Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – A bill to improve services for blind and visually impaired Californians who partner with guide dogs was approved by the Senate on Friday and sent to Gov. Jerry Brown.

Sponsored by the California Council of the Blind, the bill would implement reforms in the composition and policies of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the blind.

Anti-coal measure sponsored by Sen. Loni Hancock

SACRAMENTO – Less than 48 hours after the California Senate passed Senate Bill 1279, Gov. Jerry Brown today signed into law Sen. Loni Hancock’s bill to halt future state funding for any new project that would allow coal to be shipped or exported through California.

San Diego, CA… Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) announced that Governor Brown has signed Senate bill 1138, which would designate the first Friday in May of each year as Space Day in California into law.  

“I am overjoyed my proposal for promoting space observation has been signed into law,” stated Senator Hueso.   “This new law will inspire every Californian to dim or turn off the lights for an hour in an effort to reduce light pollution and value the phenomena of our night sky.  Thank you Governor Brown.”

(SACRAMENTO, CA)– The State Senate voted yesterday to send Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Senate Bill 1414 by State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis), legislation to protect energy consumers, and help California meet its energy efficiency goals.  
“Ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs are critical to the state’s energy and environmental policies,” Wolk said. “SB 1414 will help the state meet its energy efficiency goals and ensure customers receive the full benefits of the energy efficiency upgrades they purchase.”

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Legislation to help assess the economic impact of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant closure, Senate Bill (SB) 968, passed out of the California Legislature and now moves to the Governor for his consideration.  The bill, authored by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel), calls for an assessment of the adverse and beneficial economic impacts facing San Luis Obispo County once the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant shuts down, and will offer potential mitigation actions for anticipated adverse impacts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2016

Contact:   Charles Stewart

(213) 745-6656 office  (213) 210-1023 cell

SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Holly J. Mitchell’s measure to assure availability of face-to-face visits in California jails has been approved by the state Legislature and now heads to the Governor for final approval.

Diminished contact with relatives negatively impacts family cohesion, particularly for children.

Senator Galgiani Calls on Governor Jerry Brown to Reconsider Stance on ‘Date Rape’ Drugs, Sign Senate Bill 1182

SACRAMENTO—Today, Senator Cathleen Galgiani announced the passage of Senate Bill 1182 by the California Legislature. The bill increases penalties for the possession of “date rape” drugs which cause victims to become completely incapacitated, leaving them with no memory of their assault. The bill now heads to the Governor for reconsideration.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
August 25, 2016      

Contact:  Charles Stewart

(213)745-6656 o (310)251-4567 c

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Legislature has voted to send the Governor a proposal that the law be changed to deem persons under the age of 18 who might previously have been charged with criminal prostitution as victims of sex trafficking, eligible for treatment rather than prosecution.

SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 947 to reduce red tape in the application process for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program was passed by the State Senate and will now go to the Governor’s desk.

SACRAMENTO- Legislation to reform the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by increasing transparency and commissioner accountability was approved by the Legislature today and is on its way to the Governor. Jointly authored by Senators Mark Leno and Ben Hueso, SB 215 is part of a package of Commission reforms agreed upon by Governor Brown and lawmakers to improve governance, accountability, oversight and transparency of the California Public Utilities Commission.