CTA-sponsored and co-sponsored legislation for 2004

STRS Bonuses - Burton

Bill #: SB 102

Would allow some unused sick days to count in qualifying for the STRS bonuses.

(Amended 1/26) (Co-sponsored bill)

Status: Sent to Assembly PER&SS

Rehire Rights for Part-Timers - Burton

Bill #: SB 1432

Would require community college districts to bargain part-time faculty rehiring rights, including the right of first refusal.

(Amended 4/16)

Status: Sent to Senate Education

STRS Enhancements - Mullin

Bill #: AB 265

Would require the state to pay back over time $500 million in deferred STRS contributions to a STRS special fund that provides retirees with a purchasing power guarantee.

(Amended 7/22/03)

Status: Senate Appropriations suspense file

Test Alignment - Hancock, Mullin

Bill #: AB 356

Would align the California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program with federal guidelines by exempting pupils in second grade from the testing requirement, effective July 1, 2005; would delay use of the California High School Exit Exam as a state requirement for graduation until 2005-06; would delete the monetary rewards provisions in the Public Schools Accountability Act.

(Amended 2/18)

Status: Pending technical amendments; on Senate floor

STRS Defined Benefit - Mullin

Bill #: AB 1852

Would allow STRS members to retire at age 50 with 25 years of service instead of 30, to receive a lump sum payment for the longevity bonus, and to use their three highest-paid years of service (not necessarily consecutive) for final compensation calculations. Would provide service credit to educators serving active duty in Iraq.

(Amended 5/20)

Status: Passed Assembly; sent to Senate

Teacher Preparation - Diaz

Bill #: AB 2559

Would require districts and county offices of education to establish a process enabling teachers to evaluate and make recommendations for improving local professional development programs. The process would include a joint teacher/administrator committee that may be the same as the panel overseeing the Peer Assistance and Review program.

(Amended 5/12) (Co-sponsored bill)

Status: Passed Assembly; sent to Senate

Unemployment Rights - Dymally

Bill #: AB 2730

Would define "reasonable assurance" for unemployment compensation purposes.

Status: Assembly Appropriations suspense file

Brown Decision Commemoration - Wesson

Bill #: ACR 140

Would commemorate the 50th anniversary of the

Brown v. Board of Education

decision (1954), which declared "separate but equal" public schools unconstitutional.

(Amended 5/17) (Co-sponsored bill)

Status: Enacted