Modbee.com

Last Updated: September 7, 2006, 05:50:49 AM PDT

State lawmakers approved hundreds of bills in the frantic final days of the 2006 legislative session, which ended last week. Many escaped much attention because of the shadow cast by other measures, such as a landmark bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions.

Many lower-profile bills, meanwhile, deserve the governor's signature. Here are a dozen that stand out:

Special election: Assembly Bill 1634, by Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, would reimburse counties $39 million for the costs of November's special election called by Gov. Schwarzenegger. Stanislaus County would recoup about $220,000; Merced County, $340,000; and San Joaquin County, $790,000.

Hunger: AB 2384, by Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, would require the Department of Health Services to set up pilot programs in seven counties to help small grocers in low-income neighborhoods to increase their offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables to consumers. Additionally, the bill will give food stamp recipients a rebate on fresh produce purchases. This is one of three bills being promoted by the California Hunger Action Coalition. The others are AB2205 and AB 569.

Tenants: AB 1169, by Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, would require that evicted tenants be given 60 days' notice, double the current requirement, when the eviction is not the tenant's fault. The bill responds to situations in which tenants are evicted as apartment owners convert units to condos.

Higher education: AB 2813, by Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate, broadens access to the Cal Grant Community College Transfer Entitlement Program by raising the age of eligibility from 24 to 27. This is one of three key bills to improve access to college. The others are Senate Bill 1563 and AB 358.

Egg donors: Senate Bill 1260, by Sens. George Runner, R-Antelope Valley, and Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, would ensure that women donating eggs for stem cell research are fully informed of the potential risks and provide consent before taking ovarian stimulation drugs.

Initiatives: SB 1598, by Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Redondo Beach, would require initiative campaigners to list their five largest contributors on any petitions seeking signatures.

Teachers: SB 1655, by Sen. Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, would give school principals more authority to choose teachers who want to transfer to the state's lowest-performing schools.

Street racing: AB 2190, by Assemblyman John Benoit, R-Palm Desert, would increase penalties for illegal street racing, a big problem in the valley.

Conservators: AB 1363 by Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, would require court investigators to double the number of visits they make to dependent adults while checking on their welfare. It is one of several bills passed to regulate conservators and protect vulnerable seniors.

Foster care: AB 2216 by Assemblywoman Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, would create better coordination among state and local agencies that care for abused and neglected children. It was the key part of a package that, unfortunately, was only partly successful this year.

Identity theft: AB 2886, supported by Sen. Chuck Poochigian, R-Fresno, would increase the potential charges for possession or trafficking in stolen identities. The bill also expands the list of identifying information protected and authorizes local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute mail theft.

Hydrogen: SB 1505, by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, sets environmental standards for how California will develop hydrogen fueling stations that are part of the governor's "hydrogen highway." The standards encourage hydrogen made from renewable fuels and other sources that minimize air pollution.

Posted on 09/07/06 00:00:00

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