Caucus News

Sacramento, CA – Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), the author of SB 643 – The Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act – announced that an agreement has been reached on historic medical marijuana legislation between Governor Brown’s office, the State Senate and State Assembly.
“After two decades of no regulation, I am pleased to report an agreement has been reached on one of the most comprehensive medical marijuana bills in the nation,” Senator McGuire said.

Sacramento, CA – Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), the author of SB 643 – The Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act – announced an agreement has been reached on historic medical marijuana legislation between Governor Brown’s office, the State Senate and the State Assembly.

“After two decades of no regulation, I am pleased to report an agreement has been reached on one of the most comprehensive medical marijuana bills in the nation,” Senator McGuire said.

SACRAMENTO – The Senate today approved SB 588 by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, an effort to fight the exploitation of low-wage earners who are cheated out of millions of dollars every week in wages by unscrupulous employers. The Fair Day’s Pay Act gives the state Labor Commissioner additional weapons to combat wage theft, such as wage-bond requirements, stop-work orders, and the ability to hold employers individually responsible for unpaid debts to workers.

SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 32, a measure aimed at bolstering California’s efforts to combat climate pollution well into the 21st Century, will not be considered during the waning hours of the legislative session set to adjourn late Friday.Rather, it will become a two-year bill taken up again when lawmakers return to the Capitol early next year.

The California State Assembly approved Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) proposal to protect California’s small businesses and ensure access for the disabled community on a bipartisan vote of 63-4 today.

Senate Bill 251 is supported by the California Chamber of Commerce as a “job creator,” and is a narrowly crafted provision that provides businesses with much needed disability access education, resources and training.

Sacramento – The State Senate today gave final approval to SB 792 authored by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), on a bipartisan vote of 31 to 5. The bill will protect California children in day care from contracting serious diseases by requiring family day care home and day care center workers and volunteers to be vaccinated against measles, pertussis, and influenza. The bill now goes to Governor Brown for consideration.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) prohibiting schools from providing drinking water that does not meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standards for lead passed its final hurdle in the Legislature today and now advances to Governor Jerry Brown for consideration.
SB 334 specifically requires that school districts take steps each school day to provide free, clean and safe drinking water on campus to students, teachers, employees and visitors.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senator Jim Beall to stop the indiscriminate use of potent psychotropic drugs given to foster care youth was approved by the Senate today. Senate Bills 319 and 484 will be sent to the Governor. “We must never allow the state’s most traumatized children to be shackled with chemical restraints simply because it is the most expedient way to control their behavior,’’ Beall said.

SACRAMENTO – Power users in California and neighboring Western states would have greater access to more reliable and less expensive sources of renewable energy under a plan to fight climate change unveiled today by Sen. Bob Hertzberg.

SACRAMENTO – Concurring unanimously in Assembly amendments, the Senate today sent to Gov. Brown a plan to extend a soon-to-expire program to help taxpayers who are overcharged by the state Franchise Tax Board.