Guide to the Richard Polanco Papers

LP441:1-716

Series 1 Bill Files 1987-2002

Physical Description: 716 file folders and 1 audiocassette tape

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 were created by Richard Polanco while he served as an Assembly Member from 1986-1994 and State Senator from 1995-2002. The files may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and committee statements that pertain to numerous issues of concern to Polanco.

As an Assembly Member and State Senator, Richard Polanco's legislative interests were varied. Some topics and bills of note include: protection and promotion of minority rights (AB1933, 1989-1990; SB938, 1997-1998; SB804 and SB1974, 2001-2002); health, mental health, and healthcare related issues (AB4532, 1987-1988; AB2424, 1989-1990; SB777, 1995-1996; and SB694, SB1181, SB1256, and SB2050, 1997-1998); international trade (AB2602, AB2852, and AJR99, 1989-1990; and AB3051, 1991-1992); prison reform (SB617, 1995-1996; SB1132, 1997-1998; and SB404 and SB574, 2001-2002); and insurance and money lender regulation (AB230, 1987-1988; AB1461, 1989-1990; and SB1325, 1995-1996).

Among his other legislative interests, Polanco additionally advocated for stronger environmental regulations (AB947, AB2229, and AB3193, 1989-1990; AB1772, 1991-1992; and AB175, 1993-1994), and supported primary, higher, and technical education programs which expanded access and improved services for minorities and other marginalized groups (AB4535, 1987-1988; AB2879 and AB2880 1991-1992; SB1192, SB1318, and SB1413, 1997-1998; SB1482 and SB1566, 2001-2002).

Bill Files from the 1989-1990 and 1991-1992 Assembly sessions include some Senate Bills of legislative interest to Polanco (SB146, 1989-1990: Care and Treatment Facilities; SB961, 1989-1990: California and Baja California Enterprise Zone Authority; and SB97, 1991-1992: Prison Construction). Likewise, Bill Files from the 1999-2000 Senate session include an Assembly Bill of interest to Senator Polanco (AB2547, 1999-2000: Health Facilities), and Bill Files from the 2001-2002 Senate session include an Assembly Bill which Senator Polanco coauthored (AB1734, 2001-2002: Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program).

1987-1988: AB230-AB4694; ACA6-ACA42; ACR74-ACR151; AJR64-AJR84 (56ff) LP441:1-56

1989-1990: AB20-AB4362; ACR4-ACR167; AJR21-AJR99; HR38-HR60; AB52X; ACR1X (135ff) LP441:57-191

1989-1990: SB146-SB961 (2ff) LP441:192-193

1991-1992: AB57-AB3777; ACA27; ACR1-ACR139; AJR28-AJR99 (111ff) LP441:194-304

1991-1992: SB97 (1ff) LP441:305

1993-1994: AB175-AB3720; ACR33-ACR142; AJR19-AJR76; AB31X-AB65X (103ff) LP441:306-408

1995-1996: SB75-SB2174; SCR36-SCR41; SR26 (86ff) LP441:409-494

1997-1998: SB14-SB2190; SCA6-SCA21; SCR23-SCR84; SJR42-SJR45 (73ff) LP441:495-567

1999-2000: SB44-SB2168, SCA7-SCA17; SCR31-SCR93; SJR23-SJR40; SR33 (77ff) LP441:568-644

1999-2000: AB2547 (1ff) LP441:645

2001-2002: SB24-SB2083; SCR10-SCR82; SJR2-SJR48; SR2-SR29; SB13XX-SB51XX; SB8XXX (70ff) LP441:646-715

2001-2002: AB1734 (1ff) LP441:716

LP441:717-785

Series 2 Subject Files 1986-2002

Physical Description: 69 file folders and 8 CD-Roms

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels. The topics addressed cover a broad spectrum of issues, from alcoholic beverage control to convalescent homes to water desalination, and reflect Polanco's eclectic legislative interests.

See Appendix A in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of folder titles in the Subject Files.

LP441:786-818

Series 3 Correspondence 1986-2002

Physical Description: 33 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by correspondence date.

Scope and Content Note

Sampled correspondence includes communication between Richard Polanco and his fellow legislators, some constituents, and agencies and organizations affected by specific legislation over the span of his time with the State Legislature.

LP441:819-830

Series 4 Hearing Files 1989-1997

Physical Description: 12 file folders and 4 audiocassette tapes

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by committee name, then chronologically by hearing date.

Scope and Content Note

Hearing Files include notes, transcripts, background materials, correspondence, and/or agendas from a number of hearings held before the various committees of which Polanco was a member. Notable hearings include: Mortgage Lending Activity in Low-Income Areas, held before the Assembly Banking, Finance, and Public Indebtedness Committee on November 5, 1990 in Sacramento; Bonding, Insurance, and Investment Opportunities for Minority, Women, and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses, held before the Assembly State Public Procurement Practices Select Committee on February 11, 1992 in Sacramento; and Expanding International Trade Opportunities in Mexico, Latin America, and South America for California's Small Business Community, held before the Senate Americas Subcommittee on December 10, 1997 in Long Beach (includes four audiocassettes).

See Appendix B in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of Hearing Files.

LP441:831-833

Series 5 Reports 1989-1999

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by report date.

Scope and Content Note

Reports series is comprised of studies related to specific topics of interest to Richard Polanco and/or the various committees of which he was a member. Reports include Various Air Quality Reports and Related Papers, and "The Use of Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents by Optometrists in California: A Study of Competence and Cost Effectiveness," commissioned by the California Optometric Association.

LP441:834-851

Series 6 Public Procurement Advisory Committee Files 1986-1991

Physical Description: 18 file folders and 3 audiocassettes

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

The Public Procurement Advisory Committee (PPAC) files are comprised of Hearing Files, Reports, and Subject Files. Within these subseries, the Hearing Files are arranged chronologically by hearing date; the Reports are arranged chronologically; and the Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

The Public Procurement Advisory Committee (PPAC) files were created while Richard Polanco was a member with the committee. PPAC Hearing Files contain notes, transcripts, background materials, correspondence, agendas, and/or audiocassettes from a number of hearings held before the advisory committee. Some hearings of note include: minority and women-owned business enterprises participation goals for state contracts, and one stop certification, small business preference program, public pension funds, California's efforts to meet participation goals for minorities' and women's businesses in state contracts, and state agencies.

PPAC Reports contain three annual reports-1984, 1988, and 1990-that address the committee's business, objectives, and legislation for that year.

PPAC Subject Files include such topics as Abuse of Public Funds, Minority and Women Businesses, and Minority/Disadvantaged Contractors. Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels.

See Appendix B in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of PPAC Hearing Files.

LP441:852-857

Series 7 Assembly Health Committee Subject File 1988-1992

Physical Description: 6 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

The Assembly Health Committee Files were created while Richard Polanco was a member of this committee and pertain to issues of interest to the committee. Topics include: Chaptered Legislation/Rules and Procedures, Developmental Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities/Lanterman Center, Developmental Disabilities: Protection and Advocacy, Emergency Broadcasts for the Deaf/ Hearing Impaired, and Speeches to the Society of California Care Home Operators. Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels.

LP441:858-865

Series 8 Assembly Mental Health Subcommittee Subject Files 1986-1989

Physical Description: 8 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

The Assembly Mental Health Subcommittee Subject Files were created by Richard Polanco while he served as subcommittee chair and concern issues of interest to the subcommittee. Topics include: Adolescent Psychiatric Commitment, Minority Mental Health, Minority Mental Health Conference, Riese Court Decision, and Rights of Minors. Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels.

LP441:866-874

Series 9 Joint Mental Health Research Committee Files 1986-1991

Physical Description: 9 file folders

Arrangement

The Joint Mental Health Research Committee Files consist of two subseries: Subject Files and Reports. Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Reports are arranged chronologically by report date.

Scope and Content Note

The Joint Mental Health Research Committee Files were created by Richard Polanco while he served as joint committee chair. Joint Mental Health Research Committee Subject Files pertain to issues of interest to the Joint committee. Topics include: ACR10 Budget Realignments, Committee Advisory Panel, Committee Focus and Funding, Committee Focus and Press, Newsletters, Schizophrenia and Biotechnology, and Violent Youth Offenders. Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels.

Joint Mental Health Research Committee Reports include: "Mental Health Research Priorities and Organization Questionnaires" drafted by the Committee Advisory Panel; and "Preventing Serious Mental Illness: California's Strategic Choice," created by the Joint Mental Health Research Committee.

LP441:875-907

Series 10 Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Files 1985-1990

Physical Description: 33 file folders and 2 audiocassettes

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

The series are organized into the following subseries: Bill Files, Hearing Files, Subject Files, Reports, and Correspondence. Bill Files are arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number. Reports are arranged chronologically by report date. Correspondence Files are arranged chronologically by correspondence date, and Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

The Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Files also include files from the Assembly Economic Development, International Trade, and Technologies Committee. Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Bill Files may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and statements that pertain to numerous issues of concern to the committee.

1989-1990: AB222-AB3625; AJR21-AJR40 (3ff) LP441:875-877

1989-1990: SB69-SB2714; SCR46; SJR24-SJR68 (6ff) LP441:878-883

Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Reports include: "The Impact of Defense and Aerospace Spending on California's Economic Development: A Briefing paper," drafted by the Assembly Office of Research; "Impact of Federal Expenditures on California," drafted by the Commission on State Finance; and "Feasibility of Using existing Resources in Analyzing the Employment Effects of Federal Expenditures," drafted by the Employment Development Department.

Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Subject Files include such topics as: Federal Expenditures Information Working Group, Memos from Sam Farr, and The State of the State's Economy. Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels.

Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Correspondence File includes a single file folder, LP441:907, of correspondence from April through May, 1990, between Richard Polanco and legislative consultant, David Pacheco, regarding legislation pertaining to international trade agreements.

Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Hearing Files include notes, transcripts, background materials, correspondence, and/or agendas from a number of hearings held before the committee.

See Appendix B in master finding aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Hearing Files.

LP441:908-916

Series 11 Assembly California-Mexico Affairs Select Committee Files 1987-1990

Physical Description: 9 file folders

Arrangement

Assembly California-Mexico Affairs Select Committee Files include the following subseries: Hearing Files, Reports, Subject Files, and Correspondence. Reports are arranged chronologically by report date. Correspondence Files are arranged chronologically by correspondence date. Hearing Files are arranged chronologically by hearing date, and Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

Assembly California-Mexico Affairs Select Committee Files were created by Richard Polanco while he served as select committee chair. Assembly California-Mexico Affairs Select Committee Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels. Topics include: Binational Bonding Authority and California-Mexico Infrastructure Bonding Authority.

Assembly California-Mexico Affairs Select Committee Reports include: "Strengthening California-Mexico Relations: A Report of the California State Task Force on California-Mexico Relations," "Mission Report: U. S. Agricultural Trade and Development Mission," and "Latin America Outlook: Brazil and Mexico."

Assembly California-Mexico Affairs Select Committee Correspondence Files include correspondence dated from May 1989 through November 1990 and relate to the formation of the committee, the Fourth Annual Summer Institute on Mexico and the United States-held in Queretaro, Mexico from June 30 through July 4, 1989-and environmental and economic concerns of California and Mexico.

Assembly California-Mexico Affairs Select Committee Hearing Files include notes, transcripts, background materials, correspondence, and/or agendas from a number of hearings held before the committee. Hearings include: California-Mexico Joint Bonding Authority, held on December 7, 1989 in La Jolla; and U. S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement, held on October 24, 1990 in Sacramento.

LP441:917-924

Series 12 Latino Legislative Caucus Files 1991-2000

Physical Description: 8 file folders

Arrangement

Latino Legislative Caucus Files are comprised of Subject Files and Reports. Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Reports are arranged chronologically by report date.

Scope and Content Note

Latino Legislative Caucus Files were created while Richard Polanco served as caucus chair. Latino Legislative Caucus Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels. Topics include: Bilingual Education, California Latino Agricultural Association, Freeze-Affected Agricultural Workers, and Water: Floods. The Reports include "Latinos at a Crossroads: Challenges and Opportunities into the 21st Century," a collection of Latino Legislative Caucus Hearings, and Legislative Agendas and Related Papers.

LP441:925-929

Series 13 Assembly International Trade and Business Development Subcommittee Hearing Files 1991-1992

Physical Description: 5 file folders

Arrangement

Assembly International Trade and Business Development Subcommittee Hearing Files are arranged chronologically by hearing date.

Scope and Content Note

Assembly International Trade and Business Development Subcommittee Hearing Files were created by Richard Polanco while he served as subcommittee chair. Hearing Files may include notes, transcripts, background materials, correspondence, and/or agendas from a number of hearings held before the committee. Hearings include: Electric/Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Mass Transportation Systems, held on December 16, 1991, in Los Angeles; and Oversight Hearing (Insurance/Business Claims), held on October 26, 1992, in Los Angeles.

LP441:930-944

Series 14 Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee #4 Files 2001

Physical Description: 15 file folders

Arrangement

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee #4 Files were created by Richard Polanco while he served as subcommittee chair, and are comprised of Agenda Files and Subject Files. Agenda Files are arranged chronologically by hearing date, ranging from March through May 2001, and Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee #4 Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels. Topics include: Department of General Services (Leases) and Excess Vacancies.

LP441:945-966

Series 15 Corcoran State Prison Hearing Files 1997-1998

Physical Description: 22 file folders

Access Information

The Corcoran State Prison Hearing Files are restricted from public access under Government Code section 7923.600-7923.625 (formerly section 6254(f)) as they are investigative files, and Civil Code section 1798.24 (disclosure of personal information).

Arrangement

Corcoran State Prison Hearing Files are arranged per the order established by the records creator.

Scope and Content Note

The Corcoran State Prison Hearing Files were created while Richard Polanco served as chair of the Joint Committee on Prison Construction and Operations, and include extensive background information and supplemental materials related to the hearing. In 1997-1998, a joint tribunal, including Senator Ruben Ayala, Prison Management Select Committee Chair, Senator John Vasconcellos, Public Safety Committee Chair, Assemblyman Don Perata, Public Safety Committee Chair, and Senator Polanco, convened to investigate prison guard brutality, administrative corruption, and agency cover-ups at Corcoran State Prison.

LP441:967-980

Series 16 Prisoner Correspondence Files 1990-2000

Physical Description: 14 file folders

Access Information

The Prisoner Correspondence Files are restricted from public access under Government Code section 7923.600-7923.625 (formerly section 6254(f)) as they are investigative files, and Civil Code section 1798.24 (disclosure of personal information).

Arrangement

Prisoner Correspondence Files are arranged per the order established by the records creator.

Scope and Content Note

The Prisoner Correspondence Files were compiled by Richard Polanco during the 1990s. The correspondence concerns individual inmate appeals and inmate grievances against their various, respective correctional facilities.

Series Descriptions