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Guide to the Barry Keene Papers
LP311:1-2289, LP195:221-299, LP196:1-143, LP213:237-261  
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Series Descriptions

LP311:1-517

Series 1 Bill Files 1973-1992

Physical Description: 948 file folders and 3 audiocassette tapes

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Bill files are arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number.

Scope and Content Note

Bill Files contain legislative documents and related material reflecting many of Keene's judicial and environmental concerns. In addition to environmental legislation, Keene also authored many bills seeking greater protection and benefits for women and mothers, such as eliminating the use of sex as a basis for determining rates and availability of insurance policies (SB1226, 1983-1984). While not all successful, several legislative proposals continued Keene's efforts to craft revised health care laws. Keene fought for clearly defining the rights of power of attorney for the terminally ill (SB762; SB1365 and SB1367 1983-1984) and an expansion of options under the Natural Death Act (SB1808, 1987-1988; SB1064, 1989-1990). Keene also actively sought to revise the criteria for disqualifying judges (SB1633 and SB598, 1983-1984), control anti-commercial rent rates (SB692, 1987-1988), provide truth in seafood labeling (SB953, 1983-1984), and reforming campaign financing (SCA4 1991-1992). Additionally, the researcher will find Keene legislation concerning his district, including midwife qualification and university funding.
1973-1974: AB224-4516, ACA 29-ACA97, AJR18-AJR80 (27ff) LP311:1-26
1975-1976: AB193-AB4530, ACA40-ACA90, ACR20-ACR235, AJR3-AJR78, AB1xx (54ff) LP311:27-80
1977-1978: AB14-AB3790, ACR23-103, AJR70-AB158 (50ff) LP311:81-130
1979-1980: Preprint SB1-SB2063, SCA24-SCA42, SCR28, SJR16-SJR21 (76ff) LP311:131-206
1981-1982: SB3-SB2094, SCA21-SCA51, SCR13-SCR71, SJR9-SJR50 (84ff) LP311:207-290
1983-1984: SB242-SB2235, SCA19-SCA57, SCR16-SCR41, SJR27-SJR57, SR18-SR47 (48ff) LP311:291-338
1985-1986: SB95-SB2582, SCA16, SCR68-SCR99, SJR14-SJR54, SR32 (46ff) LP311:339-384
1987-1988: SB137-SB2869, SCA35, SCR48-SCR53 (58ff) LP311:385-442
1989-1990: SB123-SB2855, SCA34-SCA46, SCR42-SCR105, SJR13, SB37X (54 ff) LP311:443-496
1991-1992: SB7-SB1800, SCA4-SCA32, SCR22-SCR84, SJR53 (21ff) LP311:497-517
LP311:518-1211

Series 2 Coded Files 1979-1984

Physical Description: 684 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alpha-numerically by coded headings.

Scope and Content Note

Coded Files provide additional background information for the Bill Files, further detailing some of the topics considered important to Keene. This series contains maps, background material, analyses, reports, correspondence, articles, and proposed legislation. Among these files are materials relating to forestry practices, aquaculture and fisheries, agricultural products, watershed and wetland protection, education, regional universities, and business development. Included within certain subject records are audio files of legislative forums and committees and some of Keene's public statements and press conferences.
See Appendix A in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of subjects.
LP311:1212-1754, LP195:221-299, LP196:1-75, LP196:85, LP196:102-143

Series 3 Subject Files 1973-1992

Physical Description: 798 file folders, 39 audiocassette tapes

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files, much like the coded files, contain materials for additional background information, such as maps, reports, articles, analyses, correspondence, photographs, and publications reflecting many topics important to Keene. Topics include the development of local and statewide economies, pesticides, improvement of labor rights, environmental protection, Vietnam veterans and the effects of Agent Orange, women's and disabled persons' rights, nuclear power plant decommissioning, open meetings, childcare, education, and the disabled.
Subject files also provide the researcher with materials related to particular governmental entities, such as the Legislative Counsel and the National Conference of State Legislatures meetings. Additionally, the researcher will find background information regarding Keene's trips overseas to facilitate energy and economic development in California.
For a complete list of subjects, see Appendix B in master finding aid at the California State Archives.
LP311:1755-1812

Series 4 Natural Death Act Files 1974-1987

Physical Description: 58 file folders, 1 audiocassette tape

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Natural Death Act Files concern Keene's ongoing efforts to revise California laws to create a consistent, comprehensive legal approach towards terminal illness and the right to die naturally. This series contains legal documents, memorandums, bill analyses, amendments and previous bill drafts, scholarly reports, newspaper articles, and correspondence highlighting legal debates concerning terminally ill patients' legal rights to a natural death, the legal parameters governing the disposition of property and wealth, and the role of the medical community.
LP311:1813-1829

Series 5 Northwest Pacific Railroad Abandonment Files 1983-1984

Physical Description: 17 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Northwest Pacific Railroad Abandonment Files chronicle Keene's efforts to maintain railroad service to northern California counties in light of efforts by the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company to close northern rail lines through Keene's district. These files predominately contain articles, correspondence, background information, legal documents, and legislation that highlight arguments concerning the environmental and economic impact that the closures would have on the northern counties of California.
LP311:1830-1888

Series 6 IT Corporation/Toxic Wastes Files 1985-1987

Physical Description: 59 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

I.T. Corporation/Toxic Waste Files contain materials related to the operation of toxic waste sites, particularly in the Benicia area. Files contain investigative materials, reports, maps, commission and hearing materials, drum burial analyses, and some photographs chronicling defective toxic sites and the subsequent damage to the surrounding environment and communities. Additionally, the researcher will encounter compliance orders and schedules, records of toxic pond expansion and closures, information on toxic landfills, and E.P.A. violation documents.
LP311:1889-1909

Series 7 Marijuana Project Files 1977-1987

Physical Description: 21 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Marijuana Project Files concern Keene's efforts to revise marijuana laws in California and, thereby, reducing the strain on the California jail system. Files contain reports describing potential health ramifications of marijuana use, legal analyses of marijuana laws, impact and decriminalization reports, eradication raid documentation and reports, constituent letters, as well as database and indexed references to background information.
LP311:1910-1952

Series 8 Timber Reform Files 1987-1992

Physical Description: 43 file folders, 6 audiocassette tapes

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Timber Reform Files highlight legislative efforts to end California's ongoing "Timber Wars" by revising the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 to emphasize sustained yield and reforestation practices, with the hope of balancing environmental concerns and the need to maintain the major industry of Keene's northern California counties. These materials outline multiple legislative efforts to reform forestry practices, conflicts with Governor Pete Wilson's veto of AB860 in 1991, and the renewed efforts with the "Grand Accord" in 1992. The files contain legislative proposals and background studies, reports, analyses, hearing materials, correspondence, and background information on timber yield taxes.
LP311:1953-1992

Series 9 Lungren Investigation Files 1986-1988

Physical Description: 40 file folders, 15 audiocassette tapes

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.

Scope and Content Note

Lungren Investigation Files provide the researcher with materials reflecting the political and legal controversy over Governor George Deukmejian's nomination of Dan Lungren to the position of State Treasurer. The researcher will find many legal analyses, Congressional special reports, Supreme Court documents, independent reports, magazine and newspaper articles, press releases, support/opposition correspondence, and background research materials that provide context for understanding Keene's firm opposition to Lungren and the disagreements concerning the proper legal procedures for confirming a candidate for an appointment to office.
LP311:1993-2117

Series 10 Correspondence 1979-1992

Physical Description: 125 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent last name, then chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

This series contains correspondence between Keene and fellow legislators, federal and local officials, and his constituents. Many letters respond to local constituent concerns and local opinions about legislation and also include many thank you letters Keene sent to constituents, friends, and colleagues. One will find letters from fellow legislators, city, and county officials urging support or opposition to particular legislation and Keene's explanations for his position position, as well as materials concerning the efforts to improve governmental efficiency at s proposed 1991-1992 Constitutional Convention.
LP311:2118-2137, LP196:86-101

Series 11 Speech Files 1973-1992

Physical Description: 34 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of speech.

Scope and Content Note

Speech Files contain speeches made by Barry Keene at various locations between 1973 and 1992, concerning topics such as education, oil spills, natural resources, hospitals, waste disposal, economics, and California government. The researcher will find speeches where Keene challenged then Governor Deukmejian's budgets, urging revisions to aspects of California's government, highlighting the escalating numbers of latchkey kids, and environmental protection.
LP311:2138-2289, LP196:76-84

Series 12 Press Files 1973-1992

Physical Description: 159 file folders, 4 audiocassette tapes

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Press Files contain news articles, numerous press releases, Keene radio appearances, Keene news columns, and a collection of Keene's office newsletter Keenews between 1984-1992. These materials provide the researcher with additional background material for much of Keene's proposed legislation, detailing many of the local concerns of Keene's constituents, Keene's perceptions about issues facing California and the legislation involved in remedying them, and chronicling the progress of bills as they progress through the legislature.
LP213:237-261

Series 13 Medical Malpractice Committee Files 1967-1979

Physical Description: 23 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Medical Malpractice Committee Files contain attorney statements on problem areas, legislation, background information, reports, studies, and correspondence concerning Keene's successful efforts to revise medical laws in California in light of the crisis precipitated by escalating costs of malpractice lawsuits and the potential for hospital closures or refusals to provide services. The researcher will find extensive documentation on tort reform for malpractice legislation, re-certification of medical doctors, and cost-cutting measures.