Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – With pressures mounting on California hospitals from the pandemic and other emergencies, the state Legislature approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would help these medical institutions respond to public health crises and ensure patients get the care they need.

A stroke of the Governor’s pen would enable the San Mateo County Community College District to offer fee waivers to more students in need by using existing local revenue and without incurring further costs to the state. SB 893 by Senator Josh Becker allows the college district to operate a pilot program that expands aid to underrepresented and marginalized community members using unrestricted local funds. The district now helps 2,000 students experiencing financial hardship attend its community colleges.

SACRAMENTO –  Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) released the following statement after SB 930, their legislation that would’ve allowed San Francisco, Palm Springs and West Hollywood to extend sales of alcohol at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to as late as 4am on weekends and 3 am during the week, died in the Assembly:

SACRAMENTO ­— The California Senate approved SB 1099, authored by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), today to prevent consumers in bankruptcy from losing their car to repossession when they have never missed a payment and to eliminate the incentive for trustees to stall a case until the family home appreciates enough to forcibly sell it. The bill now heads to Governor Newsom for his consideration.

SACRAMENTO – The California State Assembly passed Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ (D-San Diego) SB 1027, legislation that would expand the jurisdictional boundary of the San Diego River Conservancy (SDRC) to include the entire watershed of the San Diego River. The bill also expands the SDRC’s governing board to include a member of the El Cajon City Council and amends the definition of tribal nation to directly reference the Kumeyaay Bands associated with the area.

SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature has approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would expand a successful program allowing low-income seniors and people with disabilities to receive care in the safety of their own homes.

Sacramento, CA- In a 73 to 0 vote, SB 1472: Ryan’s Law has now passed through both houses of the legislature without a single no vote in the process. The bill is now headed back to the Senate for a concurrence vote and then off to the Governor’s desk. As the perils of reckless driving and excessive speed become more and more evident, this bill’s passage comes as no surprise.

SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly has approved legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would help control the state’s growing wild pig population, reducing damage caused by the invasive species to the environment, private property and agriculture.

SACRAMENTO - Today, Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) legislation to improve health plan accountability, Senate Bill 858, passed the Assembly by a vote of 51-18. It will now go to the Senate for final sign-off before heading to the Governor’s desk. SB 858, the Health Plan Accountability Act, updates and increases the penalty amount for health plans that violate state law in denying or delaying timely access to care.

Senator Dave Cortese (D-Silicon Valley) and Assemblymember Evan Low’s (D-Silicon Valley) bill, SB 1100, to address the increased number of public meeting disruptions local governments are facing statewide was signed into law today by Governor Gavin Newsom.