Caucus News

Ricardo Lara

Legislature Bans Referral Payments that Hurt Patients in Recovery from Addiction

August 31, 2018

Substance Use Disorder Patient Protection Act (Senate Bill 1228) will prevent patient brokering in state-licensed and certified treatment facilities

SACRAMENTO, CA – Responding to reports of fraud and abuse of patients in recovery from opioid and other addictions, the California Legislature passed the state’s first bill that outlaws patient brokering in the treatment industry.

Senator Nancy Skinner

Legislature Passes Skinner’s SB 782 to Open Access to Energy Data

August 31, 2018

Sacramento, CA — Today the California State Legislature passed State Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) SB 782 to make it easier to collect and share energy use data from multi-family and commercial buildings. SB 782 now goes to Governor Brown’s desk for his signature.

Senator Scott Wiener

Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s Bill to Stem Rising Rates of Youth Homelessness Passes California Legislature

August 31, 2018

Sacramento –  Today Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) and Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s (D-Baldwin Park) bill to help the rising number of homeless youth in California, Senate Bill 918, passed the California Legislature. It passed with a vote of 39-0 and now heads to the Governor for his signature.

SB 918 directs the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to set specific measurable goals and map progress toward ending youth homelessness. The council is also required to

Senator Scott Wiener

Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s Bill to Stem Rising Rates of Youth Homelessness Passes California Legislature

August 31, 2018

Sacramento –  Today Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) and Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s (D-Baldwin Park) bill to help the rising number of homeless youth in California, Senate Bill 918, passed the California Legislature. It passed with a vote of 39-0 and now heads to the Governor for his signature.

SB 918 directs the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to set specific measurable goals and map progress toward ending youth homelessness. The council is also required to

Senator Bill Dodd

Legislature Approves Senator Dodd’s Insurance Reform Bill

August 31, 2018

SACRAMENTO – Despite intense insurance industry lobbying, lawmakers on Friday approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that will help victims of disasters such as wildfires recover losses from their insurance companies. 

Senator Anthony J. Portantino

Science and Kids Win as Senator Portantino’s SB 328, School Start Time Bill Passes the Assembly Floor

August 31, 2018

Sacramento, CA– Today, the California State Assembly voted to pass SB 328, the School Start Time Bill, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino, D–La Cañada Flintridge. 

Senator Nancy Skinner

Legislature Passes Senator Skinner’s SB 1008 to Put Teeth in Consumer Protections for Dental Insurance Plans

August 31, 2018

Sacramento, CA — Today the California Legislature passed Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) bill to provide consumers better information about the services provided by dental insurance policies. The legislation, SB 1008, ensures that dental insurance companies are subject to similar disclosure requirements as health insurance. SB 1008 must now be signed by Governor Brown to become law.

Holly J. Mitchell

Aug. 31, 2018: Plan to set age 12 as minimum for prosecution goes to governor

August 31, 2018

Senate passes #Equity&Justice-reform bill

SACRAMENTO – Lawmakers today sent Gov. Brown a plan to exclude children age 11 and younger from juvenile court jurisdiction to promote the rights, health and well-being of youth by curbing premature exposure to incarceration.

Senator Bill Dodd

California State Senate to Vote on Comprehensive Report to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires and Protect Californians

August 31, 2018

                                                                 

SACRAMENTO – The California Senate will vote today on Senate Bill 901, the comprehensive legislative report detailing plans for preventing future catastrophic wildfires across the state while protecting utility ratepayers from unfairly bearing the costs of wildfire impacts.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, calls SB 901 a “commonsense solution that puts ratepayers and victims first, embraces wildfire-prevention best practices and reduces fire fuel in our forests.”

Ben Hueso

Local Conservation Corps Bill Approved by State Legislature

August 31, 2018

Sacramento, CA – August 31, 2018 – The California State Legislature yesterday gave its final approval for Senate Bill No. 1181, authored by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), which would authorize the Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to enter into an agreement directly with one or more Local Conservation Corps to perform emergency or disaster response services at the discretion of CalOES. The measure received unanimous bicameral support and now awaits action by Governor Jerry Brown.