Inventory of the Thomas M. Hannigan Papers

Processed by Paul Rendes and Archives Staff
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/
© 2015
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Inventory of the Thomas M. Hannigan Papers

Collection number: See series descriptions for LP numbers.

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California
Processed by: Paul Rendes
Date Completed:
April 2015
Encoded by:
Paul Rendes
© 2016 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

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

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], [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).

Biography

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

Scope and Content

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.

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.
Real estate development
California. Public Employees' Retirement System
Income tax - California
Special education - California
Transportation --California


See below for LP numbers

Series 1 Bill Files 1979-1996

Physical Description: 500 file folders

Arrangement

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

Scope and Content Note

Bill files created by Thomas M. Hannigan may include bill analyses, conflict letters, amendments and resolutions, support and opposition letters, background information, author’s statements, testimony, press releases, editorials and newspaper clippings, correspondence, and committee statements. The most common subjects pertain to health insurance for retired state employees; transfers of property between parents and children; local redevelopment projects; tax reform; state budget and appropriation bills; and real estate.
1979-1980: AB199-AB3376; ACA31; ACR65-ACR110; AJR75-AJR92;HR29-HR32 (32ff) LP213:205-236
1981-1982: AB136-AB3788; ACA22-ACA85; ACR11-ACR100; AJR3-AJR111 (31ff) LP220:196-226
1983-1984: AB34-AB4007; AB12X-AB24X; ACR8-ACR9; ACA18-ACA22 (76ff) LP465:1-76
1985-1986: AB66-AB4098; ACA2; AJR17-AJR62 (87ff) LP465:77-163
1987-1988: AB47-AB4602; ACA15; ACR132 (83ff) LP465:164-246
1989-1990: AB72-AB4142; ACA31; ACR39-ACR159; AJR30-AJR106; AB2X-AB7X (81ff) LP465:247-327
1991-1992: AB8-AB3664; ACR25-ACR90; HR14-HR37 (35ff) LP465:328-362
1993-1994: AB258-AB3794; ACA2; ACR119-ACR130; HR18-HR45 (43ff) LP465:363-405
1995-1996: AB96-AB3449; ACA4; ACR3; AJR14 (32ff) LP465:406-437
LP465:438-461

Series 2 Chronological Files 1987-1988

Physical Description: 24 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by month.

Scope and Content Note

Chronological files cover topics relating to various bills associated with Hannigan. There are some bill summaries and analyses, but records mostly pertain to correspondence with citizens in his district. The records reveal Hannigan’s stance on a number of important issues. For example, Hannigan supported AIDS education on the condition that students receive parental consent. Hannigan also strongly opposed unfair rent increases for mobile homes (SB956, 1987-1988). Moreover, Hannigan supported increased funding for the GATE program and rail transportation between Sacramento and the Bay Area.
LP465:462-471

Series 3 Legislative Counsel Opinions 1979-1996

Physical Description: 10 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

Legislative Counsel opinions highlight the opinions of the Legislative Counsel regarding specific legislation during Hannigan’s time in the legislature. Notable topics concern integration in public schools; tuition fees for CSU and UC nonresident students; whether or not pharmacists can allow an in-patient pharmacy technician to check certain tasks performed by other in-patient pharmacy technicians; and forced busing in school districts.