Measure to Ensure Good Cable TV Service Goes to Governor

The Assembly has passed and sent to Gov. Pete Wilson a bill to set standards for cable television companies to protect subscribers against poor service.

A 71-3 vote moved the bill (AB 2388) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) to the chief executive’s office. The measure previously passed the Senate in a 28-0 vote.

It would require cable television companies to make repairs promptly, interrupt service only when necessary, provide annual programming and price guides and give a 30-day written notice before imposing rate increases.

Cities and counties would be authorized to levy fines and other penalties for consistently poor service.

“Cable television customers have long complained about poor service quality,” Moore said. “This bill would provide some badly needed relief.”

GOVERNOR

Bills Signed

Organ Donors: SB 2012 by Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) provides driver’s license renewal applicants with an organ donor form to encourage more organ transplants.

Bills Vetoed

Pets: AB 3088 by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria), to require people who obtain cats or dogs from animal shelters to have them neutered within 60 days or be subject to a $100 fine. The governor said he was sympathetic to the intent of the bill, but was not convinced it merited establishing a new crime.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Los Angeles Riots: Passed and sent to the governor on a 54-8 vote a bill (AB 38X) by Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson (D-Los Angeles) to speed up the rebuilding of riot-torn regions by granting tax incentives to businesses that rebuild their facilities and provide jobs for local residents.

Charities: Passed and sent to the governor on a 68-2 vote a bill (AB 3053) by Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) to require charities that raise more than $1 million statewide to file detailed financial disclosure reports.

Homeowner Protection: Passed and sent to the governor on a 44-30 vote a bill (AB 2828) by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) designed to protect homeowner association members against lengthy and costly lawsuits filed by developers because residents have exercised their right of free speech.

SENATE

Floor Action

Crime and Punishment: Passed and sent to the governor on a 32-1 vote a bill (SB 25) by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to increase the prison sentences for 50 major crimes, including attempted murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, arson, sale of drugs to a minor on school grounds and child molestation.

Collection Agencies: Passed and sent to the governor on a 32-0 vote a bill (SB 315) by Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Bonita) to restore the state’s right to regulate collection agencies and investigate consumer complaints filed against them.

Health Care: Passed and sent to the governor on a 21-12 vote a bill (SB 6) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to establish a state health care plan to ultimately provide coverage for all Californians. The bill would establish a state commission to administer the plan.

Tree Protection: Rejected on a 20-18 vote a bill (AB 1556) by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles) to require cities and counties to adopt oak tree protection and planting ordinances by June 1, 1994. Twenty-one votes were required for approval.

Miscellaneous

“One of the things of which I’m proud is nobody has died on me,” Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys) told reporters during a recent budget crisis session that went past 1 a.m. Roberti was referring to the fact that he staggered Senate sessions so several senior senators with serious health problems could get their rest in between floor fights.