Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – With no opposition, the state Senate approved legislation by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) today to give consumers more protection when dealing with assigned debt collectors who operate with fewer restrictions than those governing debt that is sold. SB 531, which was approved with bipartisan support earlier this week in the Assembly, now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom for his consideration.

SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Sydney K. Kamlager’s (D - Los Angeles) bill, AB 333: The STEP Forward Act passed off the Senator Floor today. The bill passed in a vote of 25-10 and now heads to the Assembly for a concurrence vote.

The California state Senate today greenlighted Sen. Nancy Skinner’s housing bill, SB 8, which extends the provisions of the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 until 2030 and streamlines the creation of more housing throughout the state. The Senate approved SB 8 on a bipartisan vote of 30-3, after the bill garnered bipartisan approval in the State Assembly earlier this week on a 67-1 vote.  

SACRAMENTO – The Legislature today approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would greatly improve internet connectivity by removing local government roadblocks to the expansion of broadband service, especially in low-income and underserved communities.

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement on SB 1 passing the Assembly in a 58-10 bipartisan vote:

Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed SB 26, a bill by Senators Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, that moves up the implantation date of California’s Fair Pay to Play Act to Sept. 1, 2021. SB 26, which is co-authored by California Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk of Santa Clarita, also expands and strengthens the rights of college athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

VALLEJO – Veronica Bethel Parker, a Vallejo native who played key roles on the staffs of Sens. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, and Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis, announced her retirement today after nearly two decades of public service.

SACRAMENTO – Amid a worsening drought that has underscored the precious nature of California’s dwindling water supplies, the Legislature has approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to streamline improvements to the state’s outdated central water delivery system.

“Water is the lifeblood of our state and we must keep it flowing to our communities and farmers,” Sen. Dodd said. “My bill will help get that done while saving time and money. I thank my fellow lawmakers for their overwhelming support.”

The State of California has passed Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 18, titled “Compassionate California”. Introduced by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), the Resolution declares California to be the first Compassionate State in the United States of America.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) released the following statement after her bill, Senate Bill 453—the Pandemic Preparedness Act passed out of the Senate yesterday and is now on the way to Governor Newsom: