Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee, released the following statement on the 2022-23 final budget passed by the Senate and Assembly today:

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys released the following after the state Senate late Wednesday sent Gov. Newsom  Senate Bill 1327, a plan to help end gun violence by allowing private citizens to sue gun manufacturers.  

“If we save one life – one life! – we’ve done the right thing,” Hertzberg said shortly before the 26-to-9 vote.

Gov. Newsom backs the first-in-the-nation law and is expected to sign the bill almost immediately.

SACRAMENTO – Members of the legislative Vaccine Work Group have been advocating for cohesive and comprehensive, evidenced-based policies in the 2022-23 Budget to strengthen the state’s ability to respond to public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion of a historic $375 million investment in California’s public health infrastructure and over $2 billion to fight COVID and ensure equitable access to testing and vaccines positions California to continue moving forward to protect Californians.

SACRAMENTO — High housing costs and a tight rental market are two well-known obstacles for Californians looking for a place to live. But the jolt of higher than expected energy bills caused by inefficient appliances or poor insulation can also add to the financial burden facing renters.

SACRAMENTO — A bill to reduce a number of obstacles homeowners face when attempting to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) was approved today by the Assembly Local Government Committee. Senator Bob Wieckowski’s (D-Fremont) SB 897 will now head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill is supported by a vast coalition of affordable housing organizations, business associations, rental housing proponents, and building and senior associations.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation advanced today from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would ensure California’s presidential electors cast ballots for candidates who won the popular vote and do not instead switch candidates or abstain from voting.

“This is a commonsense measure that ensures electors uphold their responsibilities. Those who go rogue threaten the underpinnings of our democracy and cannot be tolerated,” Sen. Dodd said. “We must protect the legitimacy of our free election process and prevent extreme partisanship from denying the will of the voters.”

Sacramento, CA - Senate Bill 870, a measure authored by Senators Anthony J. Portantino and Scott Wilk, seeks to increases the “age of onset” definition of a developmental disability to twenty-two.  In addition, it expands supportive services and programs for those 18-21 who are developmentally disabled.  Today, it passed the Assembly Human Services Committee.

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 230, an environmental protection measure authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) to improve drinking water by investigating Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs), passed the Assembly Environmental and Toxic Materials Committee.  Constituents of Emerging Concern are a diverse group of synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals or microorganisms that are not currently regulated in drinking water.

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bills 974 and 987, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) which address the delay and absence of live-saving treatments for cancer patients, passed the Assembly Health Committee.  SB 974 expands health care coverage for diagnostic breast imaging following an abnormal mammography and SB 987 aims to address significant disparities in cancer patient access by expanding Medi-Cal patient eligibility for necessary clinical expertise and resources.

UPDATED: The Legislature approved more than $12 million in Peninsula investments proposed by Senator Josh Becker in the package of trailer bills that were passed on June 29 and sent to Governor Newsom, who signed them June 30. “This funding will help improve the lives of Peninsula residents while strongly contributing to a healthier environment, strengthening pathways to skilled, good-paying jobs, fostering entrepreneurship and local business, and creating parklets in our county seat for all to enjoy,” said state Senator Josh Becker, D-Peninsula.