Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Los Angeles Times - September 7, 2007
Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com
The condom bill, was vetoed by the governor last year. But supporters say they hope they have addressed the administration's concerns and are hopeful of a different outcome this year.
On a day when the Senate acted on 100 bills, one of the most heated debates occurred over requiring semiautomatic pistols to be equipped with technology that stamps a traceable code on bullet casings when fired.
The bill's author, Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), said the stamp would allow detectives to more easily develop leads when investigating shootings. About 45% of the 2,000 homicides in the state last year went unsolved, he said.
"This bill is about catching criminals and protecting public safety," said Sen. Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch), who carried it in the Senate for Feuer.
The bill goes back to the Assembly for approval of amendments before heading to the governor. It would not take effect until 2010.
The measure passed on a 21-17 vote, with strong opposition from Republican lawmakers including Sen. Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), who cited a UC Davis study that recommended more testing to prove the technology.
There was also a largely partisan split over legislation by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson (D-Alameda) that would require prison officials to allow agencies to distribute condoms and dental dams to prison inmates.
The bill was approved by a Senate vote of 21 to 18, with Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) arguing it is needed to address the heavy prevalence of HIV infections among prisoners.
However, Sen. George Runner (R-Lancaster) said handing out condoms is sanctioning prohibited behavior.
"It seems incredibly inconsistent for us to say that this behavior is not acceptable in prisons and then to provide devices to assist in that behavior," Runner said in an interview.
Another bill that was hotly debated would legalize the import and sale of kangaroo-skin shoes and the hides used to make them.
The legislation, by Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), was sent to the governor Thursday on a 27-7 vote.
Sen. Jeff Denham (R-Salinas) said the bill would allow for lightweight but strong boots to be made for police officers and soldiers, thus reducing injuries.
Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) was not convinced it would protect endangered animals from mistreatment.
The Senate voted to allow the South Coast Air Quality Management District to extend its chairman's term. The bill would remove the term limits that otherwise would force out Chairman William Burke in January.
Other legislation senators OKd on Thursday included:
--A bill by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) that would allow anyone involved in a marriage or domestic partnership to change his or her surname, regardless of gender.
--A bill by Assemblyman Gene Mullin (D-San Mateo), which mandates that, starting June 30, 2008, children up to 8 years old must use child safety seats when riding in motor vehicles. The current law requires use up to 6 years of age.
In other action, the Legislature cleared the way for a San Bernardino County Native American tribe to nearly triple its slot-machine inventory to 7,500 machines. Under the agreement, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will give the state up to 25% of the revenue from the added machines.
The Legislature passed similar accords with four other San Diego and Riverside tribes in June. A hotel workers' union and the owner of two horse racetracks are now funding an effort to repeal those four deals.
A spokesman for the referenda effort said Thursday that the coalition hadn't seen the San Manuel compact and could not say whether it, too, would be targeted for repeal.
The compact, by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), passed the Assembly 68 to 2 and goes next to Schwarzenegger.
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Times staff writer Nancy Vogel contributed to this report.
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