Caucus News

SACRAMENTO, California – Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) issued the following statement on the newly introduced Senate Bill 183, which would require that ICE agents obtain a warrant before entering a state building, including a California courthouse, school or college:

Sacramento, State Capitol – Senate Bill 242 authored by State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) to strengthen consumer protections for California’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program passed the State Senate today and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk.

“California is the national leader in PACE financing,” stated Senator Skinner, “SB 242 adds consumer safeguards so homeowners can continue to enjoy a convenient tool to finance energy, water and earthquake safety upgrades to their homes and properties.”

San Mateo County would be permitted to take advantage of a process that allows public entities to use a method that ensures best value in construction project contracts in order to expedite the county’s five-year, $500-million capital improvement plan, under Senate Bill 793 by Senator Jerry Hill.

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement today on new amendments to SB 54, the California Values act, that are the result of negotiations with Governor Jerry Brown and clears the way for a crucial Assembly floor vote this week.

"This bill protects public safety and people who come to California to work hard and make this state a better place," said Governor Brown.

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement after the University of California filed a lawsuit to block the Trump Administration’s decision to end the Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals program:

“I’m grateful that the UC is taking aggressive steps to defend the DACA students and staff members who now find themselves on uncertain terrain.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, introduced legislation today to roll back driver’s license suspensions for Californians who have been unable to pay their traffic fines and fees.

SB 237 would apply to about 200,000 Californians who did not benefit from Traffic Amnesty Program that ended this spring and who had their licenses suspended before Gov. Jerry Brown changed the law to prevent the practice in a trailer bill attached to the 2017-18 state budget.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) released this statement on the Dialysis Patient Safety Act (SB 349):

“I introduced the Dialysis Patient Safety Act in response to the shocking stories I heard from patients and workers about lack of protections and oversight in this rapidly expanding industry. Dialysis in California is a billion-dollar industry yet we treat it like a Wild West with bare minimum standards.

The Assembly approved legislation today by Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, that provides the State Lands Commission with a tool allowing it to acquire public access to Martins Beach, the scenic shoreline south of Half Moon Bay that was closed to the public almost a decade ago when a Silicon Valley billionaire decided to shut a gate to the popular beach.

Sacramento, CA – In response to the devastating Helena Fire that has hit the community of Junction City, Senator Mike McGuire, The Humboldt Area Foundation, the County of Trinity, the Trinity Journal and Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn have come together to establish the Trinity County Fire Relief Fund.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Dr. Richard Pan, pediatrician and state senator representing the Sacramento region was presented with the “Child Care Champion” Award by Parent Voices and the Child Care Law Center.

The Child Care Champion Award recognizes outstanding leadership in the California Legislature to make quality, affordable child care a reality for children and families.