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Inventory of the William (Bill) Bradley Papers
LP418
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Table of contents
Title: William (Bill) Bradley Papers
Dates: 1983-1989
Collection number: LP418
Creator:
Bradley, William Randolph, California legislator
Collection Size:
9.25 cubic feet of textual records, including 1 audiocassette
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The Bill Bradley Papers consist of 9.25 cubic feet of textual records and 1 audiocassette. These materials document Bradley's
activities in the California State Assembly from 1983-1989.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please consult California State Archives staff. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento as the owner of the physical
items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication
of materials from the California State Archives collections.
[Identification of item], William (Bill) Bradley papers, LP418:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary
of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
California State Archives acquired the William (Bill) Bradley papers, in a series of four record transfers, beginning in 1992
(Accession Numbers: 92-12-13, 94-06-12, 95-04-29, and 96-06-02).
William (Bill) Randolph Bradley, Republican, was a State Assembly Member, who served from 1982 until his death in 1989. His
76th Assembly District included the cities of Escondido, Poway, Ramona, Palm Desert, and Indian Wells, encompassing portions
of San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Bradley was born on March 2, 1919 in Loveland, Colorado and established residence in California in 1935. Bradley served in
the U.S. Navy during World War II. He attended the University of Southern California and received his Bachelor of Science
degree in civil engineering. He continued on to complete a Master’s program in Public Administration and Political Science
at San Jose State University. Bradley was working as a registered civil engineer when elected to the State Assembly. He was
married to Margaret Bradley and had two daughters, Billie Lee and Randy Kay.
Bradley served in a variety of civil service positions in California, starting with the County of Los Angeles. He was involved
in public works positions in Santa Clara and the City of Coronado before moving to San Marcos, where he served simultaneously
as city manager, engineer and treasurer. Bradley was a member of the Conservative Order of Good Guys; USC Alumni; and both
the San Marcos and Escondido Chambers of Commerce.
Bill Bradley died of kidney failure on June 1st 1989 at his home after a four year battle with cancer; he is buried in his
home town of Escondido.
According to the
California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks) and the
Assembly Final History, Bradley served on the following Assembly committees:
- Standing Committees
- Aging and Long-Term Care, 1987-1988
- Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials, 1983-1984
- Education, 1983-1988
- Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, 1985-1988
- *Vice Chair, 1985-1986
- Human Services, 1985-1986
- International Trade and Intergovernmental Relations, 1987-1988
- Labor and Employment, 1987-1988
- Local Government, 1985-1986
- Policy Research, 1985-1986
- Public Employees and Retirement, 1985-1986
- Utilities and Commerce, 1983-1984, 1987-1988
- Subcommittees
- Higher Education (Education), 1989
- Select Committees
- Accreditation, 1989
- Rural Caucus, 1983-1984
- Small Business, 1983-1984
- State Public Procurement, 1989
- Veterans' Affairs, 1983-1984
The Bill Bradley papers consist of 9.25 cubic feet of textual records and 1 audiocassette. These materials document Bradley’s
activities in the California State Assembly from 1983 to 1989. The collection consists of a single series, Bill Files. These
Bill Files typically include various
bill versions, letters from constituents and organizations, legislative correction notices, correspondence with other lawmakers,
and general information on the bills’ subjects.
The bill files in this collection cover a range of topics reflective of his constituents’ concerns during the 1980s. Bradley
authored many bills regarding primary and secondary education: special education, testing, school funding, and administrative
procedures. Many of his other bills related to tax codes, exemptions, credits, and reductions. Land use and development projects,
including the coastal zone of the 76th Assembly District, are also included within the collection. Finally, many bills are
present that deal with hazardous waste, air pollution, water pollution, and the disposal thereof.
Based on many bill files in the collection, Bradley took an active interest in improving education for Californians both at
the primary and secondary level. Many of Bradley’s authored bills involve both identifying and improving the services for
children with special needs. The largest file within the collection, AB 972 (1985-1986), made testing for dyslexia mandatory
in early education (Statutes of 1985, Chapter 1376). However this bill was subsequently removed from the code in 2007. Similar
bills with regard to education include AB 1552 (1985-1986) relating to physical education and AB 1758 (1985-1986) which defined
the rules for student suspension by principals; the latter was chaptered in 1985 (Statutes of 1985, Chapter 856).
Bradley authored many bills relating to the costal zone of the 76th district such as AB 2403 (1983-1984) and AB 1828 (1985-1986)
both of which died before becoming chaptered. Similar fates were met regarding tax bills authored by Bradley, including AB
2632 (1983-1984) that dealt with tax exemptions for active duty military personnel, and AB 3160 (1983-1984) which would have
established a tax credit for renters.
Despite these setbacks, Bradley was quite successful with regard to environmental regulation. AB 1755 (1985-1986) ensured
strict guidelines for underground tanks containing hazardous waste (Statutes of 1986, Chapter 1535). AB 329 (1987-1988) dealt
with regulating the air pollution generated by asphalt operators (Statutes of 1987, Chapter 183). Finally, AB 1191 (1987-1988)
stated that if the environmental regulations of California were more stringent than those of the federal Environmental Protection
Agency, the state regulations would supersede federal regulations (Statutes of 1987, Chapter 981).
No further accruals are expected.
Related Material at the California State Archives
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Records (including Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials Committee)
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Special education - California
Education, Secondary - California
Education, Elementary - California