Caucus News

Senator Bill Dodd

Sen. Dodd’s Insurance Claims Streamlining Bill Clears Legislature

August 28, 2020

SACRAMENTO – A proposal from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would streamline residential insurance claims for victims of disasters such as wildfires passed the Legislature today with bipartisan support.

Bob Wieckowski

California Legislature approves Wieckowski's Scholarshare bill to protect higher education savings accounts

August 27, 2020

SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today approved State Senator Bob Wieckowski’s (D-Fremont) bill to protect ScholarShare 529 savings accounts from creditors in bankruptcy cases, sending the legislation to Governor Newsom for his consideration. The bill is sponsored by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.

Bob Wieckowski

SB 616 goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2020

August 27, 2020

Senator Toni Atkins

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement Regarding Quarantine of Senators, Session

August 27, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the remainder of Senate session and remote voting:

 

Senator Toni Atkins

Senate Leader Atkins’ Statement Regarding Positive Test of COVID-19 Within Senate

August 26, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding a positive test of COVID-19 within the Senate:

Bob Wieckowski

New law to protect Californians struggling with debt to take effect on September 1

August 25, 2020

SACRAMENTO ­– Beginning next Tuesday, Californians taking on more debt through the COVID-19 pandemic, high unemployment and wildfires, will gain some added financial security when a law authored by Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) and supported by consumer groups and legal aid providers goes into effect.

Senate Bill 616 was approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019.  The law creates an automatic bank account exemption to prevent debt collectors from seizing the last $1,788 in a person’s account.

Jerry Hill

California Assembly Passes Landmark Bill to Ban Retails Sales of Flavored Tobacco Products

August 24, 2020

In a strong vote for public health, the Assembly passed Senate Bill 793, the measure that would impose the country’s most stringent state restrictions on retail sales of flavored tobacco products. “The California Assembly stood strong to protect our youth and our communities from Big Tobacco. The assemblymembers who passed SB 793 are the heroes of the day,” said Senator Hill.

Senator Melissa Hurtado

Hurtado and Ramos urge first-ever statewide suicide prevention entity to battle rising suicides amidst COVID-19

August 24, 2020

Hurtado, a principal co-author of the measure, said, “We must take bold moves to address the languishing mental health system. This starts by creating a visible and accountable office with the purpose of focusing on suicide prevention. We cannot continue to watch our loved ones struggle to access care when they are in crisis.

Connie M. Leyva

Senator Leyva Honors Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice in Ontario as “Nonprofit of the Year”

August 24, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) is pleased to recognize Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (IC4IJ) as the 20th State Senate District “Nonprofit of the Year” for 2020.

Bob Wieckowski

Consumers to see new protections from debt collectors as new law takes effect on September 1, 2020

August 24, 2020

SACRAMENTO ­– Help is on the way for Californians in debt who are seeking to protect the last of their meager savings, as a new law barring collectors from zeroing out a debtor’s account goes into effect on September 1.