From: "Ellen McCormick" Subject: CA: Legislative Update Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 17:37:01 -0700 April 15, 1997 For Immediate Release Contacts: Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate Laurie McBride, Executive Director Sam Catalano, Legislative Assistant LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby (916) 444-0424 DOMESTIC PARTNER HEALTH CARE BENEFITS BILL PASSES FIRST COMMITTEE AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE UPDATES... AB 1059 by Assembly Member Carole Midgen (D-San Francisco) passed the Assembly Insurance Committee today. This measure would provide that insurance carriers that offer spousal or dependent health care coverage must also offer the option of coverage for an employee's domestic partner. Testifying in support of the bill were Tom Coleman, Spectrum Institute and Laurie McBride, Executive Director for LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby, also supporting the measure were representatives from the California Congress of Seniors, the City of West Hollywood and various civil rights organizations. The bill will go next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, of which Assembly Member Migden is the chair. Lobbying targets are Assembly Members Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino), Mike Machado (D-Stockton), and Carl Washington (D-Compton). Please send letters directly to these members and to the committee (as always, please "cc" LIFE Lobby). Vote Count: AB 1059, 9-4 Figueroa, Chair Yes Alby, Vice Chair No Aguiar No Baldwin No Brewer Abstention Cunneen Abstention Escutia Yes Floyd Yes Gallegos Yes Honda Yes Keeley Yes Leach No Papan Yes Sweeney Yes Villaraigosa Yes Other pending legislation... THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE SET FOR HEARING - PLEASE SEND LETTERS NOW: AB 53 (Murray): would allow unmarried couples to adopt. Status: pending Assembly floor - ANY DAY NOW! Action: write to your member! Lobbying targets: Assembly Members: Sally Havice, Joe Baca, Jack Scott, Cruz Bustamante (Speaker), Dennis Cardoza, Jan Goldsmith, Jim Cunneen, Steve Kuykendall, Mike Machado, Edward Vincent, and Carl Washington. Please copy your letter to all of these members. SB 841 (Hayden): prohibits the state from contracting with any entity that does not provide domestic partner benefits equivalent to spousal benefits offered. Status: pending Senate Judiciary, hearing set for 4/22/97 Action: write letters of support to Senator Hayden and Senator John Burton, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee SB 911 (Knight): prohibits California from recognizing same gender marriages from other states. Status: pending Senate Judiciary, hearing set for 4/22/97 Action: This is it! Write letters of opposition to Senator John Burton, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee AB 424 (Baldwin): requires all public post secondary schools (like CSUs) to reinstate armed forces training unit programs and recruiting. Status: pending Assembly Higher Education Committee, hearing set 4/22/97 Action: write letters of opposition to Assembly Member Ted Lempert, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee AB 427 (Knox): provides domestic partner health care benefits for state employees. Status: pending the Assembly Public Employees Committee, hearing set for 4/23/97 Action: write letters of support to the author of the bill and chair of the Committee: Assembly Member Wally Knox AB 257 (Villaraigosa): adds "sexual orientation" to California's Fair Employment and Housing Act. Status: pending the Assembly Labor Committee, hearing set for 4/23/97 Action: write letters of support to Assembly Member Antonio Villaraigosa and Assembly Member Dick Floyd, Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee. AB 492 (Keeley): expands the window for filing a complaint of sexual orientation discrimination with the Labor Commissioner from 30 days to 1 year. Status: pending the Assembly Labor Committee, hearing set for 4/23/97 Action: write letters of support to Assembly Member Fred Keeley and Assembly Member Dick Floyd, Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee. AB 800 (Margett): prohibits California from recognizing same gender marriages from other states (Assembly companion to SB 911). Status: pending the Assembly Judiciary Committee, hearing set for 5/7/97 Action: write letters of opposition to Assembly Member Martha Escutia, Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee AB 1113 (House): parental rights legislation. Status: pending the Assembly Judiciary Committee, hearing set for 5/14/97 Action: write letters of opposition to Assembly Member Martha Escutia, Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee As always, please "cc" your letters to LIFE Lobby. Addresses: Assembly Member / Senator (Name Here) State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 LIFE Lobby 926 J Street, Suite 522 Sacramento, CA 95814 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