Caucus News

IRVINE, CA — Earlier today, Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) presented a $15 million check on behalf of the State of California to ALERTWildfire program representatives and their partners. ALERTWildfire is a consortium of three universities-- the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the University of Nevada, Reno, and the University of Oregon-- working closely with partners across the region, including the Orange County Fire Authority and Southern California Edison here in Orange County, to develop better solutions for early wildfire detection and prevention. 

SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) today announced that his child safety bill, SB 654, advanced from the Assembly Appropriations Committee, leaving it on the cusp of being signed into law by the Governor. SB 654 would require judges to consider a parent’s history of violence and substance abuse when considering unsupervised visits with their child or children, and would also provide children with greater protections against testifying against their parents in custody proceedings. 

SACRAMENTO, CA – In a zoom press conference Dr. Richard Pan joined students from across the nation as they announced ProtectUS’ “Student Health Ambassador” program to support teens demanding school officials and community take precautions that have been proven to reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Five climate and equity bills by State Senator Josh Becker cleared a major hurdle today when the powerful Assembly Appropriations Committee passed the legislation, giving them a green light to advance to the full Assembly for a vote. “My bills are a very important step closer to the finish line as we head into the final two weeks of my first legislative year,” said Senator Becker, D-Peninsula. “I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues in both houses who have enabled my bills to advance.”

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) has released the following statement regarding the Assembly’s 45-19 bipartisan vote to pass SB 9, the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act:

SACRAMENTO - 8 of Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) bills, including legislation to strengthen mental health and substance use disorder care, increase the amount of housing affordable to working families, and help small businesses recover from COVID-19 by making outdoor dining permanent, will be taken up for a full Assembly vote over the next two weeks. The bills will then need final sign-off (“concurrence”) by the Senate.

The deadline for the Legislature to approve bills is Friday, September 10.

SACRAMENTO - Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) Senate Bill 519, which decriminalizes the possession and personal use of certain psychedelic drugs, will now become a two-year bill. The bill thus remains alive and will be eligible to move forward next year. This groundbreaking legislation moved significantly farther than anticipated — passing the full Senate and passing all of its Assembly policy committees. That said, more time was needed to lay educational groundwork with members and the public to ensure the bill’s success.

The California state Senate today unanimously approved SB 26, a bill by Senators Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, that will move up the effective 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, R-Santa Clarita, will also expand and strengthen the rights of college athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

SACRAMENTO – Earlier today, the California State Assembly approved legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that seeks to empower survivors of workplace harassment or discrimination in California.

SACRAMENTO, CA — Ahead of its hearing in the California Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, Senate Bill (SB) 654, authored by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), received a key endorsement from actress Angelina Jolie, who is internationally recognized for her advocacy for the rights of women and children around the world, and who has previously called for the needs, health, and safety of children to be centered in child custody and child protection reforms, including in California.