Caucus News

GUEST PRESS RELEASE: Senate Bill 465 Now Goes to the State Assembly for Consideration

SACRAMENTO – California legislation to heighten oversight of building contractors – introduced in response to the Berkeley balcony tragedy that killed six students – now moves to the state Assembly for consideration, following the bill’s passage today by a key Assembly committee.

Senate Bill 866 would allow Prop. 41 funds to be used to create gender specific veterans housing to support female survivors of military sexual trauma

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) proposal to protect survivors of military sexual trauma was approved by the California State Assembly today on a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 74-0.

SACRAMENTO – The Senate today approved a bi-partisan resolution by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) that urges President Obama to direct the federal government to shelf outdated blood-donor-suitability policies that discriminate against gay men.

Senate Joint Resolution 26 asks the Federal Drug Administration to develop science-based policies and criteria on risky behavior rather than sexual orientation.

(SACRAMENTO, CA)– The State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee voted today to approve measures by State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help provide safe and affordable drinking water to disadvantaged communities in California, and increase the effectiveness of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs.

SACRAMENTO – In response an inquiry by Senator Jim Beall, the Office of Legislative Counsel has determined school districts should not impose a six-month statute of limitations for students who have been sexually abused by school personal to file a claim for damages.

The State Department of Education website has posted the letter as part of its informational guidelines and procedures for school districts.

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, has announced the following Rules Committee Appointments:

Assembly Appropriations Committee to review SB 465 Wednesday

GUEST PRESS RELEASE: 

The mothers of Ashley Donohoe of Rohnert Park, one of the six students who died when a Berkeley apartment balcony collapsed, and Irish exchange student Aoife Beary, who was seriously injured, call for more oversight of builders.

Sen. Hancock, chair of key public safety panel, supports GOP prison plan

SACRAMENTO – Restoring hope to trouble-free prison inmates while saving taxpayers money is the goal of a bipartisan-backed bill that today passed the Assembly with support from Sen. Loni Hancock, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety.

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Senate Bill (SB) 945, which establishes minimum standards of care and safety at pet boarding facilities, passed out of the Assembly Committee on Appropriations yesterday and now heads to the Assembly Floor.  The legislation, authored by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel), would provide pet boarding operators with clear guidance about the health and safety standards needed at their facilities and provide consumers with protection against faulty and/or dangerous practices that threaten their animals.