From: "Ellen McCormick" Subject: California: AB 53, AB 54, AB 257 and SB 535 pass their first commitees Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 17:18:21 -0800 April 2, 1997 For Immediate Release Contacts: Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate (916) 444-0424 Laurie McBride, Executive Director Sam Catalano, Legislative Assistant LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby FOUR MAJOR BILLS FOR THE LESBIAN/GAY/BISEXUAL AND HIV-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES PASS THEIR FIRST COMMITTEES Today, three California State Assembly and Senate committees ratified four measure of great importance to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and HIV-affected communities of California. AB 53, by Assembly Member Kevin Murray, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of marital status in state adoptions was passed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. AB 54, also by Assembly Member Murray, which would provide a statewide domestic partnership registry was passed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. AB 257, by Assembly Member Antonio Villaraigosa, which would add gays and lesbians to the classes protected under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, was passed by the Assembly Housing Committee. Last, SB 535, by Senator John Vasconcellos, a measure to clarify the recently enacted Medicinal Use of Marijuana Initiative, was passed by the Senate Health Committee. All measures were passed by very close votes and with much debate. Although the debate surrounding Medicinal Use of Marijuana was civil due to the fact that the initiative itself had already passed, the debates over the other three bills were heated. "At times I felt the opposition was simply cruel in what they had to say." said Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate for LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby, "During the debate on AB 257, Assembly Member Bernie Richter said - without substantiation - that 'all homosexuals - men and women - have a life span of 42 years,' this he insinuated was due to our 'dangerous lifestyle.' I have no idea what Mr. Richter thinks this has to do with the Fair Employment and Housing Act." "The good news is that our allies are coming out swinging when they hear nonsense like this," said Laurie McBride, LIFE Lobby Executive Director, "Assembly Members Kuehl, Floyd, Papan, Hertzberg, and Havice were especially eloquent on AB 53, 54 and 257 - it just goes to show that our issues go beyond their relevance for our community - they are human issues." Each bill will now go to a new committee or to a full floor vote. "There is still time to get in letters of support for all of these bills," said Sam Catalano, LIFE Lobby Legislative Assistant, "this is especially important as the radical right will be angered from today's success - please contact LIFE to get more information on these bills." ### LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby has been lobbying on behalf of California's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-affected communities since 1986. LIFE is the oldest and largest institution representing these communities in California's State Capitol and is proud to celebrate a decade of service. VOTE COUNTS AB 53: Assembly Judiciary, 10 - 2 Escutia Y Morrow N Alby N Aroner Y Baugh Abstention Caldera Y Figueroa Y Floyd Y Kaloogian Abstention Keeley Y Kuehl Y McClintock Abstention Ortiz Y Pacheco Abstention Shelley Y Villaraigosa Y AB 53 will go next to the full Assembly floor. AB 54: Assembly Judiciary, 10 - 3 Escutia Y Morrow N Alby Abstention Aroner Y Baugh N Caldera Y Figueroa Y Floyd Y Kaloogian Abstention Keeley Y Kuehl Y McClintock Abstention Ortiz Y Pacheco N Shelley Y Villaraigosa Y AB 54 will go next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee (Chair: Assembly Member Migden) AB 257: Assembly Housing, 7-5 Torlakson Y McClintock N Ducheny Y Havice Y Hertzberg Y Leach N Miller N Papan Y Prenter N Richter N Vincent Y Wright Y AB 257 will go next to the Assembly Labor Committee (Chair: Assembly Member Floyd) SB 535: Senate Health, 5-2 Watson Y Haynes N Hughes Y Maddy Abstention Mountjoy N Polanco Y Solis Y Thompson Abstention Vasconcellos Y SB 535 will go next to the Senate Public Safety Committee (Chair: Senator Vasconcellos) For more information about these bills or any other gay/lesbian or HIV-related legislation, please contact LIFE Lobby at (916) 444-0424.