Senator Steven Bradford

SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that he is launching an independent review of the Torrance Police Department. The review comes following concerning allegations of excessive force, racist text messages, and discrimination. Torrance Chief of Police Jay Hart requested assistance to ensure that changes are implemented to regain the public’s trust.

Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) issued the following statement in response to the announcement:

SACRAMENTO - Today, the Department of Cannabis Control released regulations to implement SB 166, a budget trailer bill that establishes criteria for a $30 million statewide equity cannabis fee waiver program. The program is designed to assist those who were previously convicted or arrested of cannabis related offense, or are living at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income, or live in a community disproportionately negatively impacted by past cannabis policies.

LOS ANGELES ­– Yesterday, Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), partnering with the Los Angeles Southwest College Foundation and the Church of Latter-day Saints, distributed over one thousand turkeys, beef roasts, and gift cards to families in need.  Senator Bradford continued this annual tradition which he started in Gardena as a City Councilmember and then as a State Assemblymember.

SACRAMENTO – Following the guilty verdict in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery made earlier today, Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) released the following statement:

“Justice was served today with the conviction of the three men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery last year in Georgia. This guilty verdict shows that, for once, justice was not blind to facts. Arbery was chased down and murdered by three individuals acting as a modern-day lynch mob trying to disguise themselves beneath an archaic citizen’s arrest law.

SACRAMENTO ­– Yesterday, Senate Bill 796, authored by Senator Bradford (D-Gardena), was approved 38-0 during a final concurrence vote on the Senate Floor. SB 796 will authorize the County of Los Angeles to return the beachfront property known as Bruce’s Beach to the Bruce family.

SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 177 into law.  This budget trailer bill eliminates 17 criminal and vehicle fees that disproportionately impact poor people of color who cannot afford to pay for the fees.  Fees have been used to pay for the cost associated with the carceral system and are separate from fines that are imposed for violating the law.  AB 177 incorporated a majority of the changes that were present in a previous version of SB 586 (Bradford, 2021). Senator Steven Bradford issued this statement in response to the signing:

SACRAMENTO ­– Today, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 2. Authored by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) and Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), SB 2 aims to increase accountability for law enforcement officers that commit serious misconduct and illegally violate a person’s civil rights.

SACRAMENTO ­– Today, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 796. Authored by Senator Bradford (D-Gardena), SB 796 authorizes the County of Los Angeles to return the beachfront property known as Bruce’s Beach to the Bruce family.

SACRAMENTO – On October 8th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 567 into law to modify the criminal sentencing process. SB 567 creates a presumption of sentencing judgement of imprisonments and enhancements not to exceed the middle terms, unless there are circumstances in aggravation of a crime that justify the imposition of the upper term.