Caucus News

Bob Wieckowski

Assembly approves Wieckowski California Public Records Act bill

September 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Advocates of a strong California Public Records Act (CPRA) achieved a victory today when the state Assembly approved Senate Bill 518 by Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) to prevent government agencies from transferring the costs of attorney’s fees onto public records requesters.

Richard Pan

Governor Signs SB 276 Into Law

September 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO, CA – Dr. Richard Pan, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and a broad coalition of doctors, health care providers, public health officials, family and child advocates and parents celebrated the signing of Senate Bill 276 into law today, which will prevent fake medical exemptions and require oversight of the medical exemption process.

Senator Nancy Skinner

Gov. Newsom Signs SB 419, Ending Willful Defiance Suspensions

September 9, 2019

Gov. Newsom today signed Senate Bill 419 by state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. SB 419 is designed to keep kids in school by eliminating willful defiance suspensions in grades 4-5 and banning them in grades 6-8 for five years. The new law applies to both traditional public schools and charter schools.  

“SB 419 puts the needs of kids first,” Sen. Skinner said. “Ending willful defiance suspensions will keep kids in school where they belong and where teachers and counselors can help them thrive.”

Senator Toni Atkins

Senate Leader Atkins Reacts to Governor Newsom’s Signature of SB 276

September 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement on Senate Bill 276 being signed into law:

“I commend Senator Pan for his tireless work in advancing public health protections in California, and thank Governor Newsom for his signature of SB 276. Now that the bill is law, we must work with the Administration to ensure this important measure is implemented effectively in order to protect the safety and wellness of our communities.”

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Robert M. Hertzberg

Hertzberg Announces Cannabis Banking Bill to Wait Until 2020

September 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) announced today that he will not be advancing SB 51 this year, but emphasized his commitment to work together with sponsor Fiona Ma and the Governor’s Office to iron out necessary clarifications and implementation details.

“If we’re going to do this, we have to do it right,” said Hertzberg. “We owe it to the dozens of cities, counties, and cannabis industry officials who have been supporting this effort to see it through.”

Senator Susan Rubio

Governor Signs Rubio Bill Adding Domestic Violence Hotline to Student IDs

September 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO, CA – Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that he signed legislation by Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that provides students with a confidential phone number, printed on their ID cards, to call if they are victims of domestic violence. 

Senator Susan Rubio

Governor Newsom Signs Senator Rubio, Commissioner Lara Bill Extending and Expanding Low Cost Auto Insurance

September 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Friday that continues a statewide affordable auto insurance program for low-income individuals as well as opens it up to more students.

Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) and California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara partnered on SB 570, which changes the sunset deadline for the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program to Jan. 1, 2025.  In addition, the bill aligns statute with current practice to allow eligible emancipated 16 and 17 year olds to access the program. 

Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado’s Bill to Provide Relief for Families without Reliable Access to Water Heads to Governor’s Desk

September 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senate Bill 513, authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), is headed towards Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for approval. The bill, which received bi-partisan support, will provide relief for families without reliable access to water by delivering a temporary alternative source of water supply.

Senator Bill Dodd

Legislature Approves Sen. Dodd’s Plan to Improve Water Management

September 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO – The Legislature has approved a proposal from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would help the state manage its water, protecting the precious resource for people and the environment.

“Stream gages provide important information in this era of droughts and flooding, driven in part by climate change,” Sen. Dodd said. “This bill is an important step toward managing our water for the long run. You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”

Senator Tom Umberg

E-Bike Vouchers Bill Signed by Governor Newsom

September 9, 2019

Senate Bill 400 (SB 400), authored by Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) expanding the state’s incentives for turning in old, polluting cars to include vouchers for bikeshare and e-bikes was signed into law today by Governor Gavin Newsom. SB 400, adds bikeshare and e-bikes as mobility options in the Clean Cars 4 All Program, which will provide a strong incentive for Californians to switch from car to bike travel.