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Title: Guide to the Richard Floyd Papers
Dates: 1980-2000
Collection number: LP446
Creator:
Richard, Floyd
Collection Size:
31 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The Richard Floyd Papers consist of 31 cubic feet of textual records and audio visual materials and cover the years 1979 to
2000.
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 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.
[Identification of item], Richard Floyd Papers, LP446:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary
of State, Sacramento, California.
Richard Floyd, a Democrat, served California as a State Assembly Member from 1980 through 1992, and again from 1996 through
2000. Beginning in 1980, Floyd represented the 53rd Assembly District, sprawling over southern Los Angeles skipping around
the city of Torrence and encompassing the cities of Carson, Hawthorne, Gardena, Lawndale and small portions of the cities
of Los Angeles and Redondo Beach. He maintained his seat until 1992 when the reapportioning of district lines moved Floyd
to the 55th district where his reelection efforts failed. After a four year hiatus, Floyd found himself representing the
55th Assembly District, which sits north of the Los Angeles harbor area and includes the city of Carson, parts of Compton,
Los Angeles and Long Beach. The district also contained the communities of Harbor City, West Carson, Wilmington, and part
of West Compton. Floyd represented the district until 2000 when he reached his term limit.
Richard Floyd was born February 3, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Southern California. He served in the
United States Army and was a decorated combat veteran of the Korean Conflict. After serving in the military Floyd worked
as a salesman before landing a job as an aide to Senator Ralph Dills from 1969 until 1980, leaving after winning his Assembly
seat. Floyd quickly gained recognition as a senator and received recognition as Freshman Legislator of the Year and also Legislator
of the Year in his first term by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Floyd became known for his loud, abrasive, crude and even
profane style of politicking. The chain smoking Floyd was often outspoken of his beliefs and was once even threatened of
censure after calling Governor Deukmejian, "the most hardheaded s.o.b.," in the State Capital after the Governor vetoed Floyd's
motorcycle helmet law in 1988. In 1991 Governor Pete Wilson signed a version of Floyd's motorcycle helmet bill into law proving
one of his greatest political accomplishments alongside the creation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Capitol Park.
California State Assembly, 1981-1992, 1997-2000
Standing Committees
Constitutional Amendments, 1985-1986
Criminal Justice, 1981-1982
Economic Development and Planning 1981-1982
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, 1989-1990
Finance and Insurance, 1989-1990
Governmental Organization 1983-1992, 1997-2000
*Chair, 1987-1990
Human Services, 1983-1984
Insurance, 1991-1992
Judiciary, 1991-1992
Labor and Employment, 1981-1988, 1991-1992
*Chair, 1983-1986
Labor and Government, 1997-1998
*Chair, 1997-1998
Public Employees and Retirement, 1985-1986
Revenue and Taxation, 1985-1986
Rules, 1981-1982
Utilities and Commerce, 1991-1992
Water, Parks, and Wildlife, 1981-1982
Subcommittees
Finance and Insurance – Subcommittee on Health and Workers' Insurance, 1989-1990
Governmental Organization – Subcommittee on Alcohol Regulations, 1989-1990
*Chair, 1989-1990
Governmental Organization – Subcommittee on Arts and Athletics, 1989-1990
Governmental Organization – Subcommittee on Horse Breeding and Ownership 1989-1990
Labor and Employment – Subcommittee on Agricultural Labor Relations, 1981-1982
Labor and Employment – Subcommittee on Amusement Ride Safety, 1981-1984
*Chair, 1983-1984
Labor and Employment – Subcommittee on Child Labor, 1981-1982
*Chair, 1981-1982
Labor and Employment – Subcommittee on Employee Assistance Programs and Drug and Alcohol Abuse at the Workplace, 1985-1986
Labor and Employment – Subcommittee on Safety in the Workplace 1987-1988
*Chair, 1987-1988
Select Committees
Construction Issues, 1989-1990
Corridors of Economic Significance, 1997-1998
Fair Employment Practices, 1981-1982
Hazardous Materials, Pipeline, Chemical Plant and Refinery Safety, 1989-1990
Homeless Veterans, 1999-2000
*Chair, 1999-2000
To Divide California – 1991-1992
Unlicensed Contractors – 1987-1988
Utility Performance, Rates and Regulation, 1983-1984
*Chair, 1983-1984
Veteran's Affairs, 1981-1984, 1997-1998
*Chair, 1981-1984, 1997-1998
Joint Committees
Audit Committee
Fairs Allocation and Classification, 1983-1992
Prison, Legislative, 1983-1984
Prison Construction and Operations, 1985-1992
Boards, Commissions, Etc
Commission for Economic Development, 1983-1984
State Job Training Coordinating Council, 1983-1988
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission, 1983-1988
Commission for Economic Development, 1987-1988
Special Committees
Special Committee on Los Angeles Crisis, 1991-1992
The Richard Floyd Papers consist of 31 cubic feet of textual records and audio visual materials and cover the years 1979 to
2000. The records are organized into the following record series: Bill Records, 1981-1982; Bill Files, 1981-1992, 1997-2000;
Subject Files, 1979-1987; Sports and Entertainment Subcommittee Hearing Files, 1985-1986; Sports and Entertainment Subcommittee
Subject Files, 1982-1986; Prison Construction and Operations Joint Committee Hearing Files, 1985-1986; and Prison Construction
and Operations Joint Committee Subject Files, 1979-1988. The Bill Records provide a summary of the bills introduced by Floyd
during the 1981-1982 legislative session. The Bill Files document his legislative activity during his term as a member of
the California State Legislature and are the bulk of the collection. Floyd was known for introducing many bills with his primary
concerns as employment development, education, labor relations, and fiscal affairs. The Prison Construction and Operations
Joint Committee Subject Files also make up a large portion of the collection and provide insight into Floyd's interests of
public safety and job creation.
Richard Floyd fought vigorously for Sacramento's mandatory motorcycle helmet law throughout his tenure as a member of the
California Assembly. Floyd introduced various versions of a motorcycle helmet law beginning in his first session as an assemblyman.
Floyd endured intimidation from a cornucopia of motorcycle groups for his efforts but rather than cowering down Floyd relished
in the opposition and continued to fight for the cause. A version of the bill passed in 1988 but did not make it passed Governor
Deukmejian's desk. Floyd prevailed in 1991 when Governor Pete Wilson signed AB7 into law. Richard Floyd introduced Assembly
Bill 650, which created the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Capitol Park, which was signed into law by Governor Deukmejian
in September 1983 and continued to show support for veterans by providing an additional State Veterans Home in Southern California
to meet the needs of the three million veterans living in California. Floyd served on the Prison Construction and Operations
Joint Committee authoring laws to put hundreds of thousands of jail inmates to work cleaning up parks and highways. Floyd
advocated for more jobs, greater job security, and a healthier work environment for California's working men and women. When
Cal-OSHA was abolished through a loss of funding in the budget, Floyd led the fight to restore the funds, and he continued
to take a leading role in the campaign to keep the program by placing Cal-OSHA on the ballot, where it was approved by voters.
No further accruals are expected.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Public safety
Education - California
Motorcycle helmets