This is the final Bill Status Report of the 2003-2004 legislative session. Governor's actions on bills are printed in bold.

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BILL NUMBER, AUTHOR, POSITION	DESCRIPTION	ACTION SUMMARY/STATUS
STATE BUDGET
	The League strongly supported an increase in state government revenues to achieve an equitable 2004-2005 budget, avoid severe cuts in public health, social services, local programs and education, and reduce the structural budget deficit that will affect future years. The LWVC supported the $80 million for community college equalization funding in the Governor's budget proposal.	The final budget contains no broad-based tax increases. It was balanced by means of program savings (including suspension of Proposition 98 to allow $2 billion less than the minimum guarantee for K-14 education), use of bonds and other borrowing, fund shifts and transfers, targeted tax increases, and diversion of $1.3 billion in local property tax. The $80 million equalization funding was included for community colleges.
AIR QUALITY
AB 471 Simitian SUPPORT	Prohibits cruise ships from incinerating wastes onboard within three miles of the California coast.	Passed by Assembly (43-34), Senate (22-11). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (52-27). Signed by Governor; Chapter 706, Statutes of 2004.
CAMPAIGN FINANCING
AB 2949 Hancock SUPPORT	Establishes the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2004, 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.	Held on Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file.
SB 1730 Johnson SUPPORT	Changes the date of the statewide primary election and the presidential primary election from March to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June.	Passed by Senate (38-0), Assembly (76-2). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (34-0). Signed by Governor; Chapter 817, Statutes of 2004.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY ISSUES
AB 1858 Steinberg SUPPORT	Establishes new requirements to be met by nonpublic schools which provide special education to foster youth who live in licensed children's institutions and foster family homes.	Passed by Assembly (47-29), Senate (24-12). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (51-27). Signed by Governor; Chapter 914, Statutes of 2004.
SB 1178 Kuehl SUPPORT	Requires child welfare agencies to attempt to keep teen parents in foster care and their children together as a unit, and to provide them with services designed to strengthen the parent-child bond and the minor parent's ability to provide a permanent and safe home for the child. Encourages collection of data, including information to be used to develop a more cost-effective rate structure to reimburse caregivers for the costs of infant care and teen parent mentoring.	Passed by Senate (33-1), Assembly (58-21). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (34-0). Signed by Governor; Chapter 841, Statutes of 2004.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
SB 1875 Alpert Support	Requires the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to develop a plan each year for allocation of the equalization funds appropriated in the annual Budget Act. These funds, for equalization of funding received by districts per full time equivalent student (FTES), will be allocated after the plan is reviewed by legislative budget chairs and approved by the Department of Finance.	Passed by Senate Education Committee (10-0), Senate Appropriations Committee (12-0), Senate (37-0), Assembly Higher Education Committee (5-0). In Assembly Appropriations Committee.
EDUCATION
AB 356 Hancock SUPPORT	Revises the state testing program: changes the Certificated Staff Performance Incentive Rewards program and the Governor's Performance Award Program to be only nonmonetary awards; repeals standardized testing in grade 2, effective 7-1-05, and provides for diagnostic assessment in that grade; and delays until 2005-06 the requirement of passing the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) for high school graduation. Authorizes school districts to use CAHSEE results as part of their local graduation requirements until 2005-06.	Passed by Assembly (44-32). Passed by Senate (22-14), but that action rescinded. Failed passage in Senate (17-14, with 21 votes needed). Reconsideration granted.
AB 1012 Steinberg SUPPORT	See Juvenile Justice/Dependency.
AB 1944 Hancock SUPPORT	Provides that a pupil enrolled in a history or social science course who is serving as a pollworker is considered to be under the supervision of a teacher, for the purpose of computing average daily attendance to generate state apportionment payments.	Passed by Assembly (53-27), Senate (21-14). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (54-24). Vetoed by Governor.
ACA 4 Simitian SUPPORT	See State and Local Finances.
SB 1419 Vasconcellos SUPPORT	Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop an Opportunity for Teaching and Learning (OTL) index using factors that would include how many of a school's teachers are fully credentialed and how long they have been teaching; the degree to which teachers of English learners hold appropriate credentials; the availability of adequate and appropriate instructional materials; the physical condition of school facilities and whether the school is overcrowded; the availability of postsecondary preparatory, vocational, and honors courses; and the availability of counseling, academic advising, and support from librarians, nurses, etc. Requires the Superintendent, beginning in 2006, to publish the OTL index along with the Academic Performance Index for each school. Will be implemented only if funds are appropriated.	Passed by Senate (25-11), Assembly (48-28). Vetoed by Governor.
ENERGY
AB 2473 Wolk SUPPORT	Requires cities and counties to permit the installation of a solar energy system by right if the system meets specified requirements. Defines what constitutes a "significant" increase in cost or decrease in efficiency in regard to restrictions that may be placed on solar water heating systems or photovoltaic systems.	Passed by Assembly (77-0), Senate (30-2). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (78-0). Signed by Governor; Chapter 789, Statutes of 2004.
SB 1478 Sher SUPPORT	Advances the deadline for investor-owned utilities to achieve a 20 percent portfolio of renewable energy resources from 12-31-2017 to 12-31-2010 and makes other changes in California renewable energy programs.	Passed by Senate (26-8), Assembly (55-24). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (22-10). Vetoed by Governor.
GOVERNMENT
SB 1529 McPherson OPPOSE	Deletes the provisions of law that established the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.	Passed by Senate (24-4). Failed passage in Assembly Local Government Committee (4-2, with 5 votes needed).
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
AB 1006 SUPPORT Chu	Defines "most highly toxic pesticides" and prohibits their use on public school property. If a school district has an integrated pest management program, permits the use of a most highly toxic pesticide if it is the lowest risk method available in an emergency condition.	Passed by Assembly (42-28). In Senate Agriculture & Water Resources Committee.
SB 493 Cedillo SUPPORT DROPPED	Amended to cover different topic. Formerly granted immunity from liability for the costs of cleanup of hazardous materials to new or prospective owners of urban property who did not cause or contribute to the contamination of the property.
HEALTH CARE
AB 232 Chan SUPPORT	Requires all hospitals to develop and give notice of their policy for determining prices to be paid by self-pay patients, and requires the policy to include a section addressing charity care patients. Limits charges for low-income patients. Restricts the type of collection activities allowed during the first 180 days after discharge.	Passed by Assembly (44-26). Failed passage in Senate (19-18, with 21 needed); on reconsideration, again failed passage (20-19).
AB 1957 Frommer SUPPORT	Requires the Department of General Services to coordinate a review of potential savings by state agencies if prescription drugs are purchased from Canadian sources; authorizes pilot purchasing programs. Requires the Department of Health Services to establish the California Rx program, including a Web site, to provide information about options for obtaining drugs at affordable prices, including from Canadian pharmacies.	Passed by Assembly (51-23), Senate (22-13). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (46-29). Vetoed by Governor.
AB 1958 Frommer SUPPORT	Allows the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to participate in a prescription drug purchasing consortium with other private or public entities, including group, individual, or institutional participants.	Passed by Assembly (56-21), Senate (22-14). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (57-22). Vetoed by Governor.
SB 2 Burton/Speier SUPPORT	Requires all employers of 50 or more workers to provide health benefits to their employees or pay a user fee to the state, which would use the pooled fees to purchase coverage for the employees. Requires employers of 200 or more workers to provide coverage for employees and their families or pay into the statewide buying pool.	Signed by Governor Davis (Chapter 673, Statutes of 2003). Proposition 72, a referendum on this measure, is on the November 2, 2004 ballot.
SB 921 Kuehl SUPPORT	Establishes the California Health Care 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 federal waivers to merge all federal health care funds and any required state matching funds into the system.	Passed by Senate (23-14), Assembly Health Committee (12-5). In Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 1144 Burton SUPPORT	Authorizes the Department of General Services (DGS) to enter into contracts with Canadian sources for its bulk prescription drug purchasing program used by several state agencies. Requires the contracts to include safeguards and oversight and regulatory requirements that comply with federal drug safety and efficacy standards. Requires the DGS to seek appropriate federal waivers and to report on estimated costs and savings.	Passed by Senate (23-12), Assembly (51-25). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (22-14). Vetoed by Governor.
SB 1333 Perata SUPPORT	Allows the Department of Health Services to reimburse pharmacies for drugs purchased in Canada and dispensed to Medi-Cal and AIDS Drug Assistance Program beneficiaries. Specifies requirements for Canadian pharmacies involved. Takes effect only to the extent that federal financial participation is available.	Passed by Senate (24-9), Assembly (43-31). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (22-10). Vetoed by Governor.
HOUSING
AB 2158 Lowenthal SUPPORT	Revises the process for allocating shares of the regional housing need to cities, counties, and subregions for all income levels. Implements consensus-based changes proposed by the Housing Element Work Group	Passed by Assembly (80-0), Senate (38-0). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (79-0). Signed by Governor; Chapter 696, Statutes of 2004.
AB 2702 Steinberg SUPPORT	Limits local governments' ability to deny or place restrictions on the development of second housing units. Establishes more detailed standards for local second-unit ordinances and specifies what densities are to be allowed on school sites when housing and schools are built on the same site.	Passed by Assembly (50-21), Senate (27-8). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (50-22). Vetoed by Governor.
JUVENILE JUSTICE/DEPENDENCY
AB 1012 Steinberg SUPPORT	Requires an elementary school principal to take immediate steps, before making a pupil available to a peace officer for questioning on campus, to obtain the consent of a parent or guardian of the pupil and to allow the parent to be present during questioning. Requires that, before making a high school pupil under 18 available for questioning by a peace officer, the pupil be informed that he or she has the right to request that a parent or member of the school staff be present. Makes exceptions, such as for circumstances requiring immediate questioning.	Passed by Assembly (49-19), Senate (25-9). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (49-28). Vetoed by Governor.
AB 1858 Steinberg SUPPORT	See Children and Family Issues.
SB 1178 Kuehl SUPPORT	See Children and Family Issues.
LAND USE
SCA 2 Torlakson SUPPORT	See State and Local Finances.
OPEN GOVERNMENT
SCA 1 Burton/ McPherson SUPPORT	Amends the California Constitution to provide that the people have a right of access to meetings of public bodies and writings of public officials and agencies. Requires that statutes, court rules, and other authorities shall be broadly construed when they advance public access and narrowly construed if they limit access. A future statute, court rule or other authority adopted after passage of this measure that limits the right of access must include findings clarifying its purpose and necessity. Makes exceptions for confidentiality of law enforcement and prosecution records, personal privacy, and certain confidential legislative proceedings and records.	Passed by Senate (34-0), Assembly (78-0). Proposition 59 on November 2, 2004 ballot.
SJR 22 Burton SUPPORT	Urges the California congressional delegation to work to repeal any provision of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act that limits or impinges on the rights and liberties protected by the Constitution and to oppose any pending or future federal legislation to the extent that it would infringe on Americans' civil rights and liberties.	Introduced; in Senate Rules Committee.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
SB 1161 Alpert SUPPORT	Places the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2006, a $600 million general obligation bond act, before the voters at the 2006 statewide primary election.	Passed by Senate (28-6), Assembly (57-15). Senate concurred in Assembly amendments (28-9). Signed by Governor; Chapter 698, Statutes of 2004.
STATE AND LOCAL FINANCES
AB 990 Ridley-Thomas SUPPORT DROPPED	Amended to cover different topic. Formerly required the Department of Finance to submit to the legislature an annual report on income, corporate, and sales tax expenditures, intended for consideration during the budget process.
AB 1815 Chan and Dutra SUPPORT	Reinstates the top state personal income tax rates of 10% and 11% for tax years 2004 through 2009, at inflation-adjusted taxable income levels corresponding to those in effect from 1991 through 1995.	Passed by Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee (4-2). In Assembly Appropriations Committee.
AB 2106 Ridley-Thomas SUPPORT	Establishes the California Tax Expenditure Accountability Act. Revises the scope and content of annual reports on income, corporate, and sales tax expenditures that the Department of Finance, with assistance from the Franchise Tax Board and the State Board of Equalization, is required to submit to the legislature.	Passed by Assembly (47-32), Senate (22-14). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (47-31). Vetoed by Governor.
ACA 1 Longville SUPPORT	Amends the California Constitution to allow the budget bill and implementing (trailer) bills to be passed by a simple majority vote in each house of the legislature rather than by the two-thirds vote currently required. Requires that if a budget has not been passed by July 1 of any year, legislators will forfeit their salary and expenses from July 1 until the budget is passed.	Referred to Assembly Budget, Rules, and Elections, Redistricting and Constitutional Amendments Committees.
ACA 4 Simitian SUPPORT	Amends the California Constitution to allow a school district, community college district, or county office of education to impose a parcel tax on real property upon a 55 percent vote of the people rather than the currently required two-thirds vote.	Passed by Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee (4-2), Assembly Elections, Redistricting and Constitutional Amendments Committee (4-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (17-7). Failed passage in Assembly (43-35, with 54 votes needed).
ACA 14 Steinberg SUPPORT	Amends the California Constitution to allow a local government to impose a transactions and use tax to fund local infrastructure upon the approval of 55 percent of the voters rather than the current two-thirds vote requirement. Requires an infrastructure plan developed with citizen input and specifies the division of revenues among general infrastructure, land conservation, low-income housing, and neighborhood improvement projects.	Passed by Assembly Local Government Committee (6-3), Assembly Elections, Redistricting and Constitutional Amendments Committee (4-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (17-7). On Assembly inactive file.
ACA 16 Hancock SUPPORT	Amends Article XIIIA of the California Constitution to require that, beginning in 2005-06, nonresidential property that is not used for commercial agricultural production be assessed at fair market value annually.	In Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee.
SB 17 Escutia SUPPORT	Strengthens the procedures and requirements for reporting change of ownership or control of legal entities such as corporations and partnerships, in order to help ensure that real property is reassessed at fair market value after such a change.	Passed by Senate (23-14), Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee (4-2), Assembly Appropriations Committee (16-8). Failed passage in Assembly (32-39). Reconsideration granted.
SCA 2 Torlakson SUPPORT	Amends the California Constitution to allow a county, a city, a local transportation authority or a regional transportation agency to impose a sales or special tax exclusively for transportation and smart growth planning purposes upon the approval of a majority of the voters, rather than the current 2/3 vote requirement. Requires at least 25% of the revenues from such a tax to be used for funding smart growth planning.	Passed by Senate Transportation Committee (8-3), Senate Constitutional Amendments Committee (3-2). Re-referred to Senate Constitutional Amendments Committee.
SCA 11 Alarcon SUPPORT	Amends the California Constitution to allow a county, a city or special district to impose certain transaction and use taxes and to incur debt by issuing general obligation bonds exclusively for infrastructure projects, including affordable housing, transportation enhancements, open space and other infrastructure, upon the approval of 55% of the voters, rather than the current 2/3 vote requirement. Requires that no more than 5% of the proceeds may be used to pay for administrative costs.	Passed by Senate Local Government Committee (4-3), Senate Constitutional Amendments Committee (3-1). On Senate inactive file.
TRANSPORTATION
AB 204 Nation SUPPORT for action by LWV Bay Area.	Authorizes a motor vehicle license fee of up to $6 in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area to fund projects that mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of motor vehicles and motor vehicle facilities on water quality, water-related habitat, and watersheds within the Bay Area. Fees are imposed in Bay Area counties that elect to participate, but only after at least three counties so elect. A similar bill (AB 104, Nation) was vetoed in 2001.	Passed by Assembly (41-33), Senate Natural Resources and Wildlife Committee (5-3). In Senate Transportation Committee.
ACA 14 Steinberg SUPPORT	See State and Local Finances.
SCA 2 Torlakson SUPPORT	See State and Local Finances.
SCA 11 Alarcon SUPPORT	See State and Local Finances.
VOTING RIGHTS
AB 1944 Hancock SUPPORT	See Education.
ACA 25 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.	Failed passage in Assembly Elections, Redistricting and Constitutional Amendments Committee (3-2, with 4 votes needed to pass). Reconsidered and passed (5-2). Passed by Assembly Appropriations Committee (15-6). Failed passage in Assembly (46-32, with 54 votes needed). Reconsideration granted. On Assembly inactive file.
SB 1282 Morrow OPPOSE	Requires a voter to present proof of identity and residency to a precinct official before receiving a ballot at a polling place. Permits a voter who is unable to present such proof to cast a provisional ballot. Makes legislative findings that current voting procedures are insufficient to ensure against voting fraud.	Failed passage in Senate Elections and Reapportionment Committee (2-3). Reconsideration granted.
SB 1370 Oller OPPOSE	Requires a voter to present proof of identity to a precinct official before receiving a ballot at a polling place. Permits a voter who is unable to present such proof to cast a provisional ballot that would be counted only if the voter presented proof of identity to a county elections official within five business days.	Failed passage in Senate Elections and Reapportionment Committee (2-3). Reconsideration granted.
WATER
AB 204 Nation SUPPORT	See Transportation.
AB 2298 Plescia SUPPORT	Establishes a schedule for phasing in installation of water meters to measure the volume of water used to irrigate large urban (nonresidential) landscapes. Requires use of meters for billing purposes by 2007 for new landscapes of at least 10,000 square feet in area and requires meters for areas of one acre or more by 2012.	Passed by Assembly (52-17). In Senate Agriculture and Water Resources Committee.
AB 2470 Kehoe SUPPORT	Authorizes public water agencies to undertake water conservation and public education programs using an information booklet or materials in connection with the use or transfer of real estate containing up to four residential units. States legislative intent to review the program by 12-31-2007.	Passed by Assembly (71-0), Senate (31-0). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (78-0). Signed by Governor; Chapter 111, Statutes of 2004.
AB 2572 Kehoe SUPPORT	Requires all urban water suppliers to install water meters by 2025 and, by 2010, to bill based on volume of water measured by meters that have been installed. This bill phases in water meters in Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe and other areas which have never had them.	Passed by Assembly (61-17), Senate (23-11). Assembly concurred in Senate amendments (57-18). Signed by Governor; Chapter 884, Statutes of 2004.
SB 318 Alpert SUPPORT	Adds to the requirements for an Urban Water Management Plan adopted by an urban water supplier by requiring the plan to describe the opportunities for development of desalinated water, including, but not limited to, ocean water, brackish water, and groundwater, as a long-term supply.	Passed by Senate (39-0), Assembly (76-2). Signed by Governor; Chapter 688, Statutes of 2004.