Caucus News

Today, SB 1437, “Better and Equitable Sentencing Through Thoughtful (BESTT) Practices” by State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), passed the California Senate today on a bipartisan vote. SB 1437 was introduced to clarify the application of California’s “felony murder” rule to ensure that individuals are charged appropriately for the crime they actually committed. Skinner’s bill must now pass the Assembly and be signed by Governor Brown to become law.

SACRAMENTO -- A bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would protect consumers from the kinds of data breaches that have exposed the personal financial information of hundreds of millions of people nationwide was approved Wednesday by the Senate despite intense industry lobbying.

“This is a common sense measure to help protect consumers from future data breaches and punish companies that fail to properly protect data,” Senator Dodd said. “It will give consumers recourse and provide a strong incentive for firms to act responsibly with our data.”

SACRAMENTO -- Senator Jim Beall’s bill to increase the effectiveness of mental health and addiction supportive services that also reduces state costs was approved today by the Senate. Senate Bill 906 passed on a unanimous vote.

SB 906 proposes to certify qualified peer providers -- people with lived experiences as family members, clients, or caretakers of individuals recovering from addiction or mental illness – to provide support services that help their clients complete their treatments or therapies.

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Senate approved passage of legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that protects the retirement security of California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) members by ensuring that any collectively-bargained compensation agreed to by their employer cannot be reduced during retirement as a result of incorrectly reported compensation by employers.

Senate approves family-protection bill addressing delays, financial hardships   

SACRAMENTO – In a vote welcomed by families statewide, California Senators today approved a plan to fix unintended delays and financial hardships in a new statewide program for placing individuals with foster caregivers.  

SACRAMENTO – In order to improve consumer protections and rein in predatory behavior that is driving up health care costs for Californians, the California State Senate today approved legislation with bipartisan support seeking to put an end to insurance schemes carried out by profit driven businesses primarily targeted at individuals undergoing treatment for kidney disease and addiction.

SACRAMENTO – In the Capitol today, Senate Leader Toni Atkins recognized San Diego-based ElderHelp as Nonprofit of the Year in the 39th District.

SACRAMENTO – With strong bipartisan support, the California State Senate today passed important legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that will require law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories to promptly analyze and test all newly collected rape kit evidence in California.

Today, with bipartisan support, the California State Senate passed SB 1421, Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) “Protecting Communities and Law Enforcement” legislation. SB 1421 would open the door for a limited set of records related to a law enforcement officer’s use of serious force, on the job sexual assault, or dishonesty to be available to the public. Skinner’s bill must now pass the Assembly and be signed by Governor Brown to become law.

Yesterday, the California Senate passed Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) SB 1369 to support the development of pilot projects that will produce hydrogen gas from excess electricity generated by renewable energy installations. SB 1369 is now on its way to the Assembly.