Caucus News

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) released this statement after the Senate approved the California Clean Air Initiative (AB 109 and AB 134) to spend nearly $1.5 billion in Cap and Trade funds. Senator Lara created programs that will receive major investments through the Clean Truck and Bus program (SB 1204, 2014) and the Super Pollutant Reduction Act (SB 1383, 2016). AB 134 also expands funding for the Dream Loan program created by SB 1210 (Lara, 2014):

“No matter what happens in Washington, we can count on California to protect our environment.

Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) measure to address the State’s housing crisis has been approved by the California State Assembly. Senate Bill 540, which is part of a bipartisan package of bills aimed at lowering housing costs and spurring housing construction, was approved on a bipartisan vote of 70-8.

San Diego, CA – September 15, 2017 – The California State Legislature held its final vote Wednesday to approve SB 615: Salton Sea Restoration Act, authored by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego). The bill passed both houses with bipartisan support and is now on its way to the Governor for action.
 

Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to reauthorize and reform the state’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) program passed the legislature today.  The program was set to expire at the end of 2017 absent legislative action.  As part of the reauthorization, Allen sought to strengthen environmental protection measures within the program.   Senate Bill 249 was approved by the state Senate on a unanimous, bi-partisan vote of 40 – 0.

Sacramento, CA – The California State Senate gave final approval today to legislation, Senate Bill 50, that will be the first law in the country that could effectively block the sale or lease of federal public lands in the state.  Authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica), the Public Lands Protection Act passed on a vote of 28 - 12.

Sacramento – Today Senator Scott Wiener’s Senate Bill 35 – which creates a streamlined approval process for housing in cities that are not meeting their state-mandated housing goals – was approved by the California Assembly as a key part of a housing package. This streamlining will expedite the construction of critically needed housing, including affordable housing. SB 35 now goes back to the Senate for a concurrence vote to accept amendments made in the Assembly before moving to the Governor’s desk. SB 35 was previously approved by the Senate earlier this year.  

SACRAMENTO – Tonight, the California Legislature passed a package of bills aimed at easing the state’s housing crisis. Among these are Senate Bill 166 and Senate Bill SB 167 authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). Senate Bill 166 strengthens California’s No Net Loss zoning law and Senate Bill 167 strengthens the Housing Accountability Act (HAA).   

The California Assembly today voted 54-25 to pass SB 2 – the Building Homes and Jobs Act – legislation authored by Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) that will create a permanent source of funding for affordable housing. Atkins wishes to make the following statement:

SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, the California State Assembly passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 48, authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). SCR 48 renews the Legislature’s intent to reform the Felony Murder Rule.

“Due to the Felony Murder Rule California has many inmates serving life sentences for first degree murder despite the fact they did not actually commit a murder,” stated Senator Skinner, “SCR 48 recognizes that punishment should be proportionate to the actual crime.”

Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) reacted with the following statement to San Diego Unified School District’s announced partnership with CALPIRG on a plan to ensure that drinking water districtwide meets the highest standards: