a 62-9 vote a bill (AB 940) by Assemblyman William J. (Pete) Knight (R-Palmdale) authorizing up to $36 million in bonds to help build three new state veterans homes.

* School Principals: Passed and returned to the state Senate for concurrence in Assembly amendments on a 57-3 vote a bill (SB 232) by state Sen. Teresa Hughes (D-Inglewood) making it an infraction punishable by a $500 fine for a school principal to fail to report to police a violent or drug offense by a student.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Domestic Violence: Rejected on 14-20 vote a bill (AB 231) by Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (R-Santa Monica) authorizing the state Board of Prison Terms to review instances of domestic violence in considering women inmates for pardons or sentence commutations. Reconsideration requested.

Committee Action

* State Budget: The Appropriations Committee approved a constitutional amendment (SCA 2) by state Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) allowing the state budget to be passed by a simple majority instead of a two-thirds majority. It also would require legislators to forfeit their pay if they fail to pass a budget on time. A 7-3 vote sent the measure to the Senate floor.

* Prostitutes and Drug Dealers: The Criminal Procedure Committee approved a bill (AB 1035) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) allowing police to arrest those who loiter with the intent of engaging in prostitution or drug sales. A 5-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

* Child Pornography: The Criminal Procedure Committee approved a bill (AB 1881) by Assemblyman Michael J. Machado elevating all crimes involving child pornography to felonies. A 4-2 vote sent the measure to the Judiciary Committee.

(Readers who wish to communicate with legislators regarding Assembly and Senate bills can write to them at the State Capitol Building, Sacramento, Calif. 95814.)