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Legislative Intent Service, Inc. News & Notes

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.

LEGISLATIVE INTENT SERVICE, INC.

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LIS NEWS AND NOTES

 

2014 Challenges to States’ Budgets:  The National Conference of State Legislatures prepared a report addressing the top state fiscal issues in 2014.  For 29 states, the top tier of states’ considerations includes health care programs under the federal Affordable Care Act and Medicaid because of caseload increases, benefit changes, medical inflation rates and policy changes.   Another top tier consideration is education funding, which, for some states, represents about one-third of the state’s general fund budgets.  A few examples include Idaho , which has convened a task force to measure student progress by subject mastery rather than classroom seat time and to rework the state’s school funding formula to tie it to enrollment, rather than average daily attendance.  Also, a three-judge panel ruled that the Kansas Legislature has violated its constitutional duty to provide suitable funding for public schools.  And, California Gov. Jerry Brown is proposing to substantially raise K-12 spending in the state budget. 

Another top-tier state budget issue is corrections funding.  New York will be closing four prisons in July to save the state $30 million annually according to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.  Whereas, the Arizona state House is considering adding $900,000 for private prisons by the House Appropriations chair in an “eleventh hour” funding request and not the Arizona Department of Corrections. 

States will also be reviewing state employee salaries and benefits in 2014.  Oklahoma is one of those states considering raising state employees’ pay while other states such as Illinois are addressing pension reform. 

 

2014 California Enacted Laws:  California’s 2014 Legislative Session has already produced new laws signed by Governor Brown.  A few of the recently enacted measures are set forth below:

  • SB 103 (Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review) was signed on March 1, 2014 to appropriate funding for immediate drought relief, water efficiency, emergency drinking water provision, groundwater protection, and flood management.  Key provisions in the bill address water efficiency, food assistance, water quality, groundwater monitoring, drinking water assistance, conservation corps, fish and wildlife, employment training, disaster assistance, groundwater monitoring and protection, public education, and flood.  This bill took effect immediately.
  • AB 1124 (Muratsuchi) was signed on March 28, 2014 to extend the duration of the exemption for laboratory providers from compliance with the Medi-Cal  "comparable price" regulation until July 1, 2015.  Also delays the requirement that the Department of Health Care Services adopt regulations regarding Medi-Cal laboratory service rates, until June 30, 2016.  This bill took effect immediately. 
  • AB 1303 (Hall) was signed on March 28, 2014 to allow a racing association to enter into an agreement to operate a live race meet at a fair (Alameda County Fair) in the northern zone provided the California Horse Racing Board grants approval.  Additionally, it extends by three years an existing sunset date to allow a thoroughbred racing association in the northern zone to deduct up to 4% of the in-state satellite wagering handle to off-set simulcast operating expenses.  This bill took effect immediately.
  • SB 777 (Hernandez) was signed on March 28, 2014 to reestablish provisions in Horse Racing Law which sunsetted on January 1, 2014.  The provisions required a Thoroughbred racing association, racing fair, quarter horse racing association or harness racing association that conducts a racing meeting to deduct a specified percentage of the total amount handled in exotic pari-mutuel pools on live races, to be distributed to a specified organization for the purpose of defraying costs of workers' compensation insurance for trainers and owners in connection with live horse racing, as defined.  This bill took effect immediately. 
  • AB 800 (Gordon) was signed on April 3, 2014 to make several changes relating to audits and investigations conducted under the Political Reform Act of 1974 (PRA), and to provide a 90 day timeframe before campaign funds become designated as "surplus" funds. AB 800 gives the FPPC additional tools to ensure compliance with the PRA by permitting the commission to seek injunctive relief to compel disclosure required by the PRA, and by requiring the court to grant expedited review to any such action to ensure disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures prior to an election. This bill additionally gives the FPPC the authority to audit any record that is required to be maintained prior to an election in order to ensure compliance with the PRA, and permits the FPPC to make investigations and audits with respect to any report or statement that is required to be filed pursuant to the PRA.  Finally, AB 800 repeals a prohibition against an audit or investigation of a candidate, controlled committee, or committee primarily supporting or opposing a candidate or measure in connection with a report or statement required by certain provisions of the PRA from being commenced prior to the election. This bill will become effective on July 1, 2014.

 

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Free Self-Study MCLEs:  LIS offers two California State Bar approved self-study exams on the separate subjects of legislative process and ethics.  These two exams are easily available 24/7 at our website for your convenience and State Bar MCLE compliance.  In a timely manner, we will correct the exams and provide you with your State Bar approved certificates electronically. 

Excellence in Experience and Expertise:  Our legislative history and intent research expertise expands to all 50 states and federal legislation.  We also research state and federal regulations and California’s Industrial Welfare Commission file materials. Visit our website to learn more about how our legislative research, whether custom or online store , can help you win your case.

 

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40th Anniversary:   LIS has been in the business of researching legislative history and intent longer than any other research firm in California. 2014 is a hallmark year for Legislative Intent Service, Inc. because this year represents our 40th year in business.  Many of our clients remember our early days since 1974 and still have our research binders siting on the shelves in their offices and libraries.  If you have any recollections to share about your experiences with LIS for any part of these past 40 years, click here to email them to us.  We look forward to hearing your stories!

 

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