Store Research
SENATE BILL 693 (RUSSELL – 1977)
CHAPTER 597, STATUTES OF 1977, SB 693
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.
Section 31483 was added to the Government Code and Government Code section 31453.5 was amended in 1977 following legislative passage of Senate Bill 693, which affected only these two sections. (See Exhibit #1c) Senator Newton Russell introduced Senate Bill 693 on March 29, 1977. (See Exhibits #1a and #2) He carried this bill for the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles. (See Exhibits #3, page 1 and #11, document PE-5)
Senate Bill 693 was assigned to the Senate Committee on Public Employment and Retirement where policy issues raised by the bill were considered. (See Exhibit #3) Senate Bill 693 was approved by the Senate and forwarded to the Assembly on June 9, 1977. (See Exhibit #2)
While in the Assembly, the Committee on Public Employees and Retirement considered the policy issues raised by the bill. (See Exhibit #7) The Assembly made one amendment and thereafter approved the bill and returned it to the Senate. (See Exhibits #1b and #2)
Senate Bill 693 was forwarded to Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., on August 25, 1977 who signed the bill on September 6, 1977, and it was recorded by the Secretary of State on September 7, 1977 as Chapter 597 of the Statutes of 1977. (See Exhibits #1c and #2)
Senate Bill 693 contained an urgency clause which caused the bill to become effective immediately upon enactment. The urgency clause found in Section 2 of Chapter 597 states the reason for the urgency as follows:
Certain counties, including the County of Los Angeles, are currently experiencing severe financial difficulties, which are expected to become progressively worse. Many of these counties have adopted various local option provisions of the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 which provide for enriched retirement benefits for county employees. It is estimated that these counties could save many millions of dollars by eliminating these option benefits as to future employees. However, there is some uncertainty as to whether the benefits in question may be rescinded without legislative authorization. Since delay will only serve to aggravate the counties’ economic difficulties, it is necessary that this act take immediate effect to clarify the intent of the Legislature.
(See Exhibit #1c)