Guide to the David Kelley 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/
© 2014
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Guide to the David Kelley Papers
Collection number: LP444
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- Processed by:
- Michael McNeil
- Date Completed:
- January 2013
- Encoded by:
- Ignacio Sanchez-Alonso
© 2014 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: David Kelley Papers
Dates: 1979-2002
Collection number: LP444
Creator:
Kelley, David
Collection Size:
18 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: David Kelley, a Republican, served California as a State Assembly Member from 1979 through 1992, as a State Senator from 1993
through 2000, and again as a State Assembly Member from 2000 through 2001. The David Kelley Papers consist of 18 cubic feet
of textual records and cover the years 1981 to 2002. The records are organized into the following record series: Bill Records,
1979-1986; Bill Files, 1981-2002; Correspondence, 1979-1987; and Press Releases, 1981-1983.
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], David Kelley Papers, LP444:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of
State, Sacramento, California.
Biography
David Kelley, a Republican, served California as a State Assembly Member from 1979 through 1992, as a State Senator from 1993
through 2000, and again as a State Assembly Member from 2000 through 2001. Kelley is one of the "Proposition 13 Babies" elected
during the tax revolt of 1978, defeating incumbent Democrat Tom Suitt. He represented the 75th Assembly District, a large
portion of western Riverside County, which included the cities of Corona, Hemet, Norco, San Jacinto, Palm Springs, and parts
of Lake Elsinore and Riverside. Kelley won reelection in 1982 to represent the newly reapportioned 73rd Assembly District,
which covered a large portion of western Riverside County, including the cities of Corona, Hemet, Norco, San Jacinto, Palm
Springs, and parts of Lake Elisnore and Riverside. In 1992, he won election as State Senator to represent the 37th Senatorial
District, spanning the southeast corner of the state. The district includes all of Imperial County and most of eastern Riverside
and San Diego counties. It includes the cities of Blythe, Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert
Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Poway, Rancho Mirage,
Santee, Westmoreland, and parts of Escondido and San Diego. Other communities included are Alpine, Borrego Springs, Lakeside,
Ramona Rancho San Diego, Thousand Palms, Valle Vista, Winter Gardens and part of Spring Valley. After representing the 37th
Senatorial District for eight years David Kelley returned to the Assembly after reaching his term limits. Kelley served the
80th Assembly District for one term (2001-2002), a district that covered much of the same constituents that Kelley served
as State Senator including all of Imperial County and the eastern half of Riverside County, the cities of Blythe, Brawley,
Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperia, Indian Wells, Indio, La
Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Westermored, and the communities of Thousand Palms and Valle Vista. Kelley
did not seek reelection after voting for the 2001 budget. Along with Kelley, three other Republicans voted for the budget.
One did not seek reelection and the other two failed to maintain their seats during the next election.
David Kelley was born on October 11, 1928, in Riverside, California. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo where he majored in citrus fruit production. He interrupted his education to serve as a U.S. Air Force pilot
in the Korean Conflict. In 1970 and 1971 Kelley served in the Peace Corps in southern India, supervising trainees for service
projects. He has been a citrus rancher for more than 50 years in the Hemet area. Kelley has been active in the Riverside County
Farm Bureau since 1955, serving as vice president and president for eight years. He also has served on the board of the California
Farm Bureau Federation. He and his wife, Brigitte, have four grown children and ten grandchildren. Kelley is a member of the
Trinity Lutheran Church in Hemet.
California State Assembly, 1979-1992, 2001-2002
Standing Committees
Agriculture, 1979-1984, 1987-1992, 2001-2002
Budget, 2001-2002
Economic Development and New Technologies, 1986-1987
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, 1987-1990
Health, 1989-1992
Intergovernmental Relations, 1985-1986
Transportation, 1979-1980
Labor and Employment, 1981-1982, 1985-1986, 1991-1992
Local Government, 1987-1988
Veterans Affairs, 1985-1986
*Vice Chair, 1985-1986
Water, Parks, and Wildlife, 1979-1992, 2001-2002
*Vice Chair, 1979-1982, 1987-1988, 1991-1992
Ways and Means, 1981-1984
Subcommittees
Agriculture - Subcommittee on Livestock and Dairy, 1983-1984
Agriculture - Subcommittee on Medfly Eradication Project, 1981-1982
Budget – Subcommittee #3 Resources, 2001-2002
Economic Development and New Technologies – Subcommittee on Biotechnology, 1985-1986
Economic Development and New Technologies – Subcommittee on International Trade, Investment and Tourism, 1985-1986
Economic Development and New Technologies – Subcommittee on Rural Economic Development, 1985-1986
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials – Subcommittee on Emergency Response Preparedness, 1987-1988
Health – Subcommittee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse, 1989-1990
Rules – Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response, 2001-2002
Transportation - Subcommittee on Air Quality, 1979-1980
Ways and Means - Subcommittee #3 Resources and Transportation, 1983-1984
Select Committees
Agricultural Fumigants and Their Alternatives, 1981-1982
Aviation, 1983-1988
Biotechnology, 2001-2002
CALFED, 2001-2002
California – Mexico Affairs, 2001-2002
Department of Motor Vehicles, 2001-2002
Earthquake and Safety Preparedness, 2001-2002
Farm Labor, 1979-1980
*Chair, 1979-1980
Highway Patrol, 2001-2002
International Trade, Investment, and Tourism, 1983-1984
International Water Treatment and Reclamation, 1983-1984
Underground Water Quality, 2001-2002
Joint Committees
Fairs Allocation and Classification, 1985-1992
California State Senate, 1993-2000
Standing Committees
Agriculture and Water Resources, 1993-2000
*Vice Chair
Appropriations, 1993-2000
Business and Professions, 1993-2000
Constitutional Amendments, 1995-2000
Chair 1995-1998
Energy, Utilities, and Communications 1995-2000
Investment and International Trade 1993-1994
Subcommittees
Appropriations – Subcommittee on Bonded Indebtedness and Methods of Financing, 1995-1996
Appropriations – Subcommittee on Fiscal Oversight, 1997-2000
Business and Professions – Subcommittee on Sports, 1995-1996
Select Committees
Bilingual Education, 1995-1996
Cal Fed Water Program, 1997-2000
Capital Areal Flood Protection, 1999-2000
Community Development, 1997-1998
Southern California Water Districts' Expenditures and Governance, 1997-2000
Chair, 1999-2000
Urban Economic Development, 1999-2000
Joint Committees
Coordination of Public Policy Research, 1995-1998
School Facilities, 1995-1996
Boards, Commissions, and Councils
Library Construction and Renovation Board, 1997-2000
Scope and Content
The David Kelley Papers consist of 18 cubic feet of textual records and cover the years 1981 to 2002. The records are organized
into the following record series: Bill Records, 1979-1986; Bill Files, 1981-2002; Correspondence, 1979-1987; and Press Releases,
1981-1983. The Bill Records provide a summary of the bills introduced by Kelley during each legislative session from 1979
through 1986. 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. The bills introduced by David Kelley cover a wide variety of subjects but most notably
water issues and agriculture.
David Kelley was considered to be one of the state's most knowledgeable and key water leaders. Throughout his career in the
Assembly and the Senate, Kelley authored many bills that pertained to water quality and conservation with a strong focus on
his district and constituents. Kelley was key to the success of the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), Imperial Irrigation
District (IID), and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California agreement on the transfer of agricultural water from
IID to SDCWA. In terms of water conservation, Kelley carried legislation that advocated for the use of "reclaimed" or "recycled"
water throughout the state, and created an office within the Department of Water Resources to deal with water reclamation
and the promotion of the use of reclaimed water statewide.
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.
National Farm Labor Union (U.S.)
Agriculture - California
California. Legislature. Senate. Appropriations Committee
LP444:1
Series 1
Bill Records
1979-1986
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by legislative session.
Scope and Content Note
Bill Records provide a summary of the bills introduced by David Kelly during each legislative session. Summaries note whether
the bill was chaptered, died, or dropped.
LP444:2-349
Series 2
Bill Files
1981-2002
Physical Description: 348 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill file.
Scope and Content Note
Bill Files were created by David Kelley while he served as a state legislator from 1981-2002. 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 Kelley concerned a wide array of subjects including water and agriculture. He authored bills concerning
water quality (AJR69, 1991-1992 SB128, 1995-1996); water conservation (AB3428, 1985-1986; AB607, 1989-1990); water reclamation
(AB13 1991-1992; SB365, 1993-1994); water planning (AB88 1991-1992; SB755 1993-1994); water transfers (SB1833, 1997-1998)
and fresh water (SB1082, 1997-1998); agriculture donation tax credits (AB2869, 1991-1992); and hay sales (SB531, 1993-1994).
1981-1982: AB10-AB145 (1ff) LP444:2
1983-1984: AB8-AB4036, AJR128 (23) LP444:3-25
1985-1986: AB125-AB4285, ACR78-ACR151, AJR60-AJR102 (17) LP444:26-42
1987-1988: AB11-AB4691, ACR8-ACR60 (18ff) LP444:43-60
1989-1990: AB14-AB4040, ACA24, ACR101-ACR106, AJR3 (32ff) LP444:61-92
1991-1992: AB13-AB3712, ACR4-ACR46, AJR9-AJR69, AB15X-AB21X (32ff) LP444:93-124
1993-1994: SB7-SB1996, SCR5-SCR17, SJR20 (43ff) LP444:125-167
1995-1996: SB35-SB1851, SCR20-SCR49, SJR13-SJR36, SR9-SR34, SB6XX(70ff) LP444:168-237
1997-1998: SB3-SB2185, SCR9-SCR99, SJR11-SJR14 (44ff) LP444:238-281
1999-2000: SB113-SB1967, SCR5-SCR58, SJR18-SJR26 (38ff) LP444:282-320
2001-2002: AB134-AB2267, ACR25-ACR84, AJR35, AB45X-AB110X, AB5XX-AB42XX (29ff) LP444:321-349
LP444:350-357
Series 3
Correspondence
1979-1987
Physical Description: 8 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by correspondence date.
Scope and Content Note
Sampled correspondence includes communication between David Kelley and his fellow legislators, some constituents, and agencies
and organizations affected by specific legislation over the span of his time with the State Legislature. The series also
contains one file folder of correspondence with Governor George Deukmejian.
LP444:358-359
Series 4
Press Releases
1981-1983
Physical Description: 2 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by publication date.
Scope and Content Note
Press Releases provide insight into David Kelley's legislative interests and accomplishments. Kelley often provided open
criticism of Governor Jerry Brown's policies, especially those concerning agriculture and taxes. Kelley questioned Brown's
statement of being a "born-again tax cutter," and asserted that the Governor failed to meet the state's demands of reducing
state spending. The press releases often criticize Democratic Party policies. After Governor George Deukmejian assumed office
Kelley utilized his press release to support the Governor's budget.