Credit Life Insurance Control Returned to Commissioner

Gov. Pete Wilson has signed a bill that overturns a state law passed in connection with an act of admitted bribery by former state Sen. Alan Robbins.

The measure (AB 2107) by Assemblyman Lloyd G. Connelly (D-Sacramento) restores the authority of the state insurance commissioner to regulate rates charged by credit life insurance companies.

Robbins, former chairman of the Senate Insurance, Claims and Corporations Committee, admitted taking a $12,000 bribe for his work in behalf of a bill to transfer the regulatory power to the Legislature.

He is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to racketeering and income tax charges.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Fish and Wildlife: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 43-29 vote a bill (AB 3145) by Assemblyman Robert J. Campbell (D-Richmond) to change the name of the state Department of Fish and Game to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Committee Action

AIDS Needle Project: The Ways and Means Committee approved a bill (AB 2525) by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) to authorize a pilot needle and syringe exchange project in San Francisco and other communities to try to prevent the spread of the AIDS virus. A 12-9 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

Term Limits: The Elections and Reapportionment Committee rejected a bill (AB 2324) by Assemblyman Dean Andal (R-Stockton) to allow local elected officials to vote on imposing limits of two four-year terms on themselves. It would have applied to mayors, city councils, county boards of supervisors and governing boards of school districts and special districts. A 4-7 vote was cast on the bill with 10 yes votes needed for approval.

More Term Limits: The Elections Committee also rejected a bill (AB 23425) by Andal to prohibit the state insurance commissioner from serving more than two four-year terms in office. A 7-10 vote was cast on this measure.

Still More Term Limits: The Elections Committee also rejected a resolution (AJR 56) by Andal asking Congress to propose a U.S. constitutional amendment providing for a 12-year lifetime limit on individual elective service in the Senate and House. A 4-8 vote was cast on this legislation.

Prisoner Release: The Public Safety Committee approved a bill (AB 2306) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to make it more difficult for rapists and murderers to get out of prison early by prohibiting them from using work-time credits to reduce their sentences by as much as 50%. A 4-0 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

SENATE

Committee Action

Open Meetings: The Local Government Committee approved a bill (SB 1538) by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) to strengthen the 40-year-old state law requiring open meetings of city councils, county boards of supervisors, school boards and other local agencies. A 5-0 vote sent the bill to the Rules Committee.

Beach Pollution: The Agriculture and Water Resources Committee approved a bill (SB 1865) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to develop uniform beach testing and closure standards for all state beaches whenever there is a serious pollution danger. An 8-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

State Salaries: The Governmental Organization Committee rejected a bill (SB 1411) by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) to limit the amount of salary paid to chairpersons and members of state boards and commissions to the $52,500 paid to rank-and-file state legislators. The bill received a 2-4 vote with six yes votes required for approval.

AIDS Needle Project: The Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill (SB 1418) by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) to authorize a pilot needle and syringe exchange project in San Francisco--and other communities if they so choose--to try to prevent the spread of the AIDS virus. A 6-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Capital Fact

A record-high 905 candidates for partisan political office appear on the certified list of candidates on the June 2 primary election ballot, according to the secretary of state’s office. The previous record was 704 candidates for the 1982 primary election.