SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-Pacoima) ambitious legislative agenda has already achieved some success this year with the Governor signing two of his bills and more working their way through the Legislature. Find below some of the highlights and status of pending legislation by Senator Padilla.
“I am very pleased that the Governor and my colleagues in the Legislature have supported my efforts so far this year. I am optimistic that the rest of my bills will continue to progress during these final weeks,” said Senator Padilla. “I have always worked hard to introduce thoughtful, common sense legislation for my constituents that solves problems and makes California a better place to live and work.”
Bills Currently on the Governor’s Desk:
SB 303 (Food Safety) would clarify which food facilities and their food handlers are subject to food safety training rules and who can offer food safety courses and examinations.
SB 332 (Smoke-Free Housing) would expand the availability of smoke-free, multi-family rental housing for families throughout California.
SB 493 (State Surplus Computers) would allow the California Department of General Services (DGS) to provide state surplus computers to non-profits that partner with schools that operate public computer centers in underserved communities.
SB 559 (CA Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act) will protect Californians by prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s genetic information. SB 559 would update the Jesse Unruh Civil Rights Act and the Fair Employment and Housing Act by adding genetic information as a prohibited basis for discrimination.
SB 3 (Universal Telecommunications Service) would extend until January 1, 2015, the California High Cost Fund A and B, a state universal service program designed to ensure that affordable telephone service remains available in rural, high-cost areas of the state. It would also require providers of telephone service using internet technology to contribute to state universal service programs.
Bills on the Assembly Floor:
SB 20 (Menu Labeling Conformity) would bring Senator Padilla’s landmark menu labeling law into conformity with Federal law. SB 1420 required restaurant chains and movie theatres with 20 or more locations to provide nutritional information directly on their menus and menu boards for each standard menu item. The law affected more than 17,000 restaurants in California. This bill can be taken up on the Assembly Floor this week.
SB 26 (Cell Phones in Prison) would crack down on the smuggling and possession of cell phones and other wireless communication devices in California prisons by imposing tough penalties for both smugglers and inmates. It also facilitates the deployment of managed access technology to prevent illicit cell phones from sending or receiving communications within the secure perimeter of a prison. This bill can be taken up on the Assembly Floor this week.
SB 550 (Music Piracy) would allow inspections of CD and DVD replication plants to ensure compliance with anti-piracy laws. Violators would face steep fines. This bill passed the Assembly today and can be taken up on the Senate Floor this week.
SB 753 (English Learner Reform) will reform how English learner students are evaluated in California schools by moving the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the spring. Moving the test from the fall to the spring will provide teachers adequate time to work with students and help them reach English proficiency for their grade level. Most other required exams such as the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) are administered towards the end of the academic year. This bill can be taken up on the Assembly Floor this week.
Senator Alex Padilla represents more than 850,000 residents of the 20th State Senate District which includes most of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.
