Senator Scott Wiener

SACRAMENTO- Senator Mark Leno’s bill to reform the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by increasing transparency and commissioner accountability was approved on the Assembly Floor today. SB 215 is part of a package of Commission reforms agreed upon by Governor Brown, Assemblymember Mike Gatto, and Senators Jerry Hill and Mark Leno to improve governance, accountability, oversight and transparency of the California Public Utilities Commission.

SACRAMENTO – The Homeowner Survivor Bill of Rights, authored by Senators Mark Leno and Cathleen Galgiani, was approved by the State Assembly today. Senate Bill 1150 closes a loophole in California law that fails to provide surviving family members important protections against foreclosure that are available to other homeowners.

Senator Mark Leno’s (D-San Francisco) bill to establish a fair standard for proving one’s innocence in California has passed the State Assembly. SB 1134 brings California’s innocence standard in line with 43 other states.
“The wrongful incarceration of an innocent citizen is one of the greatest injustices society can perpetuate,” said Senator Leno. “SB 1134 will provide meaningful relief to innocent people who have new evidence showing their convictions should be reversed.”

Senator Mark Leno’s (D- San Francisco) bill to limit the use of room confinement in juvenile facilities was approved by the State Assembly today and now heads to the Senate for concurrence before reaching the Governor’s desk. Senate Bill 1143 states that room confinement can only be used after less restrictive options have been tried and bans its use for the purposes of punishment, coercion, convenience or retaliation.

SACRAMENTO – California Senate Budget Chair Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) released the following statements regarding the Senate’s passage of the 2016-17 state budget.

A measure authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) and Senator Mark Leno (D – San Francisco) urging California’s Congressional representatives to work to overturn the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision will appear on the November 2016 ballot. 

Senate Bill 1441 seeks to dramatically reduce natural gas leaks throughout California. The bill creates incentives for utilities to reduce natural gas emissions which harm the environment and pose a safety hazard. It also protects consumers by prohibiting utilities from recouping the costs of leaked natural gas from ratepayers.

Legislation that improves transparency, accountability and trust between law enforcement and the public passed the Senate Public Safety Committee with a 5-1 vote. Senate Bill 1286 allows greater public access to peace officer records related to serious uses of force and sustained charges of misconduct.

Senate Bill 1150 helps prevent unnecessary foreclosures when a primary mortgage holder passes away. The bill, authored by Senators Mark Leno and Cathleen Galgiani, closes a loophole in California law that fails to provide surviving spouses and children important protections against foreclosure that are available to other homeowners.

Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen and Senator Mark Leno passed the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, moving one step closer to placement on the November 2016 ballot. Senate Bill (SB) 254 is an advisory measure which urges the United States Congress to overturn the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court ruling.