Sep 03 2009
Bills passed by the Senate on Wednesday
These are some of the bills the Senate passed on Wednesday. After they go to the Assembly for concurrence on minor changes, they go to the Governor for his signature or veto.
* AB 1017 (Law enforcement): A measure requiring law enforcement agencies to report to the state annually how many rape kits they collect, process and destroy each year. AB 1017 is in response to reports that Los Angeles city and county had about 10,000 rape kits containing evidence of sexual assault that had not been fully processed so criminals could be identified.
* AB 951 (Charter buses): This would increase, from $1,000 to $5,000, the civil fines that can be charged against charter bus companies that violate laws and regulations. The measure is meant to persuade “bad actors” to pay closer attention to safety regulations.
* AB 1319 (Talent scouts): This would prohibit talent scouts from demanding an advance fee for arranging a job or audition. The Los Angeles city attorney’s office said complaints about acting and modeling scams have - in an era of “American Idol” — doubled every year since 2006 and now total 1,000.
* AB 110 (Nature): This would allow the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to expand the Rim of the Valley Trail to include an area near Santa Clarita including Elsmere Canyon. AB 110 could set the stage for filling a gap in the trail if the new owner of the canyon decides to sell or dedicate land.
It is good to know, in a time when water issues, budget issues and the economy are in crisis, that California lawmakers have the time to tend to the little things. To the really little things - or so it seems. These bills are not worth the paper they are going to be printed on so they can be signed.
