News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > DMV Military Waiver Bill Signed by Governor

DMV Military Waiver Bill Signed by Governor

Schwarzenegger Signs 128 Bills

By Michael P. Neufeld
Saturday, August 8, 2009

Sacramento, CA - A Department of Motor Vehicle military waiver bill, authored by local legislator Paul Cook (R-Yucaipa), is one of 128 bills signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The governor vetoed 9 pieces of legislation.

Assembly Bill 425 exempts members of the California National Guard and the U.S. Armed Services from paying a re-issuance fee if their registration is suspended, canceled or revoked while they are deployed.

State Assemblyman Paul Cook (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

"When military personnel receive deployment orders," Cook explained, "they often have little time to prepare. Prior to this bill, if their auto insurance was canceled while deployed, their registration was suspended and they had to pay a re-issuance fee or present proof of non-operation."

Now, by presenting a copy of their official military orders, the fees will be waived when they request reinstatement of their registration.

Assembly Bill 265

Assemblyman Cook's AB 265, also signed by the governor, pertains to the federal Stolen Valor Act of 2005. The act made it illegal for people to misrepresent themselves as recipients of military honors. The bill expands on the Stolen Valor Act and extends the forfeiture of office to state elected officials for misrepresenting themselves as recipients of the various medals and decorations for bravery, wounds, campaigns, service or rank.

State Assemblyman Bill Emmerson (R-Redlands) represents the 63rd District that covers much of the Inland Empire. (Photo by State of California.)

Assemblyman Bill Emmerson (R-Redlands) authored Assembly Bill 247, dealing with the reporting of child abuse.

The legislation, signed by the governor, substitutes the words "health care practitioner" for the outdated "medical practitioner" and clarifies that health care practitioners treat, rather than investigate suspected cases of child abuse."

Prior to Emmerson's bill, the law required a number of individuals, including medical practitioners, to report known or suspected cases of child abuse. In these cases, child protective services is required to provide information to the medical practitioner who is treating the victim of child abuse.

"The old law lumped both a health care reporter and a non-health care reporter into one sentence, implying that a health care practitioner who treats, might also be authorized to investigate child abuse," Emmerson explained.

This article was first published on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 8:40 am. This article has been viewed 529 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.