Caucus News

SACRAMENTO ­– Today, Senator Bradford (D-Gardena) introduced SB 1135 to help low-income residents of California pay their monthly electric and gas bills. SB 1135 expands the authority of the California Public Utilities Commission to take into account the cost-of-living in a customer’s region when determining eligibility for the State’s highly successful, California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program. This program provides low-income customers a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill.

SACRAMENTO—Today, Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) introduced SB 1125, legislation that allows community health centers to bill Medi-Cal for two visits if a patient is provided mental-health services on the same day they receive other medical services.

Sacramento, California- Senator Anthony J. Portantino had the honor to welcome Mandy R. Redfern, Ph.D., a 2018 California Teacher of the Year Finalist to the California State Senate.  Redfern and a slate of outstanding teachers were recognized at a reception in the Capitol on Monday night.

SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate voted 25-8 today in support of Senate Resolution 74, which calls on the FCC to reinstate its net neutrality rules and urges the U.S. Congress to codify the principles of net neutrality in statute.

Today, Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) introduced SB 1086, legislation that extends the window of time during which the family of a public safety officer whose death is attributable to certain work-related illnesses is eligible to collect survivor death benefits.

Sacramento, CA -Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) introduced a measure today to improve the transition prospects of active duty military, veterans, and their spouses. Senate Bill (SB) 1080 would allow active duty military, veterans, and their spouses to drive for transportation network companies immediately upon their relocation to California, with a valid out-of-state driver’s license.

San Francisco –  Today, San Francisco leaders joined together at a press conference to support a new bill authored by Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Henry Stern (D-Canoga Park) to expand and strengthen California conservatorship laws by giving counties broader reach and more flexibility to help those who cannot care for themselves and who are dying on our streets. SB 1045 is sponsored by San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell, who is continuing the work Mayor Ed Lee started in bringing this issue forward.    

SACRAMENTO ­– Today, Senator Bradford (D- Gardena) introduced SB 1082, sponsored by Board of Equalization Member, Fiona Ma, to grant relief to hardworking Californians who encounter financial hardship. SB 1082 allows the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to provide a one-time late fee waiver to individuals with a history of on-time, personal income tax payments, aligning our state law with federal tax law.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that recommits the State of California to ensuring that all children at risk of lead exposure receive blood lead screening tests was introduced in the California State Senate late last week.  

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) introduced legislation that assists parents in the fight against human trafficking. SB 1104 will require school districts to work with their middle and high schools to identify the most appropriate ways of sharing human trafficking prevention resources with parents and guardians.