Some Senate Highlights

by shayera [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

With the Senate session starting to wind down, California legislators have been debating a huge number of bills to send up to the Governor.

The LA Times highlights just a few of them. And I thought I'd pass them on to you.
Senate gets heated passing gun bill

The bill that seems to have generated the most discussion was Assemblyman Mike Feuer's (D-Los Angeles), which require semiautomatic handguns to be equipped with technology that would stamp the bullets fired from the weapon. The measure passed on a 21-17 vote. It was introduced in the Senate by Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch) and will now go back to the Assembly.

Assemblyman Sandre Swanson (D-Alameda) introduced a bill that would require prison officials to allow agencies to distribute condoms and dental dams to prison inmates. The bill was passed on a 21 to 18 vote. Republican legislators argued that the bill "sanctioned prohibited behavior."

Parents take note. Assemblyman Gene Mullin (D-San Mateo), had a bill passed which mandates that children up to 8 years old must use child safety seats when riding in motor vehicles. The current law requires use up to 6 years of age.

Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) introduced legislation that would allow anyone involved in a marriage or domestic partnership to change his or her surname, regardless of gender.

A total of 100 bills were in discussion yesterday.

In National news, it seems Congresswoman Mary Bono has gotten engaged to a fellow Congressmember Rep. Connie Mack, R-FL.