Brown Introduces New Bill for Needle Exchange Program

Controversial legislation to allow drug addicts to exchange dirty needles for clean ones in an attempt to prevent the spread of AIDS has been introduced in the Legislature for the second time.

Authored by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco), the measure (AB 260), which has been introduced in the Assembly, would establish a pilot needle exchange project in the city and county of San Francisco. Other cities and counties also could take advantage of the legislation if local officials desired.

A similar bill was passed by the Assembly and Senate last year but was vetoed by Gov. Pete Wilson.

In his veto message, the governor said he believed there was not enough evidence to prove that needle exchange programs are effective in reducing the spread of AIDS.

But the National Commission on AIDS contends that such programs are a key element in the fight against the disease.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

African-American Males: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 55-8 vote a resolution (ACR 2) by Assemblywoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to continue the existence of the Commission on African-American Males to look into targeted areas such as high unemployment and make recommendations to the Legislature.

Election Costs: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 64-0 vote a bill (AB 37) by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-La Habra) to require the state, instead of counties, to pay for special elections to fill legislative and congressional vacancies.

Bill Introductions

State Budget: ACA 3 by Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chico) would require state legislators to forfeit their salary and expense money and pay a $100-per-day penalty for every day after the July 1 deadline that the state budget is not adopted.

Smoking Ban: AB 291 by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-Burlingame) would prohibit smoking inside state buildings or within five feet of the main entrance or exit to such buildings.

Initiative Lawsuits: AB 296 by Assemblyman Ray Haynes (R-Murrieta) would prohibit the filing of a lawsuit challenging the validity of an initiative or referendum until after the election is held.

Credit Reports: AB 272 by Assemblyman Rusty Areias (D-San Jose) would require consumer credit reporting agencies to provide consumers with annual written copies of their files.

African-American Center: AB 268 by Assemblyman Willard Murray Jr. (D-Paramount) would appropriate $100,000 in state seed money to support the establishment of a Center for African-American Educational Excellence and Achievement at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Private donations also will be sought.

Absentee Voting: AB 275 by Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chino) would allow absentee voters to cast their ballots by using fax machines.

Voter Registration: AB 271 by Assemblyman Rusty Areias (D-San Jose) would allow motorists to register to vote when they apply for a new California driver’s license or renewal.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

Unemployment Insurance: SB 150 by Senate President Pro Tem David Roberti (D-Van Nuys) would increase the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit from $230 to $336, or to the maximum payment for temporary disability under workers’ compensation, whichever is greater.

Bond Issue: SB 158 by Sen. Dan McCorquodale (D-San Jose) would ask the voters to approve a $603-million parks and recreational bond issue on the June, 1994, primary election ballot.