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Politics & Government

Sen. Hill to Announce Winner of 'Oughta Be a Law....Or Not' Contest Friday

The invalidation of AP exams taken by a group of high school students last year prompted this year's winning entry.

On Friday, Jan. 24 Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) and State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin will announce the winner of the sixth annual “Oughta Be a Law … Or Not” contest. The announcement will be made at 10:00 a.m. in front of Mills High School in Millbrae.

The location of the announcement is significant, in that the winning entry originated with Mills students and parents seeking to right a wrong that led to the invalidation of test scores on Advanced Placement exams taken by 286 students last year. 

The AP exams were invalidated by the College Board, due to what were determined to be "testing irregularities" such as students not facing the same direction while taking the test, which is contrary to the AP exam manual.

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Joining Hill and Mills High School students and parents, will be Assemblymember Mullin, D-San Mateo, who is introducing companion legislation that requires standardized test providers to release cancelled test scores to colleges when there is no evidence of student misconduct.

Hill’s bill, which will be introduced Friday, has three provisions that ensure students do not suffer these setbacks and have appropriate recourse if a similar circumstance occurs in the future.

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"There Oughta Be a Law.....Or Not" Contest Winner Announcement:

WHEN:  Friday, Jan. 24, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Mills High School, 400 Murchison Dr., Millbrae (on the sidewalk in front of the school)

CONTACT: Aurelio Rojas 916-747-3199 cell; Leslie Guevarra 415-298-3404 cell

Past "There Oughta Be a Law...Or Not" Contest Winners:

(All but one measure--2009's Assembly Bill 1379--have been signed into law by the governor.)

2013 – Senate Bill 589
 Menlo Park resident Dan Hilberman submitted the bill idea that inspired legislation enabling individuals who vote by mail to confirm that their ballots were counted. 

2012 – Assembly Bill 2309
 Corey Geiger and Alan Talansky submitted the 2012 winning idea, which was to create a pilot program linking the state’s community colleges with local chambers of commerce to promote business development and job creation. 

2011 – Assembly Bill 459
 The constituent who won the 2011 contest asked to remain anonymous. The idea implemented the National Popular Vote for President, which reforms the Electoral College so that it guarantees the presidency to the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide. 

2010 – Assembly Bill 2654
 The brainchild of Stan Fetterman of Millbrae, Assembly Bill 2654 would require firms that send solicitation letters appearing to be on behalf of government agencies to include a disclaimer atop the first page stating: "This product or service has not been approved or endorsed by any government agency." 

2009 – Assembly Bill 1379
 Eda Cook of Half Moon Bay and Scott Buschman of San Bruno were named co-winners of the 2009 contest for their proposals addressing the problem of spilled debris from trucks on highways and roads. The measure passed the legislature but was vetoed by the governor.

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