Inventory of the Richard Katz Papers

Processed by Kim Mitchell
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/
© 2008
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Inventory of the Richard Katz Papers

Collection number: LP392

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California
Processed by:
Kim Mitchell
Date Completed:
December 2008
Encoded by:
Jessica Knox
© 2008 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Richard Katz Papers
Dates: 1980-1996
Collection number: LP392
Creator: Richard Katz, California Legislator
Collection Size: 29 cubic feet of textual records, and 2 boxes of audio/visual materials containing 14 videocassettes and 36 audio cassetes
Repository: California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Richard Katz was first elected to represent the 39th Assembly district in 1980, and served until 1996, when he termed out of office. The Richard Katz Papers consist of 29 cubic feet of textual records and 2 boxes of audio/visual records reflecting Katz's legislative activities during his 16-year career in the State Assembly.
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], Richard Katz Papers, LP392:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition and Custodial History

The California State Archives acquired the Richard Katz Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.

Biography

Democratic Assembly Member Richard Katz was born in Los Angeles on August 16, 1950. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, San Diego. Katz established a graphic art and printing business in 1975. During the mid-1970s, Katz was active in the Santa Monica Democratic Club (among several other business and community organizations). Katz was a volunteer aide to San Francisco Mayor George Mascone during his 1973 gubernatorial campaign. In what was considered a "Republican landslide year" (Who's Who, 1981), the voters of the 39th Assembly District elected Katz on November 4, 1980, with 50% of the vote, defeating the one-term Republican incumbent.
Katz's sixteen consecutive years in the Assembly indicate that communities such as Pacoima, Sepulveda, San Fernando, and Panorama City (municipalities included in the 39th District varied over the years) felt well represented by Katz. Katz held the post of Assembly Democratic Minority Floor Leader in 1996. His legislative interests include hazardous waste, public health, law enforcement, traffic management, and small business and consumer protection. Assembly Member Pringle introduced House Resolution 76 on August 5, 1996, commending the Honorable Richard Katz for his "exemplary service."
Unable to stay in office due to term limit laws, Katz returned home to Sylmar in 1996 with his wife, Gini Barrett, and their numerous pets. Katz was later appointed by Governor Gray Davis to the California State Water Resources Control Board (2001-2006).
According to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks) and the Assembly Final History, Katz served on the following committees:

State Assembly, 1980-1996

  • Standing Committees
  • Aging and Long-Term Care, 1985
  • Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials, 1981-1982
  • Economic Development and New Technologies
  • *Vice-Chair, 1983-1984
  • Economic Development and Planning
  • *Vice-Chair, 1981-1982
  • Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments, 1991-1992
  • Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, 1985-1992
  • Finance and Insurance, 1987-1990
  • Government Organization, 1995
  • Housing and Community Development, 1981-1982
  • Policy Research Management
  • *Chair, 1983-1984
  • Televising the Assembly and Information Technology, 1995
  • Transportation
  • *Chair, 1985-1995
  • Utilities and Commerce, 1983
  • Water, Parks and Wildlife, 1981-1982, 1989-1992, 1995
  • *Vice-Chair, 1983-1984
  • Ways and Means, 1983-1984
  • Select Committees
  • Ethics, 1990
  • Insolvency of Orange County, 1995-1996
  • Olympic Oversight, 1983-1984
  • Policy Research Management, 1987
  • Small Business, 1990
  • *Chair 1982-1984, 1987-1988
  • Utility Performance, Rates and Regulations, 1982
  • Veteran's Affairs, 1982
  • Joint Committees
  • Rules, 1996

Scope and Content

The Richard Katz Papers consist of 29 cubic feet of textual records and 2 boxes of audio/visual records reflecting Katz's legislative activities during his 16-year career in the State Assembly. The records are organized into the following series: Bill Files, Chronological Files, Local Issues Files, Native American Remains (Repatriation) Files, Toxic Pits Files, Transportation Files, Small Business Files, Subject Files, and Audio/Visual Materials. The Bill Files document much of Katz's prolific legislative authorship during his term as a member of the California State Legislature. The Chronological Files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence. The Local Issues Files relate to the events and needs of the communities of the 39th Assembly District. The Native American Remains (Repatriation) Files relate to AB2577 (1989-1990, vetoed) and AB12 (1991-1992, Chapter 370). These two bills concern the issue of repatriation of Native American human remains, the Lowie Museum of Anthropology at University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles Museum of Cultural History. The Toxic Pits Files primarily relate to The Toxic Pits Cleanup Act of 1984 (AB3566, Chapter 1543), which addresses the issue of the toxic contamination of the state's underground water supply caused by leakage from waste-disposal ponds ("toxic pits"). The Transportation Files reflect the variety of legislation that the Assembly Transportation Committee reviewed during much of Katz's chairmanship (1985-1995) of that committee. The Small Business Files relate to the legislation and projects reviewed by the Assembly Select Small Business Committee during Katz's first chairmanship (1981-1984). The Subject Files contain 28 subjects, four of which have sub-topics of their own. These four are: "Dolphin Bill," "Dunsmuir Spill," "Finance and Insurance," and "Super Agency Bill." The Audio/Visual materials relate to many of the collection's significant topics, such as Native American remains and repatriation, the insurance industry, graffiti, and the solicitation of drugs and prositution.
While the bills introduced by Katz include a wide array of subjects, Katz's primary concerns included environmental health and safety, traffic management, and emphasized community and youth issues. Some notable legislation introduced by Katz in the Assembly included The Equal Access to Justice Act (AB13, 1981-1982), The Water Marketing Act (AB3491, 1981-1982), The California Small Business Office of Advocacy (AB1592, 1983-1984), The Toxic Pits Cleanup Act (AB3566, 1983-1984), Work Time Credits (AB499, 1985-1986 and AB113 and AB2716, 1993-1994), The California Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (AB2833, 1987-1988), The Children's Poison Protection Act (AB4160, 1989-1990), The "Kids Vote!" Program (AB169, 1991-1992), The Arson Information Reporting System (AB2336, 1993-1994), Loitering and Solicitation (AB1035, 1995-1996), and The Oil Pipeline Environmental Responsibility Act (AB1868, 1995-1996).
Audiocassettes and videocassettes have been separated to a cold-storage vault for preservation purposes and separation sheets are in the files to alert the researcher to the existence of these items.

Note

The researcher should be aware that there is much topical crossover between the series within this collection. For example, files concerning the topic of Lopez Canyon may be found in Bill Files, Local Issues Files, Toxic Pits Files, and Subject Files.

Related Material at the California State Archives

Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee
Assembly Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials Committee
Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee
Assembly Economic Development and Planning Committee
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee
Assembly Finance and Insurance Committee
Assembly Government Organization Committee
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee
Assembly Transportation Committee
Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee
Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
Assembly Ways and Means Committee
California Native American Heritage Commission

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Katz, Richard
Transportation
Repatriation


LP392:1-189

Series 1 Bill Files 1981-1996

Physical Description: 189 file folders

Arrangement

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

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

The files may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, background, and committee statements. Katz's legislative interests included hazardous waste, public health, law enforcement, traffic management, and small business and consumer protection. Some notable legislation introduced by Katz in the Assembly included The Water Marketing Act (AB3491, 1981-1982), The California Small Business Office of Advocacy bill (AB1592, 1983-1984), The Toxic Pits Cleanup Act (AB3566, 1983-1984), Work Time Credits bills (AB499, 1985-1986 and AB113 and AB2716, 1993-1994), The California Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (AB2833, 1987-1988), The Children's Poison Protection Act (AB4160, 1989-1990), The Arson Information Reporting System bill (AB2336, 1993-1994), and Loitering and Solicitation bill (AB1035, 1995-1996).
Audiocassettes and videocassettes have been separated to a cold-storage vault for preservation purposes and separation sheets are in the files to alert the researcher to the existence of these items.
1981-1982: AB13-AB3662; ACR7-ACR138; AJR14-AJR110 (40ff) LP392:1-40
1983-1984: AB7-AB3566; ACR100-ACR147;AJR44-AJR69; AB1XX (32ff) LP392:41-72
1985-1986: AB6-AB4019; ACR11-ACR127; AJR103; HR43 (17ff) LP392:73-89
1987-1988: AB10-AB4162; ACR9-ACR163; AJR13 (24ff) LP392:90-113
1989-1990: AB13-AB4161; ACR4-ACR130 (20ff) LP392:114-133
1991-1992: AB12-AB3798; ACR3-ACR128;AJR90-AJR98; AB28X-AB30X; HR29 (16ff) LP392:134-159
1993-1994: AB52-AB3724; ACR82-ACR111; AJR5;AB6X-AB138X; HR35; SB750 (17ff) LP392:160-176
1995-1996: AB12-AB1868; ACR4-ACR27 (13ff) LP392:177-189
LP392:190-202

Series 2 Chronological Files 1980-1991 1995

Physical Description: 13 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

Chronological files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence including: requisitions for office supplies, recommendations for filling appointments, event invitations, hearing notices, and constituent letters. Files may also include topical background research and administrative documents such as daily schedules.
LP392:203-325

Series 3 Local Issues Files 1980-1996

Physical Description: 123 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Local Issues Files may include correspondence, photographs, reports, newsclippings, memoranda, press statements, analysis, background materials, constituent support/opposition, and related court cases. The Local Issues Files relate to the events and needs of the communities of the 39th Assembly District. Key subjects include the Lopez Canyon Landfill; the "Save Wilson Canyon" campaign; the 39th Assembly District Democratic Committee; Rockwell Aerospace and/or Santa Susana Laboratory; and the San Fernando Valley Rail Transit Project.
LP392:326-370

Series 4 Native American Remains (Repatriation) Files 1989-1991

Physical Description: 45 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Native American Remains Files may include correspondence, photographs, reports, newsclippings, memoranda, press statements, analysis, background materials, constituent support/opposition, and related court cases. The Native American Remains Files relate to AB2577 (1989-1990, vetoed) and AB12 (1991-1992, Chapter 370). Reflecting Katz's interest in equality, these two bills concern the issue of the repatriation of Native American human remains, the Lowie Museum of Anthropology at University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles Museum of Cultural History. Key subjects include University of California, Nebraska LB340 (1989), Arizona SB1412 (1990), and Federal S978 (1990).
LP392:371-502

Series 5 Toxic Pits Files 1980-1996

Physical Description: 132 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Toxic Pits Files may include correspondence, photographs, reports, newsclippings, memoranda, press statements, bill analyses, background materials, constituent support/opposition, and related court cases. The Toxic Pits Files primarily relate to The Toxic Pits Cleanup Act of 1984 (AB3566, Chapter 1543), which addresses the issue of the toxic contamination of the state's underground water supply caused by leakage from waste-disposal ponds ("toxic pits"). Key subjects include Proposition 65 (1986); Surface Impoundments; and The Toxic Pits Cleanup Act of 1984 (AB3566, Chapter 1543).
LP392:503-536

Series 6 Transportation Files 1981-1991

Physical Description: 33 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Transportation Files may include correspondence, photographs, reports, newsclippings, memoranda, press statements, analysis, background materials, constituent support and opposition, and related court cases. Reflecting Katz's legislative emphasis on vehicle efficiency and traffic management, the Transportation Files contain an assortment of projects that the Assembly Transportation Committee considered during much of Katz's chairmanship (1985-1995) of that committee. Key subjects include the Los Angeles County Transit Commission; the Congestion Management Plan; the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority; Tunnel Closures; and Childcare Facilities at Transit Centers.
LP392:537-604

Series 7 Small Business Files 1981-1984

Physical Description: 68 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Small Business Files may include correspondence, photographs, reports, newsclippings, memoranda, press statements, analysis, background materials, constituent support and opposition, and related court cases. As a small businessperson himself, Katz advocated for this community and his actions are reflected in the Small Business Files. These files concern legislation and projects considered by the Assembly Select Small Business Committee under Katz's chairmanship (1981-1984). Key subjects include the Federal Paperwork Reduction Act of 1983, Records Management, Job Development, California SB1499 (1982), and Master Licensing.
Audiocassettes and videocassettes have been separated to a cold-storage vault for preservation purposes and separation sheets are in the files to alert the researcher to the existence of these items.
LP392:605-711

Series 8 Subject Files 1980-1996

Physical Description: 106 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files may include correspondence, photographs, reports, newsclippings, memoranda, press statements, analysis, background materials, constituent support/opposition, and related court cases. The subject files contain 28 subjects, four of which have sub-topics of their own. These four are: "Dolphin Bill," "Dunsmuir Spill," "Finance and Insurance," and "Super Agency Bill."
Audiocassettes and videocassettes have been separated to a cold-storage vault for preservation purposes and separation sheets are in the files to alert the researcher to the existence of these items. Please see Appendix A in Master Finding Aid at the California State Archives for a complete list of subject headings.
LP392:712-726

Series 9 Audio/Visual Material 1980-1996

Physical Description: 1 audiocassette and 14 videocassettes

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

These Audio/Visual materials relate to many of the collection's significant topics, such as Native American remains, the insurance industry, solicitation, and graffiti.
Audiocassettes and videocassettes have been put into a cold-storage vault for preservation purposes. Please see Appendix B in Master Finding Aid at the California State Archives for a list of audio/visual items in this series.