Senate Approves Legislation Aimed at Drunks on Waterways

Pleasure-boat operators, under legislation narrowly passed by the Senate, could be charged with a crime for drinking alcoholic beverages or possessing an open container while operating a vessel.

A 22-12 vote--one more than the 21-vote majority required--sent the bill (SB 2059) to the Assembly. Sen. Lucy Killea (D-San Diego), who sponsored the bill, said she wants “to get the drunks off the waterways of our state.”

The measure would not apply if a boat is docked, anchored, moored, beached or adrift. It also would not apply to boat passengers. If the bill becomes law, offenders could be fined $100 for a first infraction. Second and subsequent offenses would call for $250 fines. GOVERNOR

Signed into law a bill (AB 211) by Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson) to require all election polling places to be accessible to physically disabled people. ASSEMBLY Committee Action

Automobile purchases: The Government Efficiency and Consumer Protection Committee approved a bill (AB 2604) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) to give buyers of new or used cars a 24-hour cooling-off period to cancel the contract--if the vehicle remains in the possession of the dealer. A 6-2 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Alcohol and drugs: The Finance and Insurance Committee approved a bill (AB 3055) by Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Los Angeles) to require private health insurance plans to offer coverage of alcohol and other drug rehabilitation programs. An 11-6 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Life insurance: The Finance and Insurance Committee also approved a bill (AB 4076) by Assemblyman Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton) to establish a life insurance company guarantee fund to pay claims of policyholders of bankrupt firms. A 13-1 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee. SENATE Floor Action

Lottery: Adopted by a voice vote a resolution (SR 58) by Sen. Ralph Dills (D-Gardena) asking the state Lottery Commission to hold public hearings before converting to a new Lotto game designed to produce more big jackpots. The new game would increase the odds of winning from one in 14 million to one in 23 million.

Health insurance: Passed and sent to the Assembly on 25-8 vote a bill (SB 1979) by Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Tarzana) to set up a health insurance guarantee fund to pay off claims of policyholders of disability insurance companies that go bankrupt.

Prisons: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 31-3 vote a bill (SB 1987) by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) to place on the November ballot a $450-million bond issue to build more state prisons.

Megatrials: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 30-5 vote a bill (SB 2063) by Sen. Robbins calling for a $120,000 study of whether extra-large courtroom facilities should be built in Los Angeles and two other counties to handle megatrials with a host of plaintiffs, defendants and their lawyers.

Air pollution: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 26-2 vote a bill (SB 2652) by Sen. Newton Russell (R-Glendale) to require the South Coast Air Quality Management District and others to consider cost effectiveness when adopting anti-smog regulations. Committee Action

Smell: The Business and Professions Committee approved a bill (AB 2709) by Assemblyman John Burton (D-San Francisco) to require fragrance advertising inserts in magazines to be covered with binders that prevent release of the smell before they are opened by readers. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Animal testing: The Judiciary Committee approved a bill (AB 2461) by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) to outlaw certain animal tests to determine the safety of products that range from cosmetics to household cleansers. A 7-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee. Capital Fact

The Highway Patrol reports that the number of motorcyclists injured in California traffic accidents in 1989 dropped 9.4% compared to 1988, but the number of motorcycle accident fatalities increased 2.5%.