Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law SB 185, which requires California’s public pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, to divest from holdings in thermal coal. The measure is the first of its kind in the nation. CalPERS and CalSTRS are the largest public pension funds in the nation, with $293 billion and $184 billion in assets, respectively.

SB 767 Allows LA Metro Ask County Voters to Fund Transit Projects

SACRAMENTO – On October 7, 2015, the Governor signed a measure by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León that authorizes Los Angeles County to seek a local tax increase to fund strategic transportation projects.

Sacramento – California Governor Jerry Brown today signed SB 246 by state Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) to help California’s communities build resiliency to climate change impacts, including more frequent and intense heat waves, wildfires, floods, and droughts, which threaten the state’s air and water quality, public health, infrastructure, and economy.

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law Sen. Fran Pavley’s park legislation, Senate Bill 204.The bill bolsters financial and in-kind support for the state park system, which has been bedeviled by inadequate funding and years of deferred maintenance of facilities.SB 204 expands access to parks and improves working relationships between park officials and volunteers and supportive non-profit organizations. The measure also speeds planning and broadens the types of projects that involve cooperation with the private sector.

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law Sen. Fran Pavley’s Senate Bill 507. The legislation, sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, grants criminal prosecutors an opportunity to keep sexually violent predators out of communities.The proposal provides prosecutors with the same access as defense lawyers to state hospital records of sexually violent predators during commitment reviews.

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown signed landmark legislation today that prohibits state agencies from doing business with companies that fail to offer transgender employees the same health care coverage and benefits they provide all other workers. Senate Bill 703, authored by Senator Mark Leno, builds on existing California law that requires gender nondiscrimination in employee benefits.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, issued a statement today on legislation signed by Governor Jerry Brown that sets the nation’s highest standards in the fight against climate change. Senate Bill 350 is jointly authored by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Senator Leno.

Enactment Signals Global Paradigm Shift In Clean Energy 

Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León addresses supporters at Griffith Park Observatory signing ceremony, October 7, 2015

SACRAMENTO – Senator Jim Beall’s bills to ramp up the oversight of powerful psychotropic drugs dispensed to youths in foster care were ratified today by the Governor.
Senate Bills 319 and 484 are aimed at reducing the over reliance of mind-altering medications to control the behaviors of foster youth. About 25 percent of children in the state’s foster care system are given powerful drugs that can have long-lasting side effects such as depression and obesity. Over half of the children in foster care group homes are administered the drugs.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Jim Beall’s bills to ramp up the oversight of powerful psychotropic drugs dispensed to youths in foster care were ratified today by the Governor.Senate Bills 319 and 484 are aimed at reducing the over reliance of mind-altering medications to control the behaviors of foster youth. About 25 percent of children in the state’s foster care system are given powerful drugs that can have long-lasting side effects such as depression and obesity. Over half of the children in foster care group homes are administered the drugs.