Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – A bill from Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that will improve In-Home Supportive Services for those hit with natural disasters like the October wildfires was approved by the full Senate Thursday by unanimous vote.

“When disaster strikes, it is absolutely necessary that we continue to look after our elderly and disabled residents,” Sen. Dodd said. “We cannot neglect these vulnerable people. I applaud my fellow senators for supporting this legislation and for standing with the people across the state who will benefit from it.”

Watch and listen to Sen. Holly J. Mitchell's Senate Floor remarks on SCR 127, National Mental Health Awareness Week, and the role 'green' plays by clicking on link above.

Watch and listen to Sen. Holly J. Mitchell's Senate Floor remarks on SCR 127, National Mental Health Awareness Week, and the role 'green' plays by clicking on link above.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the California Senate passed the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Senate Bill 946), which ends criminal penalties for sidewalk vendors statewide and puts them on a path to having a safe and legal business.

Sacramento, CA – Senator Mike McGuire’s legislation that extends the length of time CalFire investigators and local District Attorneys can prosecute rogue cannabis grows passed its first Senate committee. This legislation is critical to protect pristine California forestland from illegal clearing during timber to cannabis conversions, destroying watersheds and polluting drinking water supplies and killing wildlife. The bear-like mammal, the Fisher, is close to extension due to the practices of rogue cannabis growers.

Sacramento — A scathing state audit released today confirms the concerns of Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Jim Wood that significant deficiencies exist in the quality of patient care at audited skilled nursing facilities, specifically Brius Healthcare, owner of several facilities in the North Coast. The audit also reveals a considerable lack of oversight by state agencies which has significantly impacted patient care.

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today passed Senate Bill 820—which will ban the inclusion of secret settlements related to specified sexual misconduct, including sexual assault and sexual harassment—by a vote of 5-1.

Authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino), SB 820 will specifically ban secret settlements (non-disclosure agreements) in cases of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sex discrimination. The measure will apply to both private and public employers in California, including the California State Legislature.

SACRAMENTO – Senate Leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) today reacted with the following statement to the announcement that California is leading a coalition of 17 states and the District of Columbia in suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to preserve states’ authority to pursue stronger emissions standards:

“The U.S. EPA has left California with no choice but to once again take the federal government to court in order to protect our state’s commitment to combating climate change through higher fuel-efficiency standards.

Sacramento –  Today Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement after Governor Jerry Brown and Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced they will be leading an 18-state coalition that is suing the United State Environmental Protection Agency to preserve the nation’s single vehicle emission standard that the Trump Administration is revoking:

The California Inclusion Act, Senate Bill 174, rewrites discriminatory 146-year-old law  enacted in time of exclusion and fear

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) introduced Senate Bill 174, the California Inclusion Act, which opens civil service on local and state boards and commissions to all Californians, regardless of immigration status.