Imperial Valley press., 1923-05-19
45TH SESSION IS
MOST EXPENSIVE
IN RECENT TIMES
Longest Session Since
1862, Total Cost
100000
1878 ASSEMBLY BILLS
Assembly Passed $50
Bills, Senate O. KS.
481 Measures
1878 ASSEMBLY BILLS

4S1 measures
SACRAMENTO. May l9.-Cali-
fernia s forty-fifth biennial legisla-
ture, one of the longest and most
costly on record, today takes its
pace on the pages of the states
history.
Only occupants of the two cham
bers are the janitors, clearing out
the desks and removing q large por
tion of the session 8 $150,000 worth
of printed matter, left behind by
the Legislators in their hurried de-
parture.
The capitol lobbies are empty Of
all save the regular forces Of the
state offices. The "third house,
members, the lobbyists, who made
the Railways their haven, have de-
parted.
Final adjournment came shortly
before the midnight hour, when the
assembly approved the final con-
currence, sustained the last veto or
the governor, and completed every
bit of business before it.
. The senate was through carry IA
the evening, but it was necessary to
keep majority on hand, as both
houses, under the law, were obliged
to close at the same time.
Largest Since 1862
The forty-fifth legislature is re-
corded as the longest session since
1862. 1t ran the full 100 days pro-
vided by statute.
In addition, the present period of
iawmaking has cost the state more
than any session in recent years.
Bills so far received by State Con-
troller Ray L. Riley total over $780,
OCO, Of which the senate was charg-
ed with $95 900 and the assembly
with $l45,000.
The legislative printing expense
is not yet totalled, but it is estimat-
ed this item will reach $4,000,
bringing the total cost of the SEES
sion to approximately 100000.
The average cost cf previous ses-
sions of the Legislature has been
about 100000. "a N
To offset this big expendiiitt;ife diiitt;ife
there have been but few really i'm.
portant measures passed. Observers
agree that the present session has
been marked by the absence Of vital
legisla tion-statutes of statewide
import and constructiveness.
Few Important Bills
The gasoline tax, revision of the
motor vehicle laws, tax on incomes
of motor truck lines, community
property law changes, and the hous-
ing bill, are practically the import
| ant measures of the session.
The gasoline tax, revision of the
motor vehicle laws tax on incomes
of motor truck lines, community
property law changes, and the hous-
ing bill, are practically all the i'm
portant measures of the session.
The major portion of the time
was taken up in debating and fight
ing assembly bill 900, the admins
tration budget-and all for naupht.
Every increase voted into the doeu-
ment was promptly vetoed BY the
| governor and the measure returned
| to the same fcrm it was iii when
| first introduced.
There have been many sectional
measures passed - bills affecting
certain districts and of vital import.
anee to those individual portions of
the state. County government bills,
measures increasing the pay of SUI
perlor court judges and similar pro-
positions, have been numerous.
Half Bills Killed
An incomplete check Of the ses-
sion's history disclosed that the as.
sembly passed approximately 600
bills which had their origin In the
lower house. There were 1878 as
sembly bills introduced, the figures
disclosing that more than half of
the number Were either killed in
committee or refused passage.
The senate percentage OF bills
passed runs higher. OF the $50
measures introduced in the upper
House, 4sl were approved.
Kills 65 Measures
or the 459 assembly bills enrolled
and sent to Governor Richardson to
date he has vetoed 55 OF them and
approved 100, The remainder are
sun to bo aeie. upon by the exc.
cutive.
An even 100 senate bills have been
forwarded to iae governor. fIe has
acted on all upper housc measures
placed before him 10 date hnulnx