Store Research
Assembly Bill 1477 (Areias – 1991)
Chapter 1089, Statutes of 1991 - AB 1477
Some bill research does not include the Governor's file because at the time we researched the bill, the sitting Governor had not released his chaptered bill file. If the Governor's file is not included with this particular research, please contact our office (1-530-666-1917 or quote@legintent.com) and we will be happy to provide this file at no charge if it is available. Please Note: Governor files did not exist prior to 1943.
As enacted in 1991, Assembly Bill 1477 only amended sections 1725 and 1747.8 of the Civil Code relating to consumers. (See Exhibit #1f) Assembly member Rusty Areias introduced Assembly Bill 1477 on March 7, 1991 on his own initiative. (See Exhibits #1a and #3, page 4)
Assembly Bill 1477 was assigned to the Assembly Committee on Banking, Finance, and Bonded Indebtedness for consideration of the policy issues raised by the bill. (See Exhibits #2 and #3) The Assembly amended the bill on May 15, 1991. (See Exhibits #1b and #2) Assembly Bill 1477 was approved by the Assembly and forwarded to the Senate on May 29, 1991. (See Exhibit #2)
While in the Senate, the Committee on Judiciary heard the policy issues presented by the bill. (See Exhibit #6) The Senate amended Assembly Bill 1477 on July 10, August 20, and August 26, 1991. (See Exhibits #1c through #1e and #2) The Senate voted to pass the bill on August 28, 1991, and it was returned to the Assembly on that date. (See Exhibit #2)
Following approval by the Assembly of amendments proposed by the Senate, Assembly Bill 1477 was forwarded to the Governor on September 10, 1991. (See Exhibit #2) Governor Pete Wilson signed the legislation on October 14, 1991, and it was recorded by the Secretary of State on that date as Chapter 1089 of the Statutes of 1991. (See Exhibits #1f and #2)
Assembly Bill 1477 was an urgency bill going into immediate effect. (See Exhibit #1f, page 5) The necessity for the urgency was noted in uncodified section 3 of the bill as follows:
It is imperative to provide clarification as to the intent of existing California law, to allow retailers to be able to effectively comply with the law’s provisions and avoid undue civil penalties. It is therefore necessary that this act take effect immediately.
(See Exhibit #1f, page 5, SEC. 3)