Middle schoolers may get Bible clubs,
Bill boosts car value in bankruptcy cases,
Calif. water pact gets House blessing,
Universities could hide certain data, Day laborers may get added protections,
Senate gives nod to state butterfly

Tucson, Arizona  Friday, 13 April 2001
Legislative briefing

Middle schoolers may get Bible clubs

State lawmakers cleared the way yesterday for Bible clubs in middle schools, and for gay and lesbian clubs as well.

The voice vote by the House of Representatives prevents schools from blocking entirely voluntary, student-led clubs from meeting on school grounds because of the religious, philosophical or political content of topics to be discussed.

SB 1384 is specifically aimed at allowing seventh and eighth graders to participate in Bible clubs; federal law already guarantees that right to high schoolers.

"Parents who want their children to be involved in this kind of club feel discriminated against," complained Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Mesa.

Rep. Steve May, R-Phoenix, said changing the law means equal access to other groups, including support clubs for gays.


Bill boosts car value in bankruptcy cases

Arizonans who seek protection from creditors would be able to keep more valuable vehicles under the terms of legislation given preliminary approval yesterday by the House.

SB 1175, already approved by the Senate, specifies that someone who files for bankruptcy may keep a vehicle worth up to $5,000. Existing law sets that figure at $1,500.

The same measure boosts the vehicle exemption to $10,000 for someone who is disabled. That figure now is $4,000.


Calif. water pact gets House blessing
The House gave its blessing to a historic agreement with California on rights to Colorado River water.

Under the terms of SJR 1001, Arizona would allow California to take excess water from the river for the next 15 years, water that legally now belongs to Arizona.

In the interim, California would put itself on a "water diet," bringing its use of Colorado River water down to its legal allocation. The Senate already has approved the deal.


Universities could hide certain data

The House approved legislation yesterday to allow state universities to shield some of their research and donor records from public scrutiny.

SB 1527 would block access to unfunded grant applications.

Research materials provided to a university under the condition of confidentiality also would be protected, although the contract that spells out the deal would be public.

Individuals would be able to give historical records and memos under the condition that access is restricted, but not for longer than 20 years.

Donor names and their gifts would be public, but not until a donation actually was made.


Day laborers may get added protections

Workers at day labor agencies would get new protections under the terms of a bill given preliminary approval yesterday by the House. SB 1494 forbids companies from imposing deductions for work supplies if it has the effect of reducing pay below minimum wage.

Employees would have to be paid with a check good at financial institutions and could not be blocked from taking permanent positions with their temporary employers.

A final House vote sends the Senate-passed bill to the governor.

Senate gives nod to state butterfly

The two-tailed swallowtail will be honored by the state.

State senators voted yesterday to create an official state butterfly.

A final Senate roll-call vote will make it official as HB 2247, sponsored by Rep. Laura Knaperek, R-Tempe, for the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs, already has been approved by the House.


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