Assemblyman Curt Hagman: Freshman Success

Curt Hagman

Assemblyman Curt Hagman is expected to easily win election to his second term on November 2.  After all, he enjoys a safe Republican seat.  But that doesn’t mean he took it easy in his first two years as an assemblyman representing the 60th Assembly district.  Rather he is known as a hard worker, but more importantly, as a solid Republican and a consensus builder who can communicate with Republicans and Democrats alike.

Hagman was rewarded for his communication skills early on in his career when he became the Minority Floor Leader.  His leadership capabilities became evident the last day of the regular session where he was able to prevent 35 controversial or frivolous bills from being voted on through his management on the floor by using the rules of the Assembly in the voting process.

During his first two years, Assemblyman Hagman introduced a bevy of bills, ranging from the prohibition on taxpayer funding to overturn voter-approved initiatives to the clarification of repossession law.  In most cases it seems his bills are commonsense solutions; however, in the circumstances surrounding  one bill, it was an unexpected need to legislate common sense.

Many of us read about the individual last year who thought it wise to enter the Grizzly Bear exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo.  Being stupid is not always illegal.  Now it is, at least in this situation, thanks to AB1675, which makes it illegal to enter wild animal quarters at zoos, circuses, and aquariums.  We suspect when Assemblyman Hagman signed on for the job, introducing such a bill was not on his mind.

Several more serious themes seem to be apparent in reviewing the bills introduced by Hagman.  He is clearly dedicated to the safety of the State’s residents.  Among the bills he was able to get signed into law was a bill to clarify the booking procedure for misdemeanor defendants as well as a bill to provide a procedure to temporarily revoke carry and conceal weapon permits of retired peace officers who compromise public safety.

Hagman also had two bills related to military members and their families become law.  Assembly Bill 794 “requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to waive all application and processing fees for out-of-state applicants for teaching credentials who relocate to California due to orders received from a branch of the United States Armed Forces that require the applicant’s spouse to relocate to California.”  Assembly Bill 2500 waives the late fees for any type of licensure renewals for members of the military who were deployed when the licenses lapsed.

Hagman also had his share of bills meet opposition.  For example, he introduced a bill to reduce the red tape in the administration of the death penalty that has not been met with enthusiasm from the Dems.

In all, Assemblyman Curt Hagman had ten of his bills signed become law during his freshman term.  That success, combined with his ability to communicate with on both sides of the isle while still holding strong to his conservative credentials, is the reason his name is being bantered about as a possibility to be the new Minority House Leader after the next session begins.   In his true diplomatic style, Hagman will only say he will consider it if offered.  He seems like a good choice to us for both the state of California and the County of San Bernardino!