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Inventory of the Thomas M. Hannigan Papers
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Table of contents
Title: Thomas Hannigan Papers
Dates: 1979-1996
Collection number: See series descriptions for LP numbers.
Creator:
Thomas Hannigan, California Legislator
Collection Size:
22.5 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The Thomas M. Hannigan Papers consist of 22.5 cubic feet of textual records, covering the years 1979-1996. The records document
his career in the California Legislature and are organized into three series: Bill Files, Chronological Files, and Legislative
Counsel Opinions.
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], [Thomas M. Hannigan] papers, LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the
Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
California State Archives acquired the Thomas M. Hannigan papers, in a series of five record transfers, beginning in 1982
(Accession Numbers: 82-158, 86-145, 91-1, 96-02-14, and 96-12-27).
Thomas M. Hannigan, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member, from 1979 to 1996. His 4th District included cities within Solano,
Yolo, and Sacramento counties. Following redistricting in 1983, he represented the 4th District, which included cities within
Solano and Yolo counties. Following redistricting in 1992, he represented the 8th District, which included cities within the
counties of Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano.
Hannigan was born on May 30, 1940 in Vallejo, California. He attended the University of Santa Clara, receiving a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1962. He also served in the United States Marine Corps from 1963 to 1966, achieving
the rank of captain. Following his military career, Hannigan became a realtor. He and his wife Jan have three children: Erin,
Matthew, and Bridget.
Hannigan was a member of the Solano County Board of Supervisors from 1974 to 1978, holding the position of Chair from 1976
to 1978. He also served on the Fairfield City Council from 1970-1974, and as Fairfield City Mayor from 1972-1974. Additionally,
Hannigan was Chair of the Fairfield Housing Authority, and a member of the Golden Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Furthermore, Hannigan was a member of the Governing Board of the Northbay Health Systems Agency. He was also active with the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, and Northern Solano Board of Realtors. Lastly, following his
career as a legislator, Hannigan served as the director of the California Department of Water Resources from 1999-2003.
Hannigan was elected to the State Assembly in 1978, replacing Vic Fazio. Eight years later, in 1986, he was appointed Majority
Floor Leader, a position he held until the end of his last term in 1996.
During his tenure in the State Assembly, Thomas M. Hannigan was a member of the following committees:
California State Assembly, 1979-1996
- Standing Committees
- Agriculture, 1989-1990
- Banking and Finance, 1993-1996
- Consumer Protection, 1985-1986
- *Acting Chair, 1985-1986
- Consumer Protection, Governmental Efficiency and Economic Development, 1993-1994
- Elections and Reapportionment, 1985-1986
- Elections, Reapportionment, and Constitutional Amendments, 1991
- Energy and Natural Resources, 1981-1982
- *Chair, 1981-1982
- Governmental Efficiency and Consumer Protection, 1987-1988
- Human Services, 1981-1982
- Insurance, 1995-1996
- Local Government, 1987-1996
- Natural Resources, 1983-1986
- Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security, 1989-1990
- Public Investments, Finance, and Bonded Indebtedness, 1985-1986
- Revenue and Taxation, 1979-1988, 1991-1994
- *Chair, 1983-1986
- *Vice Chair, 1979-1980
- Resources, Land Use, and Energy, 1979-1980
- Transportation, 1989-1990
- Veteran Affairs, 1985-1986
- Ways and Means, 1979-1984, 1987-1994
- Subcommittees
- Education, No. 2 (Ways and Means), 1987-1990
- Education Finance, 1995-1996
- Energy (Energy and Natural Resources), 1981-1982
- Hazardous Materials, Pipeline, Chemical Plant, and Refinery Safety, 1989-1990
- Public Employees and Bonded Indebtedness, No. 5 (Ways and Means), 1987-1990
- Public Lands (Resources, Land Use, and Energy), 1979-1980
- Regional Government, 1989-1990
- Resources and Transportation, No. 3 (Ways and Means), 1979-1980, 1983-1984
- Resources, Transportation, Agriculture, and the Environment, 1995-1996
- School Finance, 1991-1994
- State-Local Relations (Local Government), 1987-1990
- Tax Expenditures (Revenue and Taxation), 1979-1980
- Timber (Natural Resources), 1985-1986
- Select Committee
- Acid Rain, 1981-1982
- Defense Conversion, 1995-1996
- Economic Problems in Timber and Related Industries, 1979-1984
- Energy Alternatives in Agriculture, 1981-1982
- Energy Supply, 1981-1982
- International Trade, Investment, and Tourism, 1983-1984
- Office of the State Treasurer, 1987-1990
- *Chair, 1987-1990
- Office of the State Board of Equalization, 1991-1992
- *Chair, 1991-1992
- Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1993-1994
- *Chair, 1993-1994
- Property Tax and Local Government Finance, 1989-1992
- *Chair, 1989-1990
- Veterans’ Affairs, 1979-1984
- *Chair, 1979-1980
- Special Committees
- Medi-Cal Reform, 1979-1980
- Policy Research Management, 1981-1982, 1987-1992
- Joint Committees
- Ethics, Legislative, 1979-1982
- Retirement, Legislative, 1985-1992
- Rules, 1987-1992, 1995-1996
- Boards, Commissions, Councils
- Capitol Area Committee, 1979-1980
The Thomas M. Hannigan Papers consist of 22.5 cubic feet of textual records, covering the years 1979-1996. The records are
organized into three series: Bill Files, Chronological Files, and Legislative Counsel Opinions.
Assembly bill files from 1979 to 1996 are the majority of his collection, documenting his legislative activity during his
eighteen-year term as a member of the California State Legislature. The bills introduced by Hannigan include a wide array
of subjects. Particularly notable, he authored bills concerning state-sponsored health care for retired state workers; transfers
of property between parents and children; local redevelopment projects; tax reform; the state budget; and real estate. Hannigan’s
AB609 (1983-1984) proposed to extend eligibility for state health care for retired state workers who did not enroll prior
to retirement. Opponents, however, were concerned that the fiscal impact would be detrimental as it would cost the state an
estimated $3.6 million. Hannigan also advocated for AB 565 (1987-1988), a bill that proposed to allow retired state employees
and their survivors to enroll in the Public Employee Retirement System.
In addition, AB67 of the 1985-1986 session, proposed to exempt transfers of property between parents and children from assessment
for tax purposes. The opposition, however, voiced their concerns, believing that unintended consequences would consist of
the passing down of large industrial, commercial, and agricultural holdings without having to pay appropriate taxes. Regarding
tax reform, AB66 (1985-1986) is important in that it sought to amend the Personal Income Tax Law, Bank and Corporation Tax
Law, and the Unemployment Insurance Code to conform to federal standards and changes made in 1984. Similarly, AB 2620 of the
1985-1986 session, sought to ensure federal conformity for personal income tax laws. Furthermore, ACA 4 of the 1995-1996 session,
reflects Hannigan’s desire to amend the California Constitution to allow the passage of the state budget and appropriation
bills by a majority rather than a two thirds vote of the legislature.
Regarding local redevelopment projects, although it did not pass, AB169 of the 1987-1988 session, is noteworthy to researchers
in that it proposed to halt property annexation by cities until the completion of existing development projects within city
limits. Perhaps the most important bill that Hannigan introduced was AB527 of the 1989-1990 session. Encompassing eighteen
file folders, AB527 proposed to establish an agency to license and certify real estate appraisers in California. This bill
responded to the federal mandate in Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989,
requiring all states to establish a regulatory structure for licensing of real estate appraisers.
Other notable topics of interest to Hannigan include improving rail transportation to and from Sacramento and the Bay Area;
establishing an agricultural cooperative at University of California, Davis; land conservation; improving AIDS education and
special education programs in schools; nonresident fees for students attending community college; and appropriate procedures
for sealing and destroying case records when a person is found factually innocent.
Chronological files address many of the same areas as the bill files-AIDS education, property transfers between parents and
children, redevelopment, funding for special education programs, and improving transportation to and from Sacramento and the
Bay Area. Additional topics include funding to improve school facilities and the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program,
affirmative action, minimum wage increases, diverting water from northern California to southern California, rent control
for mobile homes, and abortions for minors. The majority of records are mostly correspondence between Hannigan and concerned
citizens within his district from January 1987 to December 1988.
Legislative Counsel opinions document the opinions of the Legislative Counsel. Subjects include, but are not limited to, forced
busing to achieve integration in public schools; tuition fees for UC and CSU nonresident students; and whether or not cities,
counties, and special districts, including school districts, can impose special taxes without legislative authorization.
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.
Real estate development
California. Public Employees' Retirement System
Income tax - California
Special education - California
Transportation --California