Key proposals on the governor’s desk [The Sacramento Bee, Calif.]

Sept. 13--As his final year in office winds down, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger must act on about 770 bills before a Sept. 30 deadline or they will become law automatically. Issues range from carpet recycling to supermarket wine tastings to the minimum age for kindergarten. The Democratic-controlled Legislature passed few major Republican bills. Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado could sign bills before the governor returns from Asia Wednesday. Here are some key proposals on the governor's desk:

ASSEMBLY BILLS

AB 194 Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Newark

What it would do: Cap the maximum salary that can be used to calculate a pension for any state employee hired after January 2011 to 125 percent of gubernatorial pay, thus $217,484, adjusted annually for inflation.

Analysis: In light of recent reports about high public pensions, only a handful of lawmakers opposed this effort. Schwarzenegger has demanded pension reform all year.

AB 223 Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco

What it would do: Create statewide standards for people who tattoo, body pierce, or apply permanent cosmetics.

Analysis: Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation last year, saying cities and counties already can adopt guidelines.

AB 482 Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia

What it would do: Ban employers from using credit reports to deny employment, with some exceptions.

Analysis: Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation last year, and the California Chamber of Commerce has targeted AB 482 as a "job killer" bill, a designation likely to doom it.

AB 605 Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge

What it would do: Allow supermarkets and other large liquor outlets to offer free beer, wine and liquor tastings.

Analysis: Retailers, liquor firms and other supporters say the bill simply extends tasting opportunities that already are available in some bars and restaurants. Opponents blast it as an irresponsible marketing gimmick to increase future alcohol sales.

AB 909 Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo

What it would do: Reduce fines for drivers who fail to make complete stops before turning right on red lights. The total fine, including county assessments, would drop from$450 to $219.

Analysis: The League of California Cities opposes the bill, saying it could impair the use of red-light cameras by reducing citation revenue used to operate them.

AB 1280 Assemblyman Mike Villines, R-Clovis

What it would do: Create a new felony, with a prison sentence of life with the possibility of parole, for a caregiver who assaults a child under 8 in a way that causes permanent paralysis or leaves the victim comatose from brain injury.

Analysis: The bill stems from a Fresno shaken-baby assault resulting in paralysis and brain damage for which the perpetrator received a 10-year prison sentence. AB 1280 received only one no vote in the Legislature.

AB 1652 and SB 880 -- Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, and Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, respectively

What they would do: Both bills deal with snow ski safety -- SB 880 would require minors to wear helmets while downhill skiing or snowboarding, while AB 1652 would require ski resorts to create a signage policy and an annual safety plan.

Analysis: Most Republicans voted against the bills, with some critics labeling mandatory ski helmets for minors as "nanny government" that usurps the role of parents.

AB 1743 Assemblyman Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina

What it would do: Ban placement agents -- who are hired by private equity firms to secure investments from CalPERS and other public pension systems -- from collecting contingency fees.

Analysis: Sponsored by CalPERS amid revelations that agents earned millions in fees from selling deals to the pension fund. Critics in the financial industry say the ban could backfire by resulting in fewer placement agents presenting fewer investment options to CalPERS.

AB 1825 Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate

What it would do: Require maternity services to be covered by health insurance policies issued, amended or renewed between July 2011 and January 2014. Policies could exclude coverage, however, for up to a year after issuance.

Analysis: Schwarzenegger has vetoed three similar bills in the last four years, saying the mandate would raise the cost of health insurance for people who do not need maternity coverage to subsidize families that do.

AB 1987 Assemblywoman FionaMa, D-San Francisco

What it would do: Target pension spiking by restricting severance, settlement, multiyear vacation time and various other compensation from being considered in calculating retirement pay. Also would ban workers who retire after Jan. 1, 2012, from returning as retired annuitants within six months.

Analysis: Some pension-reform advocates pushed for even stricter restrictions. The bill passed the Legislature with only one no vote.

AB 2398 Assembly Speaker John A. Perez

What it would do: Impose a fee of 5 cents per square yard of new carpet sold in California, beginning July 2011, to support the recycling, reuse and diversion of old carpet from landfills.

Analysis: Nearly all Republicans voted no. Critics say the 5-cent fee would place a new burden on an industry struggling under the weak economy.

SENATE BILLS

SB 435 Fran Pavley, D-Santa Monica

What it would do: Require that a registered motorcycle manufactured after Jan. 1, 2013, and operating within the state, have a federal Environmental Protection Agency noise emission label. The bill gives police a way to cite noise violators, who can then correct problems and avoid $50 to $100 fines.

Analysis: Some major air quality control districts support the bill, along with Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. Motorcycle businesses and clubs oppose it. Schwarzenegger is a motorcycle buff.

SB 220 Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco

What it would do: Require that health care plans as of Jan. 1, 2011, cover specified tobacco cessation treatments.

Analysis: Heart, lung and other health associations argue the requirement will help smokers quit and save public money. Health and life insurers counter that flexibility is needed for employers and consumers to pick the best plans.

SB 1029 Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco

What it would do: Allow pharmacists to sell or furnish up to 30 syringes or needles for personal use to adults, without a prescription.

Analysis: Schwarzenegger has two other options on his desk: AB 1701 to extend an existing program requiring county authorization, or AB 1858 to allow the state Department of Public Health to authorize needle-exchange programs where it determines that conditions exist for rapid spread of infectious disease.

SB 1072 Ron Calderon, D-Montebello

What it would do: Authorize a new form of betting, called "exchange wagering," which would allow a person to bet on a horse to lose, beginning in May 2012.

Analysis: The bill received heavy Democratic and some Republican support. Opponents contend that exchange wagering could hurt betting at racetracks and threaten the integrity of the sport.

SB 1317 Mark Leno, D-San Francisco

What it would do: Enact a new misdemeanor for parents of K-8 children who are chronically truant.

Analysis: District attorneys support the bill, but the California Public Defenders Association say it could unfairly target certain parents, such as single parents.

SB 1381 Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto

What it would do: Create new "transitional kindergarten" and require that a child turn 5 years old by Sept. 1 to enter regular kindergarten, rather than the current cutoff of Dec. 2. Phased in over three years.

Analysis: Educators say the change is a wise one that would make California's age requirement uniform with many states. Some Republicans opposed the bill because they say the transitional kindergarten amounts to a new state-paid education program.

SB 1399 Sen.Mark Leno, D-San Francisco

What it would do: Allow medical parole for prisoners who are permanently incapacitated and require 24-hour care because they are comatose or on life support.

Analysis: Supporters say the measure would save millions in state costs for guard time for inmates in prison and in outside nursing care. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supports the bill, a good sign the governor will sign it.

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