LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A California lawmaker said Saturday that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger should sign his bill, which would make California the first state in the country to require insurance companies to pay for HIV and AIDS blood tests.

    The bill proposed by state assembly member Paul Krekorian was passed by both houses of the legislature last week, and awaits the Governor's signature to become law, according to a statement by the lawmaker.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers the keynote speech at the 26th Border Governors Conference at Universal Studios in Los Angeles Aug. 14, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Kerkorian said he was afraid that the bill may run into the governor's stated plan to force a state budget by refusing to signany other bills.

    He said that the lack of routine HIV testing results in a lack of treatment to tens of thousands of people who need it, and puts many more people at risk of infection.

    California health officials estimate some 40,000 persons in California are infected with HIV but are unaware they have the disease.