BILLS ON GOVERNOR'S DESK HAVE LONG-TERM IMPACT.

Byline: David M. Drucker Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO - Just five days before California's historic recall election, embattled Gov. Gray Davis holds sway over a mountain of legislation - some of which could fundamentally alter California public policy long into the future - even if he is ousted from office.

Senate Bill 2 - one of the bills awaiting Davis' signature - would require California employers to subsidize their employees' health care. Capitol insiders say it and other bills were rushed through the Democratic-controlled Legislature in one year - rather than two or more - once it became clear the governor might be replaced with a Republican as early as next week.

``This shouldn't be surprising. If a year from now it looks like President Bush is going to be defeated and replaced with a Democrat, congressional Republicans will do the same thing,'' said Tim Hodson, executive director of the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento.

With the recall election less than a week away, Davis is reviewing more than 400 bills that would affect everything from health care, public education and political appointments, to the state budget, small businesses, organized labor and how California treats same-sex relationships.

In addition to SB 2, the governor is considering the following legislation:

--SB 328, which would make some undocumented immigrants eligible for a free community college education.

--Assembly Bill 14, which would require the Los Angeles Unified School District to contract only with businesses that pay a more expensive prevailing wage, as opposed to competitive market wages.

--AB 827, which would allow the governor to appoint members to regulatory boards who have no background in the industry they would be regulating.

--AB 76, which would make employers responsible for protecting employees from harassment by clients and customers.

--SB 578, authored by Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, would prohibit the state from contracting with any firm that does not allow its employees to join a labor union.

Under normal circumstances, Davis would have until Oct. 12 to decide on legislation.

But if the latest public opinion polls are correct and Republican front-runner Arnold Schwarzenegger replaces Davis as governor before then, Davis may have to weigh in sooner.

Staff Writer James Nash contributed to this story.

David M. Drucker, [phone]

david.drucker(at)dailybulletin.comw