Guide to the Barry Keene Papers

Processed by Colin Hoffman
California State Archives
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2013
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Guide to the Barry Keene Papers

Collection numbers: LP311:1-2289, LP195:221-299, LP196:1-143, LP213:237-261

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California
Processed by:
Colin Hoffman
Date Completed:
July 2009
Encoded by:
Sara Kuzak
© 2013 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Barry Keene Papers
Dates: 1967-1992
Collection numbers: LP311:1-2289, LP195:221-299, LP196:1-143, LP213:237-261
Creator: Barry Keene, California Legislator
Collection Size: 85 cubic feet
Repository: California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Barry Keene, Democrat served in the California State Assembly 1972-1978 and California State Senate, 1978-1992. The Barry Keene papers contain eighty-five feet of records representing many of Keene's concerns and goals for his districts and California as a whole during his twenty years in the California State Legislature.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Administrative Information

Access

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Barry Keene Papers, LP [number]: [folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition and Custodial History

Throughout his legislative career, Barry Keene periodically deposited his political papers in the State Archives. One of the first acquisitions was a small collection of subject files, press releases, and speeches, apparently sent after Keene's term in the Assembly, which were processed by Archives staff, and now form parts of LP195, LP196, and LP213. Others soon followed, with a final transfer of files shortly after Keene's retirement in 1992. The vast majority of the collection focuses on Keene's fourteen years in the Senate, although the files listed below comprise his Assembly political papers.

Biography

Hailing from California's politically liberal north coast, Barry Keene has been one of the Golden State's most outspoken Democratic legislators. Born in 1938 in New Jersey, he went on to earn Bachelor of Arts and Jurisprudence degrees from Stanford University in 1960 and 1964, respectfully. After a brief career as an attorney in Santa Rosa, Keene was elected to the California State Assembly in 1972. Keene represented California's 2nd Assembly District, encompassing Del Norte, northern Sonoma, Humboldt, Mendocino, and Lake counties. During his time in the Assembly, Keene chaired the Committee on Health, authoring key legislation designed to reform medical malpractice lawsuits and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). In 1978, Keene was elected to represent the 2nd Senatorial District in the California State Senate, where he chaired the Judiciary Committee and served as majority leader from 1985 to 1992. Addressing concerns in his home district, Keene authored numerous bills on environmental protection throughout his political career. A controversial figure in many respects, he also authored a number of idealistic bills that were ultimately defeated, including one to split the state in two, and another to decriminalize marijuana. After several conflicts with San Francisco politician Willie Brown and Governor George Deukmejian, Keene became disillusioned with politics, retiring from the State Senate in 1992.
He went on to pursue a number of different opportunities in higher education, including research and teaching positions at Stanford University, California State University, Sacramento, and the University of California, at Berkeley as well as authoring two casebooks on public decision-making. In 2000, Keene was appointed as Director of the Department of General Services and served until 2001. In 2008, Barry Keene was appointed to the California Student Aid Commission.
During his term in the State Legislature, Keene was a member of the following committees:

California State Assembly, 1972-1978

  • Standing Committees
  • Agriculture, 1973-1978
  • Governmental Organization, 1973-1976
  • Health, 1973-1978
  • Chair, 1974-1978
  • Local Government, 1973-1975
  • Vice-Chairman, 1973-1975
  • Resources, Land Use, and Energy, 1975-1978
  • Water, 1975-1976
  • Subcommittees
  • Health Care Investigations, 1975-1978
  • Chair, 1975-1978
  • Health Personnel, 1975-1978
  • Land Use, 1977-1978
  • Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, 1975-1978
  • Select Committees
  • Genetic Diseases, 1977-1978
  • Health Sciences Education, 1973-1976
  • Manpower Development, 1973-1974
  • North Coast Timber Economy, 1973-1974
  • Chair, 1973-1974
  • Veterans Affairs, 1977-1978
  • Western States Forest Industries Task Force, 1973-1978
  • Joint Committees
  • Fairs Allocation and Classification-Agricultural Code 4531, 1973-1975
  • Health Sciences Education-ACR210, 1973-1975
  • Public General Hospitals, 1977-1978
  • Wildlife Conservation Board, 1973-1978

California State Senate, 1978-1992

  • Standing Committees
  • Appropriations, 1987-1988
  • Banking and Commerce, 1981-1988
  • Budget and Fiscal Review, 1989-1990
  • Business and Professions, 1989-1992
  • Elections and Reapportionment, 1978-1980
  • Chair, 1978-1980
  • Energy and Public Utilities, 1979-1986
  • Governmental Organization, 1981-1992
  • Insurance and Financial Institutions, 1978-1979
  • Insurance and Indemnity, 1980-1981
  • Vice-Chair, 1981
  • Insurance, Claims, and Corporations, 1983-1992
  • Local Government, 1981-1984
  • Natural Resources and Wildlife, 1978-1992
  • Vice-Chair, 1978-1979
  • Judiciary, 1983-1992
  • Chair, 1983-1986
  • Rules, 1980-1981
  • Toxics and Public Safety Management, 1985-1986
  • Subcommittees
  • Administration of Justice, 1982-1983
  • Corrections and Law Enforcement Agencies, 1985-1992
  • Disabled, 1982-1983
  • Energy, 1978-1979
  • Energy Management and Reform, 1978-1979
  • Governmental Organization, 1980-1992
  • Horseracing, 1989-1992
  • Justice, Corrections, Resources, and Agriculture, 1989-1990
  • Veterans Affairs, 1983-88
  • Select Committees
  • California's Wine Industry, 1987-1992
  • Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture, 1981-1982
  • Forest Land Issues, 1981-1984
  • Forest and Range Land Issues, 1985-
  • Forest Resources, 1987-1991
  • Chair, 1987-1991
  • Health Care Delivery Systems, 1987-1988
  • Vice-Chair, 1987-88
  • Maritime Industry, 1983-1992
  • Pacific Rim, 1985-1992
  • Public Pension Fund Investments, 1985-
  • Sierra Cascade Klamath Watersheds, 1985-1991
  • Upper Sacramento Valley Economic Resources and Rangeland Issues, 1987-1988
  • Western States Forestry Task Force, 1978-1979
  • Joint Committees
  • Fisheries and Aquaculture
  • Chair, 1981-1992
  • Legislative Retirement Committee, 1983-1992
  • Organized Crime and Gang Violence, 1987-1988
  • Public Pension Fund Investments, 1981-1992
  • Tort Liability, 1989-1992
  • Boards and Commissions
  • Aquaculture, Advisory Committee, 1978-1979
  • Commission on Corporate Governance, Shareholder Rights and Securities Transactions, 1987-1992
  • Debt Advisory Commission, 1981-1984
  • Judicial Council, 1983-1984
  • Law Revision Commission, 1983-1984
  • Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force, 1987-1992
  • Sea Grant Research Projects, 1984-1988
  • State Coastal Conservancy, 1979-1984
  • Wildlife Conservation Board, 1978-1979

Scope and Content

The Barry Keene papers contain eighty-five feet of records representing many of Keene's concerns and goals for his districts and California as a whole during his twenty years in the California State Legislature. The records are arranged in the following record series: Bill Files, Coded Files, Subject Files, Natural Death Act Files, Northwest Pacific Railroad Abandonment Files, I.T. Corporation/Toxic Waste Files, Marijuana Project Files, Timber Reform Files, Lungren Investigation Files, Correspondence Files, Speech Files, Press Files, and the Medical Malpractice Committee Files. Subjects found throughout the collection include, environmental protection, governmental reforms, childcare, education, marijuana decriminalization, and reforms of the medical and insurance industries. This collection will be useful for the researcher interested in the efforts of Keene and the California State Legislature to: balance environmental protection for California's natural resources while providing for a vibrant California economy, expand the use of renewable resources, initiate tort reforms for the insurance and medical community, revise campaign finance laws, and improve the efficiency and transparency of California's government.
The Bill Files contain legislative documents and related material reflecting many of Keene's interests. Keene legislation frequently concerned the creation and revision of California laws regarding the protection of the environment, health care and medical malpractice, the use of renewable resources and cogeneration, improvements in California's educational system, and expanding California's economy. Of note to the researcher are legislative bills that challenged proposals to scuttle nuclear submarines (SJR27, 1981-1982) and dump nuclear wastes into the ocean (SB444, 1983), as well revise requirements for nuclear liability (SJR54, 1985-1986), underground fuel tank clean-up efforts (SB539, 1987-1988; SB299 and SB2004, 1989-1990; SB853 1990-1991), and oil spills (SB7 and SB2040, 1989-1990).
The subject and coded files provide background to legislative bills through materials such as reports, newspaper and magazine articles, scholarly analyses, correspondence, maps, and photographs. Many of the subjects reflect local concerns within Keene's districts that Keene represented, as wells as topics that concerned California as a whole. In addition to these two series, the researcher will find additional series highlighting some of Keene's major reform efforts while a California legislator. The Marijuana Project files contain reports, background information, newspaper and magazine coverage of Keene's efforts to revise the criminalization of marijuana in California. The Timber Reform Files outline Keene's efforts to balance long-term protection of California's timber through sustained yield policies with the economic needs of communities reliant upon the timber industry. The I.T. Corporation/Toxic Waste files concern violations at toxic waste sites, namely in Benicia, and legislative efforts to ascertain safety procedures and criminal liability. The Northwestern Pacific Railroad Abandonment files chronicle the effort to sustain railroad service to northern California counties when Northern Pacific desired to close its routes due to economic considerations. The Lungren Investigation files contain materials related to Deukmejian's appointment of Dan Lungren to State Treasurer and the suitability of his qualifications.
The Barry Keene collection also contains press and correspondence files that provide the researcher with a wealth of communications between Keene, his constituents, and federal and state officials. The Press files consist of articles relevant to Keene legislation, a collection of his office newsletter Keenews, and some audiocassette tapes of Keene appearances on local radio.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Related Materials

Dan Hauser Papers
Braun and Company Records

Related Collections at Other Repositories

Catalogue II of the Regional Oral History Office: 1980-1997, Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 94720-6000

Oral History

Barry Keene, Oral History Interview, Conducted 1994 by Carole Hicke, Regional Oral History Office, University of California, Berkeley, for the California State Archives State Government Oral History Program.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Keene, Barry
Marijuana - Law and legislation
Logging --Environmental aspects


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.