Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature today approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would create a blueprint for accelerating broadband deployment, including expanded wireless access, in an effort to improve connectivity for all Californians, especially low-income people and the underserved.

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 987, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) which addresses significant disparities in cancer patient access, has passed the Legislature and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.  SB 987 provides an equitable model of health care for cancer patients by expanding Medi-Cal patient eligibility for necessary clinical expertise and resources.  

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 1302, a measure authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank), will provide grants to high schools to establish or improve wellness and mental health support centers on campus.  The measure is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 941, a measure authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) which seeks to address teacher shortages and improve student learning environments, is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.  SB 941 would authorize school districts to locally determine inter-district collaboration for courses related to STEM and dual language immersion.  The bill was inspired by comments the Senator received from parents in the Pasadena Unified School District during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sacramento, CA - Senate Bill 1255, a measure introduced by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) which seeks to reduce waste in K–12 schools, is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.  SB 1255 would establish a dishwasher grant program to address the state’s single-use trash and waste crisis.  The idea for the bill was brought to Senator Portantino by members of the Glendale Environmental Coalition.

SACRAMENTO – Moving California just one step away from creating greater contraceptive equity statewide, the California State Senate passed Senate Bill 523 to expand and modernize birth control access in California regardless of an individual’s gender, insurance coverage status, where they work or where they go to school.  Following today’s action, SB 523 now moves to the Governor for his consideration.

Sacramento, Calif. – On August 31, 2022, Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) and community advocates celebrated the successful passage of SB 1137 in the State Legislature. SB 1137 would require health and safety buffer zones of 3,200 ft between new and reworked oil wells and sensitive receptors such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, and strengthen protections for people living near existing oil wells.

SACRAMENTO - Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement:

“We have made the difficult decision not to call up SB 866 for a vote on the Assembly floor. While the votes are very close, we are several votes short of 41, and we don’t see a viable path for those final few votes.

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 1016, authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.  The measure would enhance special education services for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).  FASD is currently not a recognized category for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).   It is also not named as a disorder under the Other Health Impaired category by the California Department of Education.  SB 1016 seeks to remedy these circumstances.

Sacramento, CA - Senate Bill 932, authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety, passed the Legislature this evening and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.  The bill requires California cities to take concrete steps to reduce traffic collisions and fatalities and has garnered an impressive list of supporters, including Streets For All, ActiveSGV, CalBike, and Streets Are For Everyone.