2003 Cal-bred News

Bob Fox Legislative Analysis

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 31, 2003) -- The Senate and Assembly have finally approved a budget. The Senate passed it on Sunday evening and the Assembly finally approved it on Tuesday morning after a 27-hour marathon session. The roll call for both houses has been posted on the CTBA website and members are encouraged to see how their Senator and Assembly member voted.

It is expected that the Governor will sign the budget on Saturday after his staff reviews the actual document. There may be some items vetoed, however it is unlikely that there will be any significant reductions.

The Legislature is now on its "summer break" and will return on August 18. It will remain in session until September 12. The Governor will have until October 12 to sign or veto bills. One of the questions that is being considered is "what happens to the bills that may be on the Governor's desk after October 7, if Governor Davis is recalled?"

Other legal issues are sure to be raised in connection with the recall election, including whether or not Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante automatically assumes the Governorship if Davis is recalled.

When the Legislature returns, worker's compensation will be one of the issues at the top of its priority list. A conference committee has been named and will begin holding hearings as soon as can be
scheduled. There will be two Democrats and one Republican from each house and the conferees are, from the Senate, Senators Burton, Alarcon, and Poochigian, and from the Assembly, Assemblymen Vargas, Nunez and Maddox.

A list of the Workers' Comp bills that have been referred to the Conference Committee so far, is posted on the Legislative page of the CTBA website. Others could be added and CTBA will be monitoring the hearings and providing input to the committee.

Action has been taken on a number of other bills of interest to CTBA.

AB 924, by Assemblyman Maldonado which increases the penalties for trespassing from $10 to $75 and includes a $250 fine for the second offense on the same property, was signed by the Governor.

SB 707 and SB 700, are both authored by Senator Dean Florez and opposed by most agricultural organizations, including the CTBA. The bills both deal with air quality and would impose restrictions on many farming operations that would severely restrict the ability to continue to operate. These bills will be heard in Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 900, the bill that will permit breeders awards on selected out of State races is on the third reading file in the Senate and has not had any no votes. It is expected to pass and be sent to the Governor for his signature.

Other bills that CTBA is monitoring or lobbying, including the workers' comp bills are posted on the CTBA website and members are encouraged to review them and to provide input to CTBA staff.