December 15, 2005 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA 801 12th Street, Suite 220, Sacramento, CA 95814   (916) 442-9210/ FAX 916-442-7352/lwvc@lwvc.org

BILL NUMBER, AUTHOR, POSITION	DESCRIPTION	ACTION SINCE 6-15-05 and STATUS
HONORING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
ACR 40 Lieber SUPPORT	Recognizes the origins and accomplishments of the League of Women Voters and memorializes the 85th anniversary of the League.	Passed by Senate (33-0). Resolution Chapter 55, Statutes of 2005.
AIR QUALITY
SB 999 Machado SUPPORT for local League action	Expands the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District governing board from 11 to 15 members by increasing representation of Valley cities and adding two public members to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The public members would be district residents, one with expertise in the health effects of air pollution and the other with expertise in air quality science.	Passed by Assembly Local Government Committee (5-2), Assembly Natural Resources Committee (7-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (12-5). On Assembly inactive file.
CAMPAIGN FINANCING
AB 583 Hancock SUPPORT	Establishes the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2005, a voluntary system for public financing of political campaigns for all legislative and statewide elective offices. Candidates who show a broad base of support by collecting a specified number of $5 "qualifying contributions" and agree to spending limits would use only public funds for their campaigns. A Clean Money candidate who is outspent by a nonparticipating opponent or is targeted by independent expenditures can receive additional funding up to a specified maximum.	Testimony heard in Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee; no vote taken.
AB 709 Wolk SUPPORT	Prohibits contributions exceeding $5,600 to a state or local ballot measure committee that is controlled by a candidate for elective state office, during the entire period of time the candidate controls the committee. (The contribution limit is to be adjusted for inflation biennially.) As amended, would be placed on the November 8, 2005 statewide ballot.	Failed passage in Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee (1-3); reconsideration granted.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY ISSUES
AB 1285 Montanez SUPPORT for local League action	Allows Los Angeles County to use funds allocated to improve retention of employees (through training, stipends, and support) in state-subsidized child care centers and family child-care home networks for retention of child care providers in other licensed programs in which a majority of the children receive subsidized services.	Passed by Senate Human Services Committee (6-1), Senate Appropriations Committee (8-5), Senate (26-13). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (51-28). Signed by Governor; Chapter 650, Statutes of 2005.
COASTAL ISSUES
SB 426 Simitian SUPPORT	Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to evaluate and rank every proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal within 90 days. Directs the Governor to disapprove an application for a license to construct and operate an LNG terminal unless the facility is evaluated and ranked as one of the two highest ranked sites and the Governor determines that the technology chosen for the site will minimize adverse public health, safety, and environmental impacts. Requires the State Lands Commission or a grantee to consider any application for a permit to construct and operate an LNG facility on state tide or submerged lands, in accordance with evaluation and rankings.	Failed passage in Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee (5-5); reconsidered and passed (6-5). Passed by Assembly Natural Resources Committee (7-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (12-4), Assembly (41-37). In Senate for concurrence in Assembly amendments.
EDUCATION
ACAX1 4 Keene OPPOSE	See State and Local Finances.
ELECTION SYSTEMS
SB 596 Bowen SUPPORT	Permits any city, county, or district to conduct a local election using ranked voting: i.e., instant runoff voting in an election to elect a single candidate to office (such as the office of mayor or a governing board position elected from a single-member district), or choice voting in an election to elect two or more candidates to office (such as an at-large election with multiple open seats on a governing board). A voting method authorized by this bill could be enacted by a measure placed on the ballot by the governing body or through the initiative process.	Testimony taken in Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee; no vote taken.
ENERGY
SB 107 Simitian SUPPORT	Accelerates the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program timetable to require utilities to provide 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2010 instead of 2017. Requires the Energy Commission to develop tracking, accounting, verification and enforcement mechanisms for renewable energy credits that could be purchased by retail sellers of electricity who cannot meet the RPS. Requires each municipal utility to report annually on the renewable resources used in its portfolio and on progress toward meeting its RPS.	Passed by Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee (7-3), Assembly Natural Resources Committee (7-3), Assembly Appropriations Committee (12-5). On Assembly floor.
SB 426 Simitian SUPPORT	See Coastal Issues.
SB 1059 Escutia SUPPORT	Authorizes the California Energy Commission (CEC) to designate electric "transmission corridor zones," in which high-voltage electric transmission lines may be built in the future. The designation is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act. Requires cities and counties to update their general plans accordingly and to notify the CEC when accepting a development project application within a transmission corridor zone.	In Assembly.
HEALTH CARE
SB 23 Migden SUPPORT	Requires the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) to provide a "Healthy Families/Medi-Cal Workplace Notice" for employers to use to inform their employees about enrollment and eligibility, and to establish a process for employees to pay their family contribution payments through payroll withholding. Requires outreach and marketing activities by the Employment Development Department in coordination with MRMIB and the Department of Health Services.	Passed by Assembly Health Committee (11-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (14-3), Assembly (50-29). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (21-15). Vetoed by Governor.
SB 840 Kuehl SUPPORT	The California Health Insurance Reliability Act (CHIRA). Establishes the California Health Insurance System, administered by an elected commissioner, to provide comprehensive health care coverage to all California residents through a "single payer" system. Persons would choose their health care providers, who would be reimbursed for their services through a consolidated claims, financing, and administrative system. Requires the commissioner to seek waivers, agreements, etc., to merge various federal, state, and local health care funds into the system.	Passed by Assembly Health Committee (9-4). In Assembly Rules Committee awaiting assignment to committee.
HOUSING
SB 832 Perata SUPPORT	See Land Use.
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PROCESS
SB 469 Bowen SUPPORT	Requires an initiative, referendum, or recall petition to contain a printed notice of whether it is being circulated by a paid circulator or a volunteer. Requires a petition circulated by a paid circulator to disclose the five largest cumulative contributors to the committee that pays the circulator, and requires this disclosure to be updated within seven days of any change. Requires a committee that employs paid circulators to file a disclosure statement that is posted on the Secretary of State's Web site.	Passed by Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee (4-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (12-5), Assembly (46-32). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (23-15). Vetoed by Governor.
JUVENILE JUSTICE/DEPENDENCY
SB 609 Romero SUPPORT	As amended, makes legislative findings and declarations about youth correctional facilities, and states legislative intent to transfer California Youth Authority (CYA) parole supervision services from state to local governments. Previously required reform of the CYA by January 2009 according to specific standards for clothing rules, housing size, facility rehabilitation and risk design, ward classification systems, staffing ratios and training requirements, and classroom and other standards; established a process for redesigning the Youth Authority using juvenile justice stakeholders; and required individual reentry plans for parolees.	In Assembly.
LAND USE
SB 832 Perata SUPPORT	Expands the current exemption from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions for infill housing to an exemption, in cities of over 200,000 population, for infill sites of no more than ten acres that have between 200 and 300 units. Maintains existing requirements for density, an affordable housing component, and location near a major transit stop.	Passed by Assembly Natural Resources Committee (6-3), Assembly Appropriations Committee (12-0). On Assembly inactive file.
REDISTRICTING
ACAX1 3 McCarthy SUPPORT IF AMENDED to remove mid-decade redistricting	Amends the California Constitution to require that congressional, state senate, state assembly, and state Board of Equalization district lines be drawn by an independent panel of five retired state or federal judges. To the extent practicable, requires diversity in the pool of judges from which selection is made. Requires an open, transparent redistricting process and establishes prioritized criteria for district boundaries. Requires a mid-decade redistricting--i.e., new district lines would be drawn immediately on passage of the measure by the voters.	In Assembly District Representation Committee; no hearing set. Also referred to Assembly Constitutional Amendments Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
ACAX1 5 Canciamilla and Richman SUPPORT	Similar to SCA 3.	Bill is in print; has not been assigned to a committee.
SCA 3 Lowenthal NO POSITION AT THIS TIME	Amends the California Constitution to require that congressional, state senate, state assembly, and state Board of Equalization district lines be drawn by an independent redistricting commission of seven members appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, the Judicial Council, and the President of the University of California. Requires an open, transparent redistricting process and establishes prioritized criteria for district boundaries. Also amends the Constitution to require every legislator to conduct at least two town hall meetings every year and to prohibit the Senate or the Assembly from beginning a summer recess until the budget bill has been passed.	Passed by Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee (4-1). Held on Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.
REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES
Initiative #1067 SA04RF0030 OPPOSE	Amends the California Constitution to bar an unemancipated minor from having an abortion until 48 hours after the physician notifies the minor's parent or legal guardian, except in a medical emergency or with a parental waiver. Permits judicial waiver of notice based on clear and convincing evidence of the minor's maturity or the minor's best interests. Requires the physician to report abortions performed on minors and the state to compile statistics.	As Proposition 73, failed passage on the November 8, 2005 special election ballot.
SB 644 Ortiz SUPPORT	Requires a pharmacist to fill lawful prescriptions unless one of the following circumstances holds: he/she judges that the medication is unlawful or will have a negative interaction with another drug taken by the patient; the medication is not in stock; or the pharmacist refuses on ethical, moral or religious grounds. If the medication is not in stock, the pharmacist must notify the patient and order the prescription, transfer the prescription to another pharmacy that stocks it and is at a reasonable distance, or return the prescription to the patient and refer him/her to a pharmacy that stocks it and is at a reasonable distance. If the pharmacist refuses to dispense the medication, the employer must set up protocols to ensure the patient timely access to the medication.	Passed by Assembly Business and Professions Committee (8-2), Assembly Health Committee (11-3), Assembly Appropriations Committee (13-5), Assembly (51-28). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (22-14). Signed by Governor; Chapter 417, Statutes of 2005.
STATE AND LOCAL FINANCES
Initiative #1131 SA05RF0067 OPPOSE	"California Live Within Our Means Act" initiative. Proposes an amendment to the California Constitution to make numerous changes in state budgeting and spending processes. Imposes a new state spending limit based on the average rate of growth in revenues over the previous three years. Provides ongoing spending authority at the prior year's levels if a budget is late. Gives the Governor the authority to reduce spending if the budget is late or revenues will be more than 1.5 percent below estimates at the end of any quarter and the legislature does not enact a solution approved by the Governor. Eliminates "Test 3" under which the Proposition 98 school funding guarantee is reduced in a low revenue growth year; reduces the funding level used to calculate subsequent years' funding guarantee when budget cuts are made; ends the provision under which school funding in excess of the guarantee becomes part of the base for calculation of future years' guarantee. Repeals authority to suspend Proposition 42 transfers of the sales tax on gasoline to a Transportation Investment Fund. Prohibits loans from special funds to the General Fund.	As Proposition 76, failed passage on the November 8, 2005 special election ballot.
AB 6 Chan SUPPORT	Reinstates the top state personal income tax rates of 10 percent and 11 percent beginning with tax year 2005, at inflation-adjusted taxable income levels corresponding to those in effect from 1991 through 1995. For 2005-2006, appropriates $2.2 billion in revenues due to the increased tax to K-14 education programs as specified in the bill.	Failed passage on the Assembly floor (46-32, with 54 votes needed). Motion to reconsider made by the author.
AB 168 Ridley-Thomas SUPPORT	Establishes the California Tax Expenditure Accountability Act. Requires the Department of Finance (DOF), as resources are available, to submit a biennial report of estimated revenue losses attributable to certain tax expenditures, based on a dynamic revenue analysis and on reports provided by the Franchise Tax Board and State Board of Equalization. The DOF report shall cover two to ten tax expenditures that cause estimated revenue losses of $25 million or more per year, chosen so that all will be reviewed at least every eight years. Requires the Legislative Analyst's Office to make annual recommendations to the legislature as to which tax expenditures should be modified or repealed.	Passed by Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee (5-2), Senate Appropriations Committee (7-5), Senate (23-15). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (46-32). Vetoed by Governor.
AB 1590 Lieber SUPPORT by local Leagues is authorized	Limits the 2005-2006 shift of property tax revenues from certain special districts to the state. (The 2004-2005 budget agreement called for two years of property tax shifts from local governments to the state.) Affects enterprise special districts (districts that have authority to charge users for their services) that also perform non-enterprise functions.	Held on Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file.
ACAX1 4 Keene OPPOSE	Proposes an amendment to the California Constitution to make numerous changes in state budgeting and spending processes, many of them similar to Proposition 76, which failed passage on the November 2005 ballot. Provides ongoing spending authority at the prior year's levels if a budget is late. Requires across-the-board spending reductions if the budget will be more than $250 million out of balance and the legislature does not enact a solution. Eliminates "Test 3" under which the Proposition 98 school funding guarantee is reduced in a low revenue growth year; prohibits suspension of Proposition 98; reduces the funding level used to calculate subsequent years' funding guarantee when across-the-board cuts are made; ends the provision under which school funding in excess of the guarantee becomes part of the base for calculation of future years' guarantee. Repeals authority to suspend Proposition 42 transfers of the sales tax on gasoline to a Transportation Investment Fund. Prohibits loans from special funds to the General Fund.	In Assembly Budget Process Committee. Also referred to Assembly Constitutional Amendments Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
SB 17 Escutia SUPPORT	Redefines change of ownership of commercial properties to require reassessment if more than 50 percent of the ownership interests change hands in any assessment year. Establishes reporting requirements. Does not apply to publicly traded companies.	On Senate inactive file.
TRANSPORTATION
SB 680 Simitian SUPPORT for local League action	Authorizes the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, by a two-thirds vote of its board, to impose an annual vehicle registration fee of up to $5 on all vehicles registered in Santa Clara County, to fund congestion management projects. The fee would sunset in 2014.	Passed by Assembly Local Government Committee (5-2), Assembly Transportation Committee (7-5), Assembly Appropriations Committee (13-4), Assembly (41-34). Vetoed by Governor.
VOTING RIGHTS
AB 43 Vargas SUPPORT	Requires that, in the event of a recount, provisions of law governing the counting of write-in votes shall be liberally construed to ensure that each ballot is counted if the intent of the voter can be determined, even if the voter has not complied with the voting instructions.	In Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee.
AB 821 Ridley-Thomas SUPPORT	Requires county elections officials to provide voter registration forms and a "Guide to Inmate Voting" to local detention facilities so that those materials are available to inmates who are not yet convicted (awaiting a hearing or sentencing), inmates who are serving a sentence for a traffic offense or misdemeanor conviction or a sentence conditioned on probation, and persons who have completed a sentence for a felony conviction (and are no longer on parole).	Failed passage in Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee (3-2, with 4 votes needed); reconsideration granted.
AB 867 Liu SUPPORT	Authorizes seven specified counties to participate in a pilot project in which all elections in the county would be held entirely by mail until 1-1-2011. Requires participating counties to report to the legislature on the effectiveness of the pilot project.	Held on Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file.
ACA 17 Mullin SUPPORT	Amends the California Constitution to allow an individual who will be 18 years old on the date of the next general election to register and to vote in any intervening primary or special election if he or she is at least 17 years old and meets all other eligibility requirements.	Passed by Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee (4-1), Assembly Appropriations Committee (13-4). On Assembly floor.
SB 191 Cedillo SUPPORT	Requires the Trustees of the California State University and the governing boards of the California Community Colleges, and urges the Regents of the University of California, to make voter registration available via the Internet using an automated program that allows registering students to receive a preprinted registration card, or to distribute voter registration forms when issuing student ID cards on campus and by delivery to students in their first term. Requires the Secretary of State to contact vendors of higher-education integrated information technology systems to assist in their development of the needed additional software.	Passed by Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee (4-2), Assembly Higher Education Committee (6-1). Held on Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file.
SB 316 Margett SUPPORT	Requires state agencies to include a notice in any document mailed by the agency offering the opportunity to register to vote in accord with the National Voter Registration (Motor Voter) Act. The notice will state that persons should contact their local elections officials or the Secretary of State if they have not received voter registration information within 30 days. Takes effect 7-1-06 for the Department of Motor Vehicles and 7-1-07 for other agencies.	Passed by Assembly Transportation Committee (12-0), Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee (6-0), Assembly Appropriations Committee (17-0), Assembly (77-1). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (38-0). Signed by Governor; Chapter 660, Statutes of 2005.
SB 1050 Bowen SUPPORT	Addresses the issue of when a vote for a qualified write-in candidate shall be counted if the candidate's name is written in the space provided but the voting space ("bubble") next to the write-in space has not been marked. At the request of a write-in candidate, a hand tally of ballots would be required if the sum of the votes cast for that candidate plus the total "under-votes" is at least equal to the number of votes cast for the candidate with the greatest number of votes (or to the number of votes needed to be elected, in the case of an office for which a voter may vote for more than one candidate).	Passed by Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee (4-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (13-4), Assembly (44-35). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (23-15). Vetoed by Governor.
WATER
AB 802 Wolk SUPPORT	Requires that a city or county general plan consider and include flood management in the conservation element. Factors to be considered by the local planning agency include coordination with the land use element and possible means of using flood water to supplement the existing water supply.	On Assembly inactive file.
AB 1168 Saldana SUPPORT	Requires that when the Department of Health Services reviews an application for an operating permit for a desalination project, it must identify potential contaminants and sources of contamination and ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment processes.	Passed by Senate Health Committee (7-3), Senate Environmental Quality Committee (5-2), Senate Appropriations Committee (8-5), Senate (23-12). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (53-25). Vetoed by Governor.
AB 1590 Lieber SUPPORT by local Leagues is authorized	See State and Local Finances.
SB 820 Kuehl SUPPORT	Establishes requirements for reporting annual use of groundwater and surface water and establishes consequences for failing to file required reports. Requires the California Water Plan to discuss energy produced and required by each water management strategy. Adds additional requirements on various water resources planning processes (urban, groundwater, and agricultural water management plans).	Passed by Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee (8-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (12-4), Assembly (49-27). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (21-16). Vetoed by Governor.
SB 866 Kehoe SUPPORT	Requires the Department of Water Resources, in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Health Services, to develop and implement a coordinated water use reporting database, and to make various progress reports to the legislature. Requires reporting of farm-gate deliveries and surface water diversions by 2010.	In Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

Note: Bills introduced in the 2005-06 First Extraordinary Session are identified by the presence of "X1" in the bill number, as for example ACAX1 3.