Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – Responding to the need for more reliable zero-carbon energy as California faces increasing strain on its electricity grid, the Legislature early today approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to extend the life of the state’s only nuclear power facility at Diablo Canyon, preventing energy disruptions and ensuring affordability for ratepayers.

SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature has approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would assist the creation of affordable housing in California by identifying excess state property that could be used for development, advancing earlier initiatives from Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the state housing crisis.

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement following the end of the 2021-22 Legislative Session:

SACRAMENTO – State Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) issued the following statement today regarding the finalization of the purchase of Watsonville Hospital by the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District:
“It is heartening to know that the purchase of Watsonville Hospital by the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District has been finalized, ensuring this vital facility is entrusted to public hands. Watsonville Hospital is a lifeline for the Pajaro Valley – from the beginning of life to the end, this facility will remain steady in its mission.

Sacramento, California – Senate Bill 562, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank), passed the Legislature and is headed to the Governor’s desk.  The measure seeks to eliminate barriers to help patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) access more options of Behavior Health Treatment (BHT).

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 1002, a measure authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) seeks to address the mental health provider shortage.  It is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.  SB 1002 would authorize qualified social workers to offer assessment and psychotherapy for mental or behavioral health issues, in order to provide additional resources to injured workers in need of immediate care.

Sacramento, CA - Senate Bill 959, authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) passed the Legislature and is on the Governor’s desk for signature.  With the SR 710 freeway gap between Alhambra and Pasadena no longer on the table, the City of Pasadena expressed a need for legislative changes to the current property sales process.

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review,  released the following statements regarding the Senate’s passage of the August Budget Package, a series of bills to further delineate 2022-23 budget funding that will bolster California’s commitment to putting its wealth to work to benefit all who live in the Golden State:

 Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins:

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill, 974 authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) addresses a significant flaw in women’s healthcare insurance coverage.  The bill fixes a delay and absence of live-saving early detection diagnosis by expanding health care coverage for diagnostic breast imaging following an abnormal mammography.  SB 974 has passed both houses of the Legislature and is on the Governor’s desk for signature.

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.  SB 870 is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.