Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – A bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to improve public safety during power outages by requiring newly sold or installed garage door motors to be equipped with backup batteries was approved by the full Senate Thursday in a unanimous, bipartisan vote.

“This is an important safety measure that will provide a quicker and safer evacuation when electric power is lost,” Senator Dodd said. “For seniors, disabled people and those who are unable to manually lift a door, a backup battery in an emergency situation could be the difference between life and death.”

Today, with bipartisan support, the California Senate passed Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) SB 1025, legislation that will give judges discretion to grant probation for certain nonviolent drug offenses. Skinner’s bill must now pass the Assembly and be signed by Governor Brown to become law.

Today, with unanimous support, the California Senate passed Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) SB 1138, “Ensuring a Plant Based Meal Option,” which would require hospitals, healthcare facilities and prisons to offer “plant-based” meals to people in these institutions.

SACRAMENTO –Legislation by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to shed light on what large California companies pay their employees passed off the Senate floor today. SB 1284 gives businesses a chance to self-examine their pay practices while providing California an opportunity to monitor the progress toward equal pay.

Today the California State Senate approved Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) E-CAr legislation, SB 1014. E-CAr, which stands for Electrify California Ride-hailing, would accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles and other zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) deployed by ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. Skinner’s legislation would set zero-emission targets for passenger or vehicle miles traveled as a result of rides arranged through Transportation Network Companies (TNCs).

Sacramento, CA – A measure by that would prohibit the practice of paying signature gatherers on a per-signature basis, was approved by the California State Senate today. Senate Bill (SB) 1394, authored by Fullerton Democrat Josh Newman, passed the Senate on a 24-13 vote.

Sacramento, CA – A measure to allow California drivers to order a DMV license plate with their favorite California professional sports team logo, was approved by the California State Senate today. Senate Bill (SB) 1189 would require revenues from the sports license plate to be used to fund operations and maintenance of state parks.

Sacramento, California – The California State Senate voted to pass SB 1422 and SB 1263. Both measures are authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino, D–La Cañada Flintridge.  They will help increase the knowledge of the risks of micro plastic materials and microfibers on the marine environment and drinking water.  These issues impose a potential threat to the public’s health as the levels of micro plastics in drinking water are not currently monitored.

Sen. Holly J. Mitchell: CalWORKS bill would help children thrive

SACRAMENTO – In a move that promises to help alleviate childhood deep poverty, the California Senate today approved on a bipartisan 39-0 vote a plan to modestly raising cash grants for eligible working-class families statewide.

Sen. Holly J. Mitchell: CalWORKS bill would help children thrive

SACRAMENTO – In a move that promises to help alleviate childhood deep poverty, the California Senate today approved on a bipartisan 39-0 vote a plan to modestly raising cash grants for eligible working-class families statewide.