Caucus News

The California Senate Governance and Finance Committee holds the first hearing on SB 681 by Senator Jerry Hill and Assemblymember Kevin Mullin to prohibit Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) from taking $1.3 billion in state tax deductions for the $1.6 billion fine that was levied against the utility for the San Bruno gas pipeline explosion.

SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee today unanimously passed legislation giving consumers the right to know whether the children’s products they purchase, including nursing pillows, changing pads, high chairs and nap mats, contain unnecessary and harmful flame retardant chemicals. Senate Bill 763, authored by Senator Mark Leno, requires manufacturers of certain products for infants and children to disclose on a label whether these chemicals have been added.

Wolk bills improve water management, conserve valuable water supplies
SACRAMENTO – Three bills by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) focused on saving water passed out of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee today.
Wolk’s Senate Bill 7 requires the installation of submeters in new multifamily residential buildings, encouraging responsible water consumption and conservation by providing residents accurate information about the volume and cost of their water usage.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation that modernizes California’s privacy laws to keep up with emerging technologies passed a key Assembly committee today. Senate Bill 178, authored by Senator Leno, protects Californians against warrantless government access to private electronic communications such as emails, text messages and GPS data that are stored in the cloud and on smartphones, tablets, laptops and other digital devices. The bill passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee with a 5-0 vote.

SACRAMENTO -- A key Assembly panel has endorsed legislation by Sen. Pavley to extend California’s efforts to reduce climate-changing pollution well into the 21st Century. Senate Bill 32 on Monday passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) proposal to protect California’s small businesses and the disabled community was approved by the Assembly Judiciary Committee today on a bipartisan, unanimous vote of 10-0.

SACRAMENTO – Heeding arguments that California’s beautiful coastline will continue to face grave threats from oil spills and leaks, an Assembly policy committee today approved a plan by Sen. Bob Hertzberg to make it easier to convert old oil rigs into artificial reefs and end off-shore oil production.

Dr. Linda Rudolph, Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez, and Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León testify on behalf of SB 350

SB 660 Limits the Powers of the CPUC President, Restricts Ex-Parte Communications and Sets Standards to Curb Bias

SACRAMENTO – Earlier today, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee approved timely legislation with bipartisan support that will provide technical assistance to small non-profits, disadvantaged communities and small businesses to access funding for energy efficiency upgrades or projects that reduce the negative health impacts of poor air quality.