Ballots and Bills - Page 2
California ballots, bills, and initiatives, including local laws, state assembly bills, and voter ballots.
Bill to Address California’s 2017 Teacher Shortage Receives Passing Grade – AB 1217
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Calif. State Assembly voted 77-0 to approve Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra’s (D-Pacoima) legislation to establish a teacher residency program that will address the state’s dire need for high-quality special education, bilingual, math, and science teachers. The California Teacher Corps Act of 2017, AB 1217, would provide a resident teacher with financial assistance in the form of a stipend in exchange for participating in the program.
Calif. Assembly Approves McCarty Legislation to Ban For-Profit Charter Schools in California – AB406
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Assembly has approved AB 406 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), which would prohibit for-profit corporations from managing and operating charter schools in the state. The measure was approved on a 48 to 23 vote.
Calif. Congressman Cardenas Introduces Resolution Demanding Action on Gun Violence – H.Res.370
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In recognition of Gun Violence Awareness Day tomorrow, U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) has introduced a resolution that would compel Congress to take action in the face of gun tragedies. H.Res.370, cosponsored by more than 100 Members of Congress, would require that any moment of silence held on the floor of the House of Representatives due to a tragedy involving gun violence be promptly followed by a hearing to discuss the cause of the tragedy and how similar events might be prevented in the future.
Calif. Senator Mendoza Announces Multiple 2017 Bills Pass Senate Appropriations Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) announced that multiple bills passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee. Among the lengthy list of bills before the committee were several pieces of Legislation from Senator Mendoza, notably Senate Bills 4, 45, 268, and 693.
Calif. Assemblymember McCarty Gun Free School Zones Legislation Approved by California State Assembly – AB 424
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Assembly today approved AB 424 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D- Sacramento), which will update California’s Gun Free School Zones law to make schools truly gun free. The measure was approved on a vote of 43-23.
California Candidate Accountability Measure Passes Committee – AB 894
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- New Legislation by Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D – Discovery Bay) that will raise penalties for candidates for office who make willful misrepresentations on their candidate statements passed the Assembly Elections committee on an unanimous 7-to-0 vote.
City of Paramount Endorses Greater Powers for South Coast Air Quality Management District
PARAMOUNT, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, April 18, the Paramount City Council, by a unanimous vote, became the first city in California to support Assembly Bill 1132 authored by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens). The proposed legislation enhances the ability of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to quickly shut down businesses that are emitting dangerous levels of air pollution in violation of federal or state air quality requirements.
Calif. Senator Mendoza Introduces Senate Constitutional Amendment 12 to Redefine County Governance in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A measure to make Calif. county governments more representative, accessible, and accountable to the populations that they serve was introduced today by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia).
California Caregivers Push for More Accountability in Public Monies Used for State Respite Care Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Caregivers of those with disabilities are calling on the California State Legislature to support Assembly Bill 1380 to improve respite care accountability. Right now many vendors who contract with regional centers to provide the publicly funded service spend an absurd amount of money on administration costs for respite care instead of on the program itself. Testimony on this issue will be given during the first committee hearing on AB 1380 on Tuesday April 25, 2017, says SEIU Local 2015.
Calif. Legislation on Drug Pricing Transparency Wins Key Support from Consumer, Medical, Pharmacists Groups – AB315
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation authored by Calif. Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) calling for the first-time regulation of the middlemen of drug pricing -- Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) -- today received a boost with the endorsement of Consumers Union, the California Medical Association, the California Pharmacists Association, and the San-Francisco-based HIV/AIDS advocacy group Project Inform.
California Film Tax Credit Generates More Filming and Jobs in 2017
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, the California Film Commission (CFC) announced the recipients for recurring television series, new series, relocating series, and pilots under AB 1839, the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act, authored by Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) in 2014.
Calif. Asm. Bocanegra Introduces Legislation to Help Fund Film and TV Workforce Development Programs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima), the author of the current California Film Tax Credit, and Assemblymember Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) proposed legislation today (AB1664) to increase funding for entertainment industry job-training programs to help build a bigger workforce of below-the-line workers in California.
Calif. Asm. Kevin McCarty Introduces Legislation to Give Californians a Fair Chance at Employment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past week, Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento), introduced AB 1008, known as the Fair Chance Act, which will eliminate employment barriers for individuals formerly convicted of a crime. Historically known as, “Ban the Box,” this bill would prohibit a prospective public or private employer from asking a prospective employee if they had been convicted of a crime on an initial application for employment.
Calif. Assemblymember McCarty Introduces Legislation to Close California Gun Free School Zones Loophole
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D- Sacramento) today introduced Assembly Bill 424 (AB 424), which will close a loophole in California’s Gun Free School Zones law. While civilian possession of a gun on a school campus is prohibited, a school district can currently authorize an armed civilian with a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit to enter a school campus.
Asm. Bocanegra California Film Tax Credit is Box Office Success for Hollywood Jobs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, the California Film Commission announced the second round of recipients for feature films and independent projects, bringing back jobs and revenue to California as promised under AB 1839, the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act. Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) and former Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) authored the legislation in 2014, and 2015 marked the first year of credit distribution.
Calif. Assemblymembers McCarty, Gonzalez Fletcher and Nazarian to Introduce ‘California Welcomes Refugees’ Legislation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty (D- Sacramento), Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D – San Diego) and Adrin Nazarian (D- Sherman Oaks) will introduce a legislative package that builds upon California’s efforts to welcome and successfully integrate refugees from around the world.
Calif. Asm. Cervantes Introduces Bill to Expedite Teacher Credentialing for Military Spouses
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) introduced a bill to help military families. The bill, Assembly Bill 226, would require the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing to give priority to applicants who are spouses of active United States Military service members.
Calif. Asm. Bocanegra Introduces Legislation to Bring Equity for Immigrants to California Criminal Justice Laws
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) introduced legislation to bring equity to our criminal justice laws, by ensuring that use of false immigration documents carries the same penalties as use of a fake driver’s license. AB 222 would amend Section 114 of the California Penal Code, a provision enacted in 1994 as part of Proposition 187, a largely unconstitutional attempt to fight the perceived ills of illegal immigration and punish undocumented immigrants in California.
Assemblymember Cervantes Introduces Bill to Restructure California Transportation Commission – AB179
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) has introduced a bill to restructure the California Transportation Commission. The bill, Assembly Bill 179, would impose certain additional expertise requirements on future appointments to the Commission.
Cervantes Introduces California Bill to Make Riverside County Carpool Lanes More Flexible
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) introduced her first bill at the State Capitol. The bill, Assembly Bill 91, would help ease late-night traffic jams in Riverside County by allowing single-occupancy vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, commonly known as “carpool lanes,” during non-peak traffic hours.
A Voice For Choice, Inc. Statement On New Lawsuit Filed to Challenge California’s Extensive Vaccine Mandates
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A group of California plaintiffs, led by A Voice for Choice, Inc., have filed suit challenging California’s extensive vaccine mandates, one of the broadest in the nation. With the passage of Senate Bill 277 in 2015, California now requires kindergartners to get twenty-five doses of vaccines – including for a sexually transmitted disease – before they can attend school. Unlike previous suits, this lawsuit eschews much medical or scientific discussion, and focuses instead on constitutional rights.
Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza Introduces ‘California Rebuild’ Infrastructure Proposal with SB4
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On December 5, 2016, Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza introduced Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), which would allocate $1.2 billion dollars to reduce emissions, health risks, and also to redevelop the infrastructure of California’s goods movement network. This measure would improve goods movement corridors which are vital to the state’s economy.
Legislation to Help Calif. Children Suffering from Trauma and Toxic Stress introduced by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Shortly after being sworn in to his second term in the California State Assembly, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) this week introduced Assembly Bill 11 (AB 11), which will create a child care early intervention partnership to help California infants and young children suffering from toxic stress.
Calif. State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra Introduces Legislation to Establish Hate Crime Registry
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, on the first day of the 2017-18 California Legislative Session, Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-San Fernando Valley) introduced legislation to establish the California Hate Crimes Registry, which would make public the names of those criminals convicted of a hate crime and the crimes of which they were convicted, while protecting the confidentiality of the victims.
Proponents of California Plastic Bag Ban Declare Landmark Victory for Proposition 67
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Californians have voted to enact a state law to ban plastic shopping bags, the first state in the nation to do so. Proposition 67, the referendum on the state law (Senate Bill 270) passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September 2014, is leading by 52-48 percent.
Calif. Assemblymember O’Donnell Bill to Boost School Attendance Signed by Governor – AB 2815
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) to ensure students attend and stay in school was signed by Governor Brown on Thursday. AB 2815 expands the role of district and county attendance supervisors so they can effectively address the root causes of chronic absenteeism.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation to Bolster Transparency, Oversight, Reform at California PUC
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Moving to bolster governance, accountability, transparency and oversight at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Governor Edmund G. Brown...
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation to Help California Workers Save for Retirement – SB 1234
SACRAMENTO, Cailf. /California Newswire/ -- Taking action to boost financial security for all Californians, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed SB 1234 by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), that will create new retirement savings accounts for the nearly seven million workers who do not have one.
Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Earthquake Early Warning Legislation – SB 438
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed legislation - SB 438 by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) - to help advance the development of a statewide earthquake early warning system in California.
Calif. Gov. Brown Continues Busy Week: Vetoes Bills and Signs New Laws Sept. 29, 2016
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.announced that he has signed various assembly bills and senate bills, including AB 1639 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein.
Calif. Gov. Signs Bill Banning California State-Funded Travel to States with New Anti-LGBT Laws – AB1887
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Governor Jerry Brown this week signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1887, authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) and...
Calif. Gov. Brown Issues Legislative Updates for Sept. 22-23, 2016: Bills Signed and Vetoed
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed a wide range of bills, including...
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Consumer Protection Legislation including AB 1580
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills to strengthen consumer health...
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Ambitious and Historic Climate Change Legislation
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Ten years after California adopted the toughest greenhouse gas emission reduction goals in the nation, Calif. Governor Edmund...
Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislation including AB 1564, 1658 and more
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed various Assembly Bills, including: AB 1564...
Calif. Legislation to Create Nation’s Strongest Wage Equality Law Approved by State Assembly – SB1063
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Assembly today approved SB 1063 by Senator Isadore Hall, III (D – South Bay), which will...
Calif. Assembly Speaker Rendon Statement on Passage of Climate Change Legislation – SB32
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement after the Assembly passed Senate Bill 32 to extend...
Valley Industry and Commerce Assoc. Endorses ‘Yes’ Vote On Calif. Plastic Bag Ban Prop 67
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California vs. Big Plastic recently announced that The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) added its support for...
Calif. State Assembly Approves Senator Mendoza Legislation to Prevent Wage Theft from California Workers – SB 1342
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A measure, SB 1342, authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) that would protect workers by paving the way...
Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law Approved by Calif. State Assembly Transportation Committee – SB 1072
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The “Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law” authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) was approved today by the...
Calif. 'Teacher Bill of Rights' Bill by Senator Tony Mendoza Approved by State Senate – SB1225
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Senate Bill 1225, authored by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), was approved by the State Senate this week. The...
Calif. Asm. O’Donnell Bill to Help Foster Youth Achieve Academic Success Passes Assembly – AB 2656
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) ensuring foster youth can attain their educational and economic goals passed...
California Legislation Supporting Arts Education Sails Through Assembly – AB 2862
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- AB 2862, by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), promoting visual and performing arts education won Assembly approval today....
Calif. Asm. Hall Legislation to Create Nation's Strongest Wage Equality Law Approved by State Senate
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Senate this week approved SB 1063 by Senator Isadore Hall, III (D – South Bay), which...
Speaker Rendon, Calif. Assembly Colleagues Launch Resolution Recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) joined Assembly colleagues today to introduce House Resolution 52 to mark National Gun Violence...
Calif. Asm. Mike Gatto’s Legislation to Protect Children From Identity Theft Clears Privacy Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Calif. Assembly’s Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee passed legislation by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblywoman Jacqui...
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Senator Mendoza Legislation to Prevent Wage Theft from California Workers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A measure, SB 1342, authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) that would protect workers by paving the way...
Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law Approved by Calif. Senate Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- After hearing testimony from the parents of Paul Lee, a special needs student from Whittier, who tragically passed away...
Calif. Legislative Black Caucus Issues Statement in Support of $15 Minimum Wage Legislation – SB 3
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) today announced its support for SB 3 (Leno), landmark legislation that would increase...
Calif. Senator Mendoza Bill to Combat Government Corruption Approved by Key Committee: SB 1011
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A bill that strengthens California’s conflict of interest laws and restores public trust and accountability was approved today by...
