September 25, 2006 - Governor signs 5 Inland bills

Governor signs 5 Inland bills

September 25, 2006

News Article/PE

POLITICS: The legislation concerns street racing, cockfighting, corpses, bribery and dental care.
The Press-Enterprise

Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed several bills by Inland lawmakers in the last few days. All but one will take effect Jan. 1.

Illegal street racing. The legislation by Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes, would increase penalties for reckless driving and street racing.

Currently, someone who causes great bodily injury while street racing can be charged with a felony only if they have earlier convictions for reckless driving or driving under the influence.

Benoit's bill will let prosecutors file felony charges against first-time street racers who cause great bodily injury.

Cockfighting. The bill by state Sen. Nell Soto, D-Pomona, would toughen penalties for people who already have a cockfighting conviction.

Under state law, a person convicted a second time of possessing or training game birds to fight faces a year in jail and a $25,000 fine. Supporters of the bill said that hasn't been enough to deter people.

Soto's legislation would let prosecutors file felony charges against second-time offenders. They still would face a $25,000 fine.

Transporting human remains. The measure by Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands, would let people transport a corpse to an out-of-state mortuary without a death certificate in certain circumstances.

The measure follows concerns by San Bernardino County about the expense of bringing a body from the county's eastern reaches to a faraway county mortuary when there are much closer mortuaries just across the Colorado River in Arizona.

In a signing message, Schwarzenegger said he will encourage neighboring states to cooperate on the issue.

Bribing officials. The bill by state Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta, would make local officials subject to the same bribery laws as state legislators. It takes effect immediately.

Members of city councils, county supervisors, school trustees and other local leaders convicted of bribery will face up to four years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

The bill stemmed from a dispute involving Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson and city officials.

Battin accused Wilson, a political opponent, of attempting to bribe local officials after reports that he promised favorable treatment on future annexation requests in return for their ratifying the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Plan.

Wilson denied any wrongdoing.

Oral health. The bill by Assemblyman Emmerson, will require dental-assessments for children in kindergarten or the first grade.

Schools will be required to tell parents and guardians about the program. They also will have to report the results to county health departments.

Supporters say the bill will help officials identify areas where dental care is a problem and develop solutions.

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Governor signs 5 Inland bills


September 25, 2006 News Article/PE POLITICS: The legislation concerns street racing, cockfighting, corpses, bribery and dental care. The Press-Enterprise Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed several bills by Inland lawmakers in the last few days. All but one will take effect Jan. 1. Illegal street racing. The legislation by Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes, would increase penalties for reckless driving and street racing. Currently, someone who causes great bodily injury while street racing can be charged with a felony only if they have earlier convictions for reckless driving or driving under the influence. Benoit's bill will let prosecutors file felony charges against first-time street racers who cause great bodily injury. Cockfighting. The bill by state Sen. Nell Soto, D-Pomona, would toughen penalties for people who already have a cockfighting conviction. Under state law, a person convicted a second time of possessing or training game birds to fight faces a year in jail and a $25,000 fine. Supporters of the bill said that hasn't been enough to deter people. Soto's legislation would let prosecutors file felony charges against second-time offenders. They still would face a $25,000 fine. Transporting human remains. The measure by Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands, would let people transport a corpse to an out-of-state mortuary without a death certificate in certain circumstances. The measure follows concerns by San Bernardino County about the expense of bringing a body from the county's eastern reaches to a faraway county mortuary when there are much closer mortuaries just across the Colorado River in Arizona. In a signing message, Schwarzenegger said he will encourage neighboring states to cooperate on the issue. Bribing officials. The bill by state Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta, would make local officials subject to the same bribery laws as state legislators. It takes effect immediately. Members of city councils, county supervisors, school trustees and other local leaders convicted of bribery will face up to four years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. The bill stemmed from a dispute involving Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson and city officials. Battin accused Wilson, a political opponent, of attempting to bribe local officials after reports that he promised favorable treatment on future annexation requests in return for their ratifying the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Plan. Wilson denied any wrongdoing. Oral health. The bill by Assemblyman Emmerson, will require dental-assessments for children in kindergarten or the first grade. Schools will be required to tell parents and guardians about the program. They also will have to report the results to county health departments. Supporters say the bill will help officials identify areas where dental care is a problem and develop solutions.
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