Guide to the Richard Floyd Papers

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/

Guide to the Richard Floyd Papers

Collection number: LP446

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Processed by:: Michael McNeil
Date Completed:: January 2013
Encoded by:: Ignacio Sanchez-Alonso

Descriptive Summary

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

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 Floyd Papers, LP446:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Biography

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

Scope and Content

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.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Indexing Terms

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

LP446:1

Series 1 Bill Records 1981-1982

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Bill Records are arranged numerically by bill number.

Scope and Content Note

Bill Records provide a summary of the bills introduced by Richard Floyd during the 1981-1982 legislative session. Summaries note whether the bill was chaptered, died, or dropped.

LP446:2-437

Series 2 Bill Files 1997-2000

Physical Description: 436 file folders

Arrangement

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

Scope and Content Note

Bill Files were created by Richard Floyd while he served as a State Assembly Member from 1981-1992 and again from 1997-2000. The bill files may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and committee statements. The bill files include amendments, analyses, letters and position statements in support of opposition, Legislative Counsel Opinions and conflict letters, author's floor and committee statements and press releases, newspaper clipping, background information, and other documents regarding implementation.

The bills introduced by Floyd concerned a wide array of subjects including employment development, education, and labor relations. He authored bills concerning sports wagering (AB3303, 1983-1984; AB557, 1987-1988); horse racing (AB1986, 1983-1984; AB700, 1985-1986; AB310, 1987-1988; AB170, 1989-1990; AB 159, AB160, 1991-1992; AB2344, 1999-2000); alcohol regulations (AB3740, 1989-1990; AB140, AB432 1991-1992; AB569, 1997-1998); worker's compensation (AB539, AB1399, 1983-1984; AB686, AB3068, 1984-1985; AB1883, AB1884, 1987-1988) veteran affairs (AJR83, 1981-1982; AB650, AB3356 1983-1984; AB285, 1985-1986; AB427, 1987-1988) and mandatory helmets for motorcycle riders (AB996, 1981-1982; AB2489, 1983-1984; AB36, 1987-1988; AB8, 1989-1990; AB7, 1991-1992).

1981-1982 AB17-AB3742, ACA59, ACR107-140, AJR49-85, AB30X-33X (36ff) LP446:2-37

1983-1984 AB17-AB4007, ACA43, ACR130-ACR165, AJR2-AJR137 (65ff) LP446:38-102

1985-1986 AB119-AB4290, ACA33, ACR53-ACR170, AJR35-AJR76 (52ff) LP446:103-154

1987-1988 AB36-AB4569, ACA9-ACA33, AJR56-AJR69 (96ff) LP446:155-250

1989-1990 AB8-AB3971, ACA8-ACA140, AJR9-AJR76 (84ff) LP446:251-334

1991-1992 AB7-AB3824, ACA37-ACA42, ACR65, AB7X (62ff) LP446:335-396

1997-1998 AB258-AB2208, ACR2-ACR154, AJR4-AJR67, HR61,AB15X (24ff) LP446:397-420

1999-2000 AB66-AB2350, ACA22, ACR94, AJR8 (17ff) LP446:421-437

LP446:438-462

Series 3 Subject Files 1979-1987

Physical Description: 25 file folders. 3 audio cassettes. 13 slides

Arrangement

Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and interest group memoranda. Some topics and issues covered include bingo, earthquake preparedness, lottery, and an interim hearing held on 10/16/1986 by the Assembly Government Organization Subcommittee.

See Appendix A in master finding aid and archives website for a complete list of folder titles in the Subject Files.

LP446:463-463A

Series 4 Sports and Entertainment Subcommittee Hearing Files 1985-1986

Physical Description: 2 file folders. 2 audio cassettes.

Arrangement

Hearing files are arranged chronologically by hearing date.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

The Sports and Entertainment Subcommittee hearing files were created during Floyd's tenure on the subcommittee. Topics covered include sport safety, steroid use, and anti piracy of sporting events. Records include agendas, brochures, memorandums, newspaper clippings, reports, and testimonies.

LP446:464-483

Series 5 Sports and Entertainment Subcommittee Subject Files 1982-1986

Physical Description: 21 file folders

Arrangement

Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files may include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and interest group memoranda. Some topics and issues covered include drugs in sports, major film corporations and nonmetropolitan filming.

See Appendix B in master finding aid and archives website for a complete list of folder titles in the Sports and Entertainment Subcommittee Subject Files.

LP446:484-490

Series 6 Prison Construction and Operations Joint Committee Hearing Files 1985-1986

Physical Description: 7 file folders

Arrangement

Prison Construction and Operations Joint Committee Hearing files are arranged chronologically by hearing date.

Access Information

The Prison Construction and Operations Joint Committee Hearing Files are restricted from public access under Government Code section 7923.600-7923.625 7927.3 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(f), Investigative Files) and Civil Code section 1794.24 (disclosure of personal information).

Scope and Content Note

The Joint Committee on Prison Construction and Operations Hearing Files were created while Richard Floyd served on the Joint Committee on Prison Construction and Operations, and include extensive background information and supplemental materials related to the hearings. Hearing topics include new prison sites in Amador, Del Norte, Kings, San Diego, San Joaquin counties, and new medical treatment facilities for inmates. Types of records found in this series include newspaper clippings, correspondence, agendas, reports, newsletters, letters of support and letters of opposition.

LP446:491-569

Series 7 Prison Construction and Operations Joint Committee Subject Files 1979-1988

Physical Description: 79 file folders. 1 audio cassette

Arrangement

Prison Construction and Operations Joint Committee Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Access Information

Scope and Content Note

The Joint Committee on Prison Construction and Operations Subject Files were created while Richard Floyd served on the Joint Committee on Prison Construction and Operations, and include topic such as population estimates and forecasting, correspondence, and various prison construction projects. Bill analyses, correspondence, newspaper clippings, reports, and support letters are some of the types of records found in this series.

See Appendix C in master finding aid and archives website for a complete list of folder titles in the Prison Construction and Operations Joint Committee Subject Files.