California Assembly was busy, here are a few stories....

[Kadie]

Forest thinning OK without state review, Assembly says

The Associated Press
Last Updated: May 20, 2004, 06:10:16 PM PDT

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Private landowners would be able to thin forests, remove flammable materials and create firebreaks without undergoing a state review under legislation approved unanimously by the Assembly Thursday.

"The Southern California fires were a grim example of the power of fires in unmanaged and untreated forests," said the bill's author, Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa, R-Biggs.

His bill, sent to the Senate on a 74-0 vote, would exempt landowners from having to file a timber harvest plan with the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention before logging private land, so long as the logging is to increase fire protection.

snip....
California requires that detailed timber harvest plans be prepared by licensed foresters and other professionals for most logging. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration, which wants to streamline the current process, says the typical plan runs 100 to 500 pages, costs $42,954, and waits 65 days for state approval - a delay that climbs to an average 85 days for logging plans along the environmentally sensitive northern coast.

more... http://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/8597443p-9465044c.html




Assembly kills bill requiring country-of-origin labels on beef


The Associated Press
Last Updated: May 20, 2004, 05:25:16 PM PDT


SACRAMENTO (AP) - Legislation requiring imported beef products to carry a country-of-origin label was soundly rejected Thursday by the state Assembly.
Supporters said the proposal by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-Santa Clara, would help consumers protect themselves against mad cow disease. But opponents said the bill would create a "huge bureaucratic and administrative nightmare."

"You could have products (with beef) from 10 different countries," said Assemblyman Rick Keene, R-Chico. "Which one is going to be at the top of the label?"

Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian, R-Stockton, complained the bill was inconsistent because it wouldn't require restaurants to disclose the source of their beef.

more... http://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/8597414p-9465023c.html




Assembly approves car labels revealing global warming gases

The Associated Press
Last Updated: May 20, 2004, 04:15:19 PM PDT


SACRAMENTO (AP) - New cars sold in California would have to have labels telling potential buyers how much global warming gases the vehicles produce if a bill approved Thursday by the state Assembly becomes law.
The measure by Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, was sent to the Senate by a 44-21 vote.

It would require the state Air Resources Board, by Jan. 1, 2007, to revise a "smog index" decal to include emission figures on gases believed to contribute to global warming. The revised decals would have to used starting with 2009 models.

The bill defines global warming gases as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.

more... http://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/8597394p-9464994c.html

[catzies]

1. We have a great Assemblywoman & we're losing her due to

term limits. Hannah-Beth Jackson from Santa Barbara.