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Friday, November 17, 2000
Legislative Scorecard
John Nidiry, Staff Assistant
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| States In Regular Session | States In Special Session | Notes on Session/Legislation | | California |
| Before adjourning on August 31, the Senate gave final approval to a far-reaching measure that calls for federal money to help cover health care costs for low-income workers. In addition, the Legislature sent Governor Gray Davis a bill that requires police officers to undergo training on racial profiling. The governor signed the bill on September 26. Lawmakers also approved measures to increase retirement paychecks for teachers, boost state-funded college grants for high school students, and create more power plants to bring down soaring utility bills. Two Insurance Department reforms, born out of the Quackenbush scandal, are on their way to the governor as well. On August 23, the Legislature passed a sweeping measure to strengthen oversight of the state's nursing homes. The Senate, on August 28, narrowly passed a gun control measure that would require hundreds of thousands of handgun buyers to obtain licenses. On August 30, the Assembly and Senate unanimously voted to approve a measure offering DNA testing to inmates. Governor Davis approved the measure on September 28, making California only the third state--Illinois and New York are the others--to allow DNA testing for prisoners. On September 25, the governor vetoed an Internet tax bill that sought to require retailers with stores in the state to collect taxes for online sales. He did, however, sign measures to create a new sales tax commission and to place a three year moratorium on Internet access taxes. He also signed a bill requiring children younger than 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds to be strapped into child safety seats when riding in vehicles. Lawmakers reconvened last week to approve giving Caltrans an extra $28.7 million for a toll system project on all San Francisco bridges. On September 25, Governor Davis signed two bills to combat police corruption; he also vetoed two measures that would have benefited Indian tribed in two different regions of the state. The governor, on September 27, vetoed several bills that would have revised gaming laws and signed measures concerning computer crimes and identity theft. On September 30, Governor Davis vetoed a bill that would have improved labor standards for the state's stable workers. The House, on October 11, passed legislation to allow disabled immigrants to become citizens without taking an oath of allegiance. |
| Mississippi | On August 28, legislators entered a special session to consider Governor Ronnie Musgrove's new economic development package. On September 7, lawmakers closed out their session with the approval of a revised version of Governor Musgrove's original economic plan. The bill will create new tax incentives to lure businesses to the state. Specific provisions include a measure to let counties with high employment rates exempt businesses from certain taxes as well as a controversial measure that exempts manufacturers from paying a sales tax on devices which monitor pollution. | | Ohio |
| Ohio lawmakers re-entered their regular session on September 12. State Senator Robert Spada, on September 12, sponsored a bill that would allow drivers to substitute the controversial crimson-faced "Chief Wahoo" symbol for the current script "Indians" on license plates. On September 19 a House committee voted to reform the state's fragile organ donor system. The House, on September 21, approved a measure that would eliminate the requirement that Social Security numbers appear on marriage licenses. This week lawmakers approved a pay increase for elected officials. The measure, now on its way to Governor Bob Taft, would lead to a 22 percent increase for legislators and a 3 percent increase for most elected county and state officials. On November 16, the House approved a bill that calls for stiffer fines for anyone under 18 caught buying, smoking, or possessing cigarettes. |
| West Virginia | Legislators entered a special session on September 13 to discuss Governor Cecil Underwood's proposed tax increase on synfuel(waste coal coated with deisel fuel). Through the tax increase, the administration hopes to ensure that synfuel generates the revenue needed by the Department of Environmental Protection to match federal funds. The Legislature closed out the session at the end of the day, deciding to put the synfuel tax issue off until November 14, when they are scheduled to reconvene. Lawmakers did manage to pass a bill which diverts funds originally intended for flood relief and economic development to help meet synfuel revenue regulations. | | Michigan |
| Michigan lawmakers reconvened briefly last week to discuss a few key issues before returning to the campaign trail. On September 26, lawmakers held a hearing on a proposed Government Ethics Act that would create a code of ethics for state and local officials. On September 26, the Senate unanimously approved a bovine TB bill that would end the livestock quarantine in the 11-county region, in order to improve the image of Michigan livestock. The state House of Representatives, on September 26, approved the $1.6 billion higher education budget. On September 28, the Senate unanimously passed a measure that would allow the Michigan Public Service Commission to fine a phone company $1 million for poor service. The Senate also approved legislation that would make identity theft a five-year felony. The seven-member State Officers Compensation Commission meets on Tuesday to determine how much to increase salaries of top elected officials, who are already among the nation's highest-paid. On November 15, the Senate approved a measure designed to improve guardianships and protect the state's most vulnerable people, the elderly and disabled. | | New Jersey |
| On September 25, a Senate committee approved a bill that would allow 3 million state residents to sue their HMOs. The measure is expected to pass by the end of the year, which would make New Jersey the 10th state to adopt such a law. The Senate State Government Committee, on September 25, approved a measure that would allow ill lawmakers to vote from their homes. On November 13, the Senate Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Tourism Committee endorsed a plan to use sales tax revenues to help build massive shopping malls in suburban areas. | | Idaho |
| On October 23, Idaho's 20-member Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee convened for three days to discuss how to spend the state's record surplus. | | Hawaii |
| Lawmakers in Hawaii gathered on October 25 to address the $600 million backlog in repairs and maintenance facing public schools. A key issue being discussed is how to fairly determine which schools should get help first. | | Utah |
| On November 15, the Health and Human Services Interim Committee passed a bill that would allow women to anonymously surrender their newborns within three days of birth without threat of criminal prosecution. The measure will be considered by lawmakers during the next session. |
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