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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- September usually is a tense time in California's Capitol, and this year is no exception: Hundreds of bills await action on Republican Gov. Pete Wilson's desk, bills that may exert a profound impact on the political futures of the lawmakers who authored them and on the governor's own political legacy.

From the time a bill reaches his desk, the governor has 30 days to act on it. He can sign it into law, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature. Perhaps 500 bills were sent to the governor in the waning days of the Legislature's 1997-98 session that ended Aug. 31, and each of those are facing the governor's scrutiny. Wilson, noting the myriad bills cluttering his desk, was only half joking when he said last week that he hadn't had time to read the nation's hottest political document in decades -- Kenneth Starr's 445-page report on President Clinton.

Thus far, there has been only a trickle of bill signings and vetoes from the governor's office. But that is all but certain to change this week, as the first major batch of bills is expected to be announced. The question isn't what he will sign -- his position on the handful of major bills is well known. The question is how -- such as whether he will hold formal signing ceremonies in Los Angeles to grab as much media attention as possible. These bills are among Gov. Wilson's final major acts as governor, and he is only too mindful that he has little time left to define his legacy for his all-but-certain run for president in 2000.

The two most significant pieces of legislation -- both supported by the governor -- involve the environment. One includes the state's $130 million share of the state-federal Headwaters Forest protection agreement; the other offers $243 million for water projects to seal the historic agreement between San Diego, Los Angeles and the Imperial Irrigation District on a plan to transfer more water to thirsty San Diego County.

Not surprisingly, the Southern California water bill may be signed in Southern California, and probably in San Diego, Wilson's home turf. The Headwaters bill may be signed on California's North Coast, where the Headwaters Forest is located and where for years environmentalists and loggers have battled over forest protections. Both bills are being closely watched by the national media.

Also awaiting an expected signature is an additional $105 million in education funding and new money for juvenile justice and detention facilities.

But in doubt are the hundreds of bills that have little public profile but which are intensely important to local lawmakers who face re-election up and down the state in the Assembly and Senate. These bills generally receive little if any statewide media attention, but they are of intense interest to locals. A lawmaker, Democrat or Republican, who delivers a project to his or her district is viewed as effective by local voters. Those who can't deliver may face the wrath of voters at the ballot box.

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