Caucus News

(SACRAMENTO) – Human trafficking has become proliferate across the country, with California leading the way – California is No.1 nationwide in most trafficking per capita. But state leaders are fighting back. Among the pieces of legislation signed by Governor Brown that seek to combat this insidious crime is SB 1104 – authored by Senator Richard D. Roth. In 2020, SB 1104 will take effect requiring schools to provide human trafficking prevention resources to parents and guardians.

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) announced that the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has organized a series of workshops throughout the state to solicit input on the new California Community Reinvestment Grants program.

Fire departments will be required to report annually to their local governing authority on compliance with the state mandate for yearly safety inspections at schools, apartments, hotels, motels and lodging houses under legislation by Senator Jerry Hill that Governor Brown signed.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Bob Wieckowski’s (D-Fremont) bill to eliminate a housing loophole that allows charter cities to reduce sites zoned for affordable housing, even if the action is inconsistent with the cities’ adopted general plans, was signed today by Governor Jerry Brown. SB 1333 is supported by housing advocates who at a time when the state is in the middle of a severe affordability shortage want all cities to do their fair share to end the crisis.

Sacramento, CA – Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to phase out the use of harmful, mile-long fishing nets that ensnare and often kill whales, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life – Senate Bill (SB) 1017.

“This hard-won victory was a long time coming.  Finally we have found a way to phase out the use of these deadly and destructive nets without harming the commercial fishing industry in the process.  I am grateful to Governor Brown for signing it into law,” said Senator Allen.

Sacramento, CA – September 27, 2018 – With the stroke of his pen, Governor Brown today signed into law a bill by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) to improve access to justice for a significant number of Californians by allowing small claims courts in the state to provide interpreters to Limited English Proficient court users during any and all court proceedings.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today Governor Brown signed the Consumer Trust Act, Senate Bill 1194, authored by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), which protects the private information of hotel guests and bus passengers.

Senator Lara introduced the California Trust Act after reports that employees at Motel 6 locations in Arizona and Washington released the personal information of all their guests to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to improve In-Home Supportive Services for low-income and disabled people hit by natural disasters including wildfires.

“Even when disaster strikes, we must continue to care for our most vulnerable populations,” Sen. Dodd said. “This new law brings a statewide approach to the challenge and will ensure a continuity of care for the disabled and elderly. Kudos to Gov. Brown for recognizing the need for it.”

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Senate Bill (SB) 1129 by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.  SB 1129 provides critical financial protections to survivors of violent domestic abuse. 

SACRAMENTO ­– Late yesterday, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr signed Senate Bill 1294, the California Cannabis Equity Act, authored by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena).  This groundbreaking bill, aimed at reversing some of the damaging impacts cannabis prohibition has had on individuals from disadvantaged communities, is the first social equity cannabis measure in the United States.