Series Description

LP456:1-206

Series 1 Bill Files 1979-1996

Physical Description: 206 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number.

Scope and Content Note

Bill Files were created by Don Rogers while serving as a state Assembly Member, 1979-1986, and as a State Senator, 1987-1996. The files may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, position statements in support or opposition, Legislative Counsel opinions and conflict letters, press releases, newspaper editorials and clippings, background reports, information, and data that pertain to taxes, Kern and Tulare Counties, geology, and international relations.

Concerns regarding taxes influenced Rogers' political career. He wrote legislation that abolished the state inheritance tax (AB264, 1979-1980), used sales tax revenue from sale of aviation jet fuel to fund improvements and maintenance of California-located airports (AB3290, 1985-1986), and equalized state funds going to counties for road maintenance, particularly in Kern and Tulare Counties (AB3830, 1985-1986).

Rogers, with a geology background, authored legislation regarding natural fuel sources such as oil and gasoline (AB1842, AB1900, AB1901, AB1918, AB2926, and AB2960, 1979-1980) as well as energy resources (AB2256, AB2474, and AB3002, 1983-1984). In particular, AB1466, 1981-1982, transfers funding responsibility for the Geothermal Regulatory Program from oil and gas operators to geothermal operators by authorizing the collection of annual geothermal well fees.

Water was also a major topic for Rogers, especially within his own Assembly District. During the legislative session 1979-1980, Rogers authored four bills affecting Kern and Tulare Counties -- AB1894 allowed four water districts in the 33rd Assembly District to levy assessments within zones of benefit; AB1895 removed the residency requirement for water district board election and only required that the director be a holder of title to land in the division; AB2170 granted statutory authority to four water districts in the 33rd Assembly District to generate hydroelectric power along irrigation districts; and AB2897 provided the four water districts with flood control powers and responsibilities. AB1063, 1981-1982, made changes in the Kern County Water Agency Act. SB776, 1995-1996 amends the Water Conservation Bond Law of 1988. Other water legislation includes AB591 and AB1431, 1985-1986; SB1168 and SB1189, 1995-1996.

During his term in the legislature, Rogers authored AB2988, 1979-1980, and AB52, 1981-1982, which addressed the presence of thumbprints on a DMV license and ID card application; SB2410, 1989-1990, which promoted an official Poppy Day; SB697 and SJR17, 1989-1990, which advocated for making December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor Day in perpetuity; SJR50, 1989-1990, to repeal the Panama Canal Act of 1979; and SR54, 1989-1990, to encouraged diplomatic relations with Lithuania.

1979-1980: AB264-AB3296, AJR88 (3ff) LP456:1-3

1981-1982: AB52-AB3638, ACR36, AJR4-AJR68 (5ff) LP456:4-8

1981-1982: SB477, SB1922 (1ff) LP456:9

1983-1984: AB639-AB4051, ACR78, AJR118, AJR149 (4ff) LP456:10-13

1985-1986: AB444-AB4387, ACA51, ACR12-ACR139 (33ff) LP456:14-46

1987-1988: SB157-SB2148, SCR21-SCR72, SJR42 (47ff) LP456:47-93

1987-1988: AB813-AB2288(1ff) LP456:94

1989-1990: SB162-SB2816, SCA33, SCR86, SCR110, SJR10-SJR73, SR35, SR54 (37ff) LP456:95-131

1991-1992: SB155-SB2055, SCA39, SCR19-SCR68, SJR14-SJR42, SB8X, SB11X (28ff) LP456:132-159

1993-1994: SB585-SB2111, SCA25, SCR19-SCR45, SJR35-SJR47 (27ff) LP456:160-186

1995-1996: SB308-SB2127, SCA6, SCR58, SJR15 (20ff) LP456:187-206

Series Description

Bill Files