Assembly OKs Needle Exchange, Sends Legislation to Wilson

The Assembly has narrowly passed a controversial bill to authorize pilot projects that allow drug addicts to exchange needles and syringes to try to prevent the spread of AIDS if local communities approve.

A 43-25 vote, two more votes than required for passage, sent the measure (AB 2525) by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) to Gov. Pete Wilson. It passed the Senate, 21 to 15--the exact majority vote needed.

“One proven method of reducing the spread of the HIV virus is through clean needle exchange programs such as the one currently operating in San Francisco,” Brown said.

“Responsible community organizations and local officials worked hard on this bill, and it is certain to save many lives.”

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* Abortions: Passed on a 49-19 vote and sent to the governor a bill (AB 1097) by Assemblywoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to establish new misdemeanor penalties for people who try to prevent others from entering abortion clinics.

* Offshore Oil Drilling: Passed on a 60-13 vote and sent to the governor a bill (AB 10) by Assemblyman Dan Hauser (D-Arcata) to ban new offshore oil drilling operations in state waters off Northern California.

* Sales Tax Break: Passed on a 49-15 vote and sent to the governor a bill (AB 2396) by Assemblyman Dave Elder (D-Long Beach) to exempt commercial ships purchasing fuel at California ports from having to pay state sales tax.

* Absentee Voters: Passed on a 43-32 vote and sent to the governor a bill (AB 1511) by Assemblywoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to allow voters to have their absentee ballots returned to election officials by other members of their household.

Committee Action

* Civil Rights: A two-house conference committee approved an omnibus civil rights bill (AB 3825) by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco). The committee restored a provision prohibiting job discrimination against gays and lesbians that had been removed in a Senate committee. Two of three Assembly members and two of three Senate members signed the committee report. It goes to the floors of both houses for action.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Campground Tax: Passed on a 21-10 vote and sent to the governor a bill (SB 1984) by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) to allow cities and counties to levy a hotel-motel type tax on campground spaces.

* Prison Alternative: Passed on a 30-0 vote and sent to the governor a bill (SB 1124) to permit some first-time nonviolent offenders to be sent to a military-type boot camp to be rehabilitated instead of to state prison.

* Credit Reports: Passed on a 23-3 vote and returned to the Assembly for concurrence in amendments a bill (AB 1629) by Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Chula Vista) to require creditors who intend to submit negative information to a credit bureau to first notify the consumer that they will do so.