Caucus News

Robert M. Hertzberg

Hertzberg Bill to Permit Graffiti Abatement Programs Heads to Senate Floor

April 25, 2018

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, announced today that his bill to ensure the continued funding and operation of graffiti abatement programs in the City of Los Angeles cleared the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee and is headed to a vote on the Senate Floor.

Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in Los Angeles have provided graffiti abatement services for almost three decades connecting people to their neighborhoods, empowering youth who benefit from employment experience, and community investment.

Senator Nancy Skinner

Skinner’s SB 1469 to Encourage Accessory Dwelling Units Clears Key Committees

April 25, 2018

SB 1469, “Let Thousands of Homes Bloom”, by State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) was passed by the California State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on Tuesday and by the State Senate Government and Finance committee this afternoon. The bill now goes to Senate Appropriations. SB 1469 promotes the creation of accessory dwelling units, such as backyard cottages and “granny flats” by further easing local regulations and fees that remain obstacles to such housing options.

Robert M. Hertzberg

Hertzberg Cannabis Banking Proposal Passes Second Policy Committee

April 25, 2018

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, announced today that his legislation to create a banking fix for legal cannabis business in California cleared another critical hurdle on its pathway to becoming law. SB 930 passed the Senate Governance and Finance Committee this morning on a bipartisan vote.

Senator Nancy Skinner

Senator Skinner’s SB 1138 would offer plant-based meal options in hospitals and prisons

April 25, 2018

Today, Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) held a press conference to highlight her bill SB 1138, which would ensure that institutions including hospitals, nursing facilities and prisons offer “plant-based” meal options.

Senator Scott Wiener

Bill to Expand Conservatorship Laws to Help Chronically Homeless with Mental Health & Substance Abuse Issues Passes Committee with Unanimous & Bipartisan Support

April 25, 2018

Sacramento – A bill by Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Henry Stern (D-Canoga Park) to expand and strengthen California conservatorship laws passed its second Senate policy committee yesterday with unanimous and bipartisan support.

Senator Anthony J. Portantino

Senator Portantino’s Korean Driver’s License Passes Key Policy Committee

April 25, 2018

Sacramento, California – Today, the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing voted to pass SB 1360. The bill,  authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino, D – La Cañada Flintridge, allows a person with a driver’s license from the Republic of Korea to be exempt from specific testing requirements when applying for a California driver’s license.

Senator Bill Dodd

Senator Dodd’s Drinking Water Access Bill Advances

April 25, 2018

SACRAMENTO – Legislation from Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would protect financially strapped families from getting their water service disconnected cleared the Senate Judiciary committee late Tuesday.

“It is essential that we have an efficient, sustainable and equitable water system in California,” Sen. Dodd said. “This bill gets us closer to that goal by protecting families that have fallen on hard times and ensuring they have due process. I will continue pushing for smart water policy in Sacramento.”

Senator Scott Wiener

Senator Wiener’s Net Neutrality Bill Clears Final Senate Policy Committee

April 24, 2018

Sacramento–  Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) bill to restore net neutrality in California passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Senate Bill 822 restores the net neutrality protections put in place by the Federal Communications Commission under President Obama in 2015. These protections were repealed by the FCC under President Trump. 

Senator Nancy Skinner

Committee Vote Advances Skinner’s Gender Equity on State Boards and Commissions

April 24, 2018

Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) bill to require each of California’s appointed state boards and commissions have, at minimum, about half of their members be women advanced out of the California State Senate Judiciary Committee this evening. Skinner’s bill, SB 984, will now go to Senate Appropriations.

Robert M. Hertzberg

Hertzberg Bot Bill Clears Second Hurdle; Heads to Appropriations

April 24, 2018

SACRAMENTO –Senator Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, announced today that SB 1001, a bill he authored with the support of Common Sense Kids Action to require social media companies to label automated accounts on their sites, passed its second committee hearing when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved it on a 5-1 vote.