Sen. Bob Huff's End of Session Legislative Update

From Sen. Bob Huff,

I’m pleased to announce that four pieces of my legislation were signed by Governor Schwarzenegger this month.

Senate Bill 136 provides for the sale of state property that is no longer needed. By getting unused and not needed property back in the private sector, we save maintenance costs, score new taxes, and in many cases, facilitate new private sector jobs.

The second bill, Senate Bill 548, is a measure that helps protect veterans from fraud and abuse. Under California’s Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) program, state related projects are required to use certified disabled veterans for a portion of the work. Unfortunately, in all too many cases, once a veteran has been worked into a contract to meet the state’s requirements, contractors do not award the agreed-upon jobs. Worse yet, some contractors use veterans’ services on a project but do not pay them for their hard work. Senate Bill 548 will make certain that when a contractor hires a disabled veteran, they are awarded both the agreed upon work and pay.

Senate Bill 598 allows a drunk driver who has lost his driver's license, and who voluntarily installs an ignition interlock device (IID) to apply for a restricted license at an earlier time. An IID disables a car ignition if alcohol is detected. Many convicted drunks, needing transportation for work and family duties, drive without a license. By providing an alternative that legally allows them to drive, while ensuring they don't drive drunk, lives will be saved. Additionally, those who use these interlock devices, have a much better track record of not re-offending.

I applaud the Governor’s efforts in proactively fighting drunk driving and joined Governor Schwarzenegger and many leaders in the law enforcement community at a press conference and bill signing ceremony to highlight this important measure.

Also in attendance was Assemblyman Mike Feuer, who authored a companion piece of legislation that creates a mandatory ignition interlock device for first time drunk drivers through a pilot program in four California counties, including Los Angeles County.

Lastly, jointly authored by myself and Senator Romero, SB 680 gives parents and students more quality public school options beyond their home district. Traditionally, students are bound to their neighborhood schools that may or may not meet their individual needs. Confronted with this, parents who are able have put their children in private schools or home schools. The District of Choice program creates opportunities for parents to keep their children in public schools, and also creates a healthy competition for schools to implement innovative education programs to attract and keep their students.

It is an honor to have authored these measures.