SB 92 prevents the density bonus law from being used to build large commercial projects that far exceed local zoning law and city ordinances. Specifically, the legislation would limit developers to increasing the commercial floor space included in their projects to no more than 2.5 times what is allowed by local zoning.
SB 427 would extend the sunset date for the program, moving it from July 1, 2030, to July 1, 2035. The Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) was established under Proposition 117, the California Wildlife Protection Act passed by voters in June 1990. The fund pays to acquire, restore and enhance wildlife habitats across the state.
SB 427 clarifies language in the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) so that the Civil Rights Department (CRD) can more effectively investigate and prosecute discrimination, harassment, hate incidents, and other civil rights violations.
SB 710 ensures active solar energy systems built before Jan. 1, 2027, remain exempt from property tax until ownership changes, supporting California’s clean energy goals.
Status: Passed the Senate, in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee
SB 16 Requires HHAP Round 7 applicants to set annual goals toward “functional zero” homelessness and enter city-county agreements that set clear responsibilities between city and county agencies for the housing development, operations, and supportive services necessary to rehabilitate homeless people.
Status: Passed the Senate, in the Assembly Appropriations Committee
SB 329 would require the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the department responsible, to assign complaints about alcohol or drug treatment facilities to staff within 10 days of receiving them and complete an investigation within 60 days.
Status: Passed the Senate, in the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee
SB 561 creates an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for marine flares that requires a Manufacturer Responsibility Organization to develop a plan for consumer education, collection, and safe end-of-life management of marine flares, and bans marine flares that contain perchlorate.
Status: Passed the Senate, in the Assembly Transportation Committee
SB 569 requires Caltrans to set timelines for responding to requests to remove encampments by state roads and clarifies the agency could contract with local governments, and reimburse them, to do it.
Status: Passed the Senate, in the Assembly Appropriations Committee
In order to improve transparency and hold beverage container manufacturers accountable, SB 633 requires them to report third-party verification of the country of origin and amount (in pounds) of post-consumer recycled plastic to the state.
Status: Passed the Senate, in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee
SB 741 would extend a limited, narrow Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for state highways to the LOSSAN rail corridor. The exemption would apply to emergency projects within the LOSSAN rail corridor right-of-way.
SB 1053 halts the distribution of plastic bags at grocery store checkouts beginning in 2026. Instead of being asked “Do you want paper or plastic?”, consumers will simply be asked if they want a paper bag. This easy change eliminates plastic bags from the point of sale and helps California significantly reduce plastic waste that is contaminating our environment and waters.
SB 1002 improves the implementation of a law aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of people experiencing mental health crises. Current law mandates that anyone placed on a 72-hour mental health hold must refrain from possessing a firearm, but many with guns never turn them in.
SB 1019 requires that firearms turned in as part of gun-buyback programs or confiscated by law enforcement during investigations are completely destroyed. In some cases, parts of guns collected in such programs end up being resold online as part of gun kits that can easily be turned into “ghost” guns.
SB 689 cuts unnecessary red tape in the development of bike lanes, dedicated transit lanes and pedestrian walkways in California’s coastal communities.
SB 1098 revitalizes the rail corridor that runs from San Diego through six Southern California counties to San Luis Obispo by providing stronger management and planning for the rail line to optimize passenger service.
SB 7 makes changes to the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process to ensure local governments are properly accounting for people in their communities who have special housing needs.
SB 1077 aims to harmonize coastal permitting requirements with state ADU law thereby making it easier to apply for, and receive, permits to build ADUs.
SB 1361 prevents shelters and services provided to the homeless through contracts with local governments from being delayed or blocked by legal challenges under the California Environmental Quality Act.
SB 1476 makes the board of trustees and designated employees of the State Bar of California subject to conflict-of-interest provisions of the Political Reform Act.
SB 1493 reduces the number of copies of the state voter information guide that the Secretary of State is required to mail to specified individuals and educational institutions. In the age of digital information, multiple copies are not needed.
SB 1257 modernizes San Diego County’s Medi-Cal advisory board program to help it improve health outcomes for vulnerable people, reduce Medi-Cal system costs and reduce homelessness.
The Senate commends and honors journalists across the state for their invaluable contributions to society and recognizes May 3, 2024, as World Press Freedom Day in California.
The Senate proclaims the week of May 6, 2024, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in California, and commends the observance of the week to all residents of the state.
The Legislature recognizes the significance of July 4 as Independence Day, and Californians are encouraged to celebrate Independence Day on July 4, 2024, with reverence, reflection, and gratitude for the blessings of freedom and democracy bestowed upon us.
The Senate proclaims the month of August 2024 as California Life Sciences Month in appreciation for the vast contributions the life sciences have made to public health, the economy, and innovation in environmental sustainability in California, the nation, and the world.
SB 360 expands the range of local agencies that a Coastal Commission member can jointly serve on, now including a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) or Joint Powers Authority (JPA).
SB 417 requires gun sellers to post the following notice: “WARNING: If you or a loved one is experiencing distress or depression or is contemplating suicide, please call 988 (The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Access to a firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, death, and injury during domestic violence disputes, and the unintentional death and traumatic injury to children, household members, and guests.”
SB 428 provides public employers with the ability to seek a temporary civil restraining order on behalf of an employee who is being harassed at work by a member of the public, beginning in 2025. Under current law, it’s up to the individual workers themselves to seek such restraining orders, often at their own time and expense, even though the harassment occurs while they are on the job.
SB 452 prohibits the sale or transfer of a semiautomatic pistol made after Jan. 1, 2028, unless it has been verified as a microstamping-enabled pistol. By using microstamping, the handguns would etch unique identifiers on expended cartridges, providing law enforcement with valuable information to help identify shooters.
SB 482 encourages the development of housing units that serve unhoused individuals with little or no income and the greatest needs. It does this by requiring the state Department of Housing and Community Development to offer capitalized operating subsidy reserves (COSRs) to special needs units funded through the Multifamily Housing Program. COSRs are important because if granted, they set aside upfront money to cover 15-20 years’ worth of deficits in annual operating revenues for housing developments, making it easier for the developments to get financed and built.
SB 677 directs the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, which oversees the corridor in coordination with rail owners, operators and planning agencies, to include an assessment of the impacts of climate change in its annual business plan that outlines the agency’s major goals and objectives. The assessment must also identify projects to increase climate resiliency and funding options for those projects. This bill complements work that has been moving through my Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resilience.