This measure would designate the month of November 2012 as California Runaway and Homeless Youth Month and would recognize the need for individuals, schools, communities, businesses, local governments, and the state to take action on behalf of runaway and homeless youth in California.
Existing law excludes from the definition of "commercial vehicle," among other vehicles, passenger vehicles and house cars that are not used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit. Existing law defines a pickup truck as a motor truck with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and that is equipped with an open box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length. Existing law imposes an unladen weight fee on commercial vehicles operating with an unladen weight under 10,000 lbs and weight fees for pickup trucks are calculated under these provisions. This bill would reduce by 20% each year the unladen weight fee imposed pursuant to these provisions on pickup trucks that are not being used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit. The bill would exempt these pickup trucks after 5 years from payment of this fee.
This measure would proclaim California as a Purple Heart State, honoring the service and sacrifices of our nation's men and women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
(1) Existing law affords wage and hour protections to employees in the state. These protections include laws that regulate overtime compensation and require employees to be given meal and rest periods. Violations of these protections is a crime. Generally, these wage and hour laws are inapplicable to employees of the state. This bill would make specified wage and hour laws applicable to the Legislature. Because a violation of these requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires the Department of General Services to approve certain contracts entered into by a state agency, including contracts for the construction, alteration, improvement, repair, or maintenance of a property, or for the performance of work or services by the state agency for, or in cooperation with, any person or public body. Existing law provides that the Department of General Services is not required to approve, among other things, any contract let by the Legislature. This bill would apply the approval requirement to those types of contracts entered into by the Legislature, with the exception of contracts by the Legislature that are deemed necessary to meet an emergency, as specified. The bill would also establish specified procedures for the Legislature in advertising for bids, accepting bids, and awarding contracts. The bill would require specified information to be verified under oath, thus imposing a state-mandated local program by expanding the scope of an existing crime. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
This measure would proclaim April 15 through April 22, 2012, as California Holocaust Memorial Week and would urge Californians to observe these days of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust in an appropriate manner.
Article XVI of the California Constitution requires a general obligation bond act to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds, and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 23 vote of each house of the Legislature and by a majority of the voters. Article XVI authorizes the Legislature, at any time after the approval of a general obligation bond act by the voters, to reduce the amount of the indebtedness authorized by the act to an amount not less than the amount contracted at the time of the reduction or to repeal the act if no debt has been contracted. Existing law, pursuant to the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century, approved by the voters as Proposition 1A at the November 4, 2008, statewide general election, provides for the issuance of $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds for high-speed rail and related rail purposes. Existing law creates the High-Speed Rail Authority with specified powers and duties related to the development and implementation of a high-speed train system. This bill would provide that no further bonds shall be sold for high-speed rail and related rail purposes pursuant to the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century. The bill would amend the bond act to authorize redirection of the net proceeds received from outstanding bonds issued and sold prior to the effective date of this act, upon appropriation by the Legislature, from those high-speed rail purposes to retiring the debt incurred from the issuance and sale of those outstanding bonds. This bill would provide that, pursuant to Article XVI of the California Constitution, these provisions shall become effective only upon approval by the voters at the next statewide general election. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
This measure would respectfully request Congress and the Department of Defense to remain committed to maintaining the 144th Fighter Wing and the Aerospace Control Alert mission in California in order to prevent any negative impacts to Southwest air defense operations, the California economy, and the ability of first responders to protect the residents of this state.
