Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – SB 398, authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino), passed from the Senate Floor earlier today.  This legislation will provide technical assistance to small non-profits, communities and businesses to access funding for energy efficiency upgrades or projects that lessen the negative health impacts of poor air quality.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          
June 3, 2015

Sacramento – Senator Holly J. Mitchell's bill to repeal the Maximum Family Grant (MFG) rule in the CalWORKs program has been approved by the Senate. CalWORKs benefits are normally based, in part, on the number of family members in a household – except when a child is born into a family that is already receiving those benefits.

SB 660 Limits the Powers of the CPUC President, Restricts Back-Channel Communications and Sets Standards to Curb Bias

Sacramento – A bill to restore public trust and accountability in government by strengthening California’s conflict of interest laws was approved today by the State Senate on a unanimous bipartisan vote of 37 to 0. SB 330 authored by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), would define what family relationships would constitute a financial conflict interest for a public official in voting on public contracts before any governmental body, board or commission of which that public officer is a member. The bill now goes to the State Assembly for consideration.

SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today approved a plan by Sen. Bob Hertzberg to improve the ability of the working poor to reach their jobs while also helping Californians by reducing non-safety-related traffic fines.

SB 140 Prohibits Smoking of E-Cigarettes at Workplaces, Schools, Restaurants and Hospitals
SACRAMENTO – The Senate passed legislation today that protects the public against exposure to electronic cigarettes. Senate Bill 140, authored by Senator Mark Leno, addresses growing health concerns related to e-cigarettes by ensuring they are accurately defined as tobacco products and fall under the state’s existing smoke-free laws.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation that limits the use of solitary confinement at state and county juvenile correctional facilities passed the Senate today. Senate Bill 124, authored by Senator Mark Leno, creates statewide standards that encourage the use of less damaging and more effective disciplinary actions. The bill is similar to a settlement recently reached between Contra Costa County and disability rights advocates following allegations of solitary confinement abuses of special needs youth in that county’s juvenile hall.

 Lured by Tax Credit Negotiated by Pro Tem, TV Productions Come to California

Oakland – State Senator Bob Wieckowski’s (D-Fremont) Senate Environmental Quality Committee held its second informational hearing of the year on how state and local governments and regional agencies can improve coordination of California’s climate change adaptation efforts.  Today’s meeting, held in Oakland, focused on climate impacts and adaptation efforts in the Bay Area.