The Assembly Public Safety Committee is holding a hearing this morning and pretending to actually debate the merits of AB 334 – legislation to address the “problem” of law enforcement profiling motorcycle riders.  The author – Ken Cooley – just uttered words that I heard hundreds of times when I worked at the Capitol and they reveal the lack of critical and strategic thinking that typifies so much of what goes on today in the California Legislature.

Despite the testimony of the opposition that this change in law could result in reducing the ability of law enforcement to deter or prevent criminal activity, Mr. Cooley said “it was not the intent of his bill”.

Great.  Then why not just make it intent legislation?

The issue is not the intent – it is the consequences.  Just look at Prop 47 for an example of the consequences on society from poorly worded changes to law.  And I am sure none of the proponents of Prop 47 intended for the recently discovered “loopholes”  in that initiative to create the problems for the counties that it has.

IRONY ALERT

The committee next heard a bill that the author contended was needed because there was too much confusion over an earlier change in law mandating certain training for peace officers when they interact with Indian tribes or work on tribal lands.   From the committee analysis:

AB 373 Assembly Bill – Bill Analysis

Training for public safety personnel has failed to keep pace with federal mandates,  
directly creating ineffective and/or misapplied law enforcement on tribal lands.