Schwarzenegger Signs Several Environment-Related, Health-Related Bills

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday signed several environment-related bills, as well as bills that address health-related issues.

Many of the environment-related bills seek to protect the health of state residents, such as a bill (SB 536) by Sen. Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) and a bill (AB 1078) by Assembly member Rick Keene (R-Chico) that address the cleanup of properties contaminated by methamphetamine labs. SB 536 establishes standards and procedures for local governments to ensure proper cleanup of meth labs. AB 1078 authorizes the Department of Toxic Substances Control to develop standards to monitor and evaluate levels of toxins found during the cleanup process (Office of the Governor release [1], 10/6).

Schwarzenegger also signed a bill (AB 405) by Assembly member Cindy Montanez (D-Mission Hills) that prohibits the use of pesticides not evaluated by the state on school campuses (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/6).

Schwarzenegger signed six additional health-related bills on Thursday. Summaries appear below.

• AB 460, a bill by Assembly member Nicole Parra (D-Bakersfield) that addresses contagious diseases;
  
  
• AB 702, a bill by Assembly member Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) that addresses nursing education;
  
  
• AB 1349, a bill by Assembly member Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) that addresses narcotic treatment programs;
  
  
• SB 73, a bill by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review that addresses master's degree nursing programs;
  
  
• SB 102, a bill by Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-Chula Vista) that addresses funds for nurse education; and
  
  
• SB 279, a bill by Sen. Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) that addresses locum tenens for physicians and surgeons.
  

Schwarzenegger also vetoed several health-related bills. Summaries appear below.

• SB 616, a bill by Sen. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) that addresses inmate health care;
  
  
• AB 688, a bill by Assembly member Barbara Matthews (D-Stockton) that addresses quality assurance fees for health care facilities;
  
  
• AB 779, a bill by Assembly member Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) that addresses Medi-Cal eligibility; and
  
  
• AB 1230, a bill by Assembly member Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) that addresses Los Angeles public hospitals (Office of the Governor release [2], 10/6).