Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – The Legislature approved a bill Tuesday from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would reduce the cost of road projects that use federal transportation funds, allowing more improvements with the same amount of money.

“My bill would streamline an often duplicative and bureaucratic process, making every transportation dollar count,” Sen. Dodd said. “We can use that savings to expand both the number and quality of projects, providing Californians with the good roads they deserve.”

Sacramento –  Today, Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) legislation  to exempt compassionate care programs from state cannabis taxes when they are providing free medical cannabis to people living with serious health conditions passed the Assembly with a 71-0 vote. It now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote in the next week. This bill is modeled off of Senator Wiener’s SB 829, which was vetoed by Governor Brown last year.

SACRAMENTO – The state Assembly today approved a critical anti-poverty bill to ensure debt collectors leave at least $1,724 in a bank account, rather than taking the entire amount and leaving people with insufficient funds to cover day-to-day expenses.  The bill, SB 616, authored by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) is supported by a large coalition of legal aid providers, advocates for low-income consumers and many progressive statewide organizations.  The bill goes to the Senate for a concurrence vote.

Sacramento–  Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Todd Gloria’s (D-San Diego) legislation to reduce barriers to accessing HIV preventative medications passed the Assembly with a 65-0 vote. It now heads back to the Senate floor for final sign-off. SB 159 authorizes pharmacists to furnish pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to patients without a physician prescription.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) and Senator Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) today urged Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) to make Senate Bill 1 a two year bill. SB 1 aims to prevent federal rollbacks on clean water and clean air standards is intended to protect workers, public health and vulnerable communities.

SACRAMENTO – In recognition of the critical role the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta plays in California’s economy and environment, the Legislature has passed a resolution from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, designating the week of Sept. 21 as Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week.

Sacramento –  Today, Senators Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) legislation to repeal article 34 of the California Constitution passed the Senate with a unanimous vote. It now heads to the Assembly for a vote. SCA 1 is sponsored by Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City of Los Angeles. Added by the voters in 1950, Article 34 of the California Constitution requires cities to submit projects to a voter referendum when public funds are allocated to developing low-income rental housing. No other type of housing is subjected to this requirement.

SACRAMENTO – In a resounding show of support for survivors of rape and sexual assault, the California State Assembly passed legislation earlier today authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that will require law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories to promptly analyze and test all newly collected rape kit evidence in California.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado’s (D-Sanger) legislation, SB 331, was held by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill, which received bi-partisan support, would have required that all California counties develop a suicide prevention plan while focusing on the staggering rise in deaths among adolescents.

Today, the California Assembly approved SB 72, legislation by State Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) that will allow all eligible Californians to register to vote and cast a ballot at polling sites on Election Day. If SB 72 becomes law, California will join 11 other states, as well as the District of Columbia, in making Election Day registration available at all polling places.