From: "Juliana Smith" Date: 18 May 2002 10:10:26 -0600 I am currently attending the NGS Conference in Milwaukee and we have received word that California is moving forward quickly in its move to close access to the index of birth and death records and will be meeting Monday morning at 9:30 am for a hearing on the bill. I am copying a message below with details of the legislation and contact information for California legislators form the Appropriation Committee. Please let our voices be heard on this issue. If closed, it will set a precedent and it is likely that other states will follow suit. It is particularly important that California voters voice their opinions. Please pass this important message on to other lists as well. With best wishes, Juliana Smith Editor, Ancestry Daily News [email protected] -------- Original Message -------- Subject: LEG MAY 17, 2002 REPORT Date: Fri, 17 May 2002 14:13:55 -0700 From: Iris Jones <[email protected]> MAY 17, 2002 - SENATE BILL 1614 UPDATE While I subscribe the SB1614, since my last report on May 15, 2002, I have checked the activity daily. As of late last night there was no change. This morning I find that the bill has been scheduled to be heard before the Appropriations Committee at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2002. There are also new amendments. The bill requires the comprehensive index of birth and death record indexes be kept confidential. It will be available to some government agencies, but the information is require to maintain confidentiality. The copies of Indexes sold prior to 31 December to 3rd parties will require that the information remain confidential under penalty of law. It requires the State Registrar to establish a separate noncomprehensive electronic indices which will be electronically available to county recorders. But the public may only view these noncomprehensive indexes at the State or county on computer terminals designated for this purpose. Obviously, between now and 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning leaves little time for action. I am going to send my letter of objections to the author, the Governor and members of the Appropriation Committee who have fax Email numbers available. The Committee: State Capital Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814 Senator Dede Alpert (Chair), Room 5050; Fax 916-327-2188; Email <[email protected]> Senator Jim Battin (Vice Chair), Room 3024; Email <[email protected]> Senator Debora Bowen Room 4040; Email <[email protected]> Senator John Burton, Room 205; no fax; no Email Senator Martha Escuta, Room 5080; Fax 916-327-8755 Senator Maurice Johannessen, Room 5061; Fax 916-445-7750 Senator Ross Johnson, Room 3063, only in Irvine Office Senator Betty Karnette, Room 5066; Fax 916-641-4395 Senator Bruce McPherson, Room 2054; Email <[email protected]> Senator Kevin Murray, Room 4038; Fax 915-641-4395 Senator Don Perata, Room 4061; Fax 916-286-3885 Senator Charles Poochigian, Room 5087 Senator Jackie Speier, Room 2032; Fax 916-327-2186; <[email protected]> Governor Gray Davis, Fax 916-445-4633; <[email protected]> -- Iris Carter Jones CSGA Legislative Coordinator