The Last Bills to Pass, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

I’m thrilled to share that 11 of my bills are now awaiting the Governor’s signature‚ with three of them already signed!

We worked right up until the last minute in Sacramento‚ racing through votes to conclude our work before the stroke of midnight on the last day of August. At times‚ it felt straight out of a movie – with disagreement between the Assembly‚ Senate and Governor; a filibustering effort by an Assemblymember or two‚ which seemed aimed at running out the clock; and bills that simply didn’t come up for a vote and silently died for this year.

While sitting on the floor of the Senate at 11:30 p.m. and concluding our work‚ I was also watching the Assembly on my laptop with the sound turned off to make sure that I knew what was happening on the other side of the state Capitol.

The end of my second year was much more frenzied and chaotic than the first year‚ which in contrast seemed to conclude in relative order and with few surprises.

Here are some legislative highlights from this year. I voted for all these bills‚ except AB 1840:

• SCA-1. This constitutional amendment‚ which voters will get to decide on in 2026‚ would make it so the only question on the ballot for a recall of a state official is whether to recall them. If so‚ whoever is designated to take over for that official in their absence takes over until the next election.

• AB 98. As our economy transitions to fewer storefronts and more home-delivered goods‚ a major issue for some communities is the proliferation of warehouses that generate pollution‚ truck traffic and noise. AB 98 creates new warehouse building standards that include greater setback requirements for warehouses by schools‚ parks and hospitals. The standards around warehouses have been debated in the environmental justice and business community for years and this year the bill made it out of both houses.

• SB 1243. You may remember this bill‚ which I opposed in the Elections Committee and the committee members “rolled me” by passing it anyway. I’m grateful and appreciative that my vigorous advocacy‚ Senate floor speech and coalition-building with important community organizations like Common Cause‚ Clean Money Campaign and the District Attorneys Association resulted in substantial changes to the final bill. (You can read my May 3 newsletter for details on what happened at the committee). The author made substantial changes to this bill that restricts campaign contributions to agency elected officials from entities with business before the agency‚ including lowering the allowed campaign contributions from $1‚000 to $500.

• AB 1840. This bill passed‚ and I voted against it. Today‚ the Governor vetoed the legislation. The bill would have allowed undocumented individuals in California to apply for a zero-interest down payment assistance loan up to 20% or $150‚000 for their first home through the state’s California Dream for All Program. The current program only managed to assist 1‚700 out of the 18‚000 applicants this year‚ with funding running out in 11 days. Expanding the number of applicants to include non-citizens does not make sense when the state has such limited resources. Also‚ I am generally skeptical of the benefit of adding public money toward the purchase of homes because of the inflationary effect on home prices. LA TIMES: California lawmakers approve bill to extend home mortgage aid to undocumented immigrants.

• SB 1395. This would extend the emergency housing provisions under the Shelter Crisis Act and expand the CEQA exemptions for interim housing projects. The legislation would make it easier and quicker for local governments to pursue interim housing projects and meet the needs of their unhoused populations. Watch video of a press conference on this legislation here.

• AB 2839. This urgency measure‚ which means it takes effect as soon as the Governor signs it instead of on Jan. 1 of the coming year‚ prohibits the distribution of campaign ads and other elections communications that contain AI media that has been digitally altered in a deceptive way. This was one of several bills passed to protect the integrity of elections and elections information.

I held a press conference at the Capitol to encourage legislators to pass legislation to ban plastic bags from being provided at grocery store checkouts. Click on the image to watch it.

My Bills Awaiting the Governor’s Signature

SB 1053 would ban the distribution of plastic bags at grocery store checkouts. Instead of being asked do you want paper or plastic at checkout‚ 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 the plastic waste that is contaminating our environment and waters. Read more here.

SB 689 would to cut unnecessary red tape in the development of bike lanes‚ dedicated transit lanes and pedestrian walkways along California’s coastline. Read more here.

I also held a press conference to call for passage of two of my gun violence prevention measures; and to support other legislators’ bills to end gun violence. Click on the image to watch it.

SB 1002 would improve 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 1002 makes several changes to increase compliance. Read more here.

SB 1019 would ensure that firearms turned in as part of gun-buyback programs or confiscated by law enforcement during investigations are completely destroyed. As the New York Times reported in December 2023‚ many 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. Read more here.

SB 1066 would require manufacturers of marine flares to establish and run a program to collect expired and unwanted flares. The bill would ensure that expired marine flares are properly disposed of and do not end up polluting the environment or endangering others. Read more here.

SB 1077 would aim to make it easier to apply for permits for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in coastal areas. Read more here.

SB 7 would make changes to the Regional Housing Needs Determination Allocation (RHNA) process to improve local government planning to serve the unsheltered with the greatest needs.

SB 1098 would revitalize 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. Read more here.

SB 1216 would improve bike safety by prohibiting new sharrows from being installed on roads with speeds of 30 mph or greater‚ among other things. Read more here.

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SB 1476 would make the Board of Trustees and designated employees of the State Bar of California subject to conflict of interest provisions of the Political Reform Act. This is common sense for a state agency that licenses and regulates lawyers.

SB 1493 would reduce 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.

Bills Already Signed

SB 949 ensures that anyone who needs to breastfeed or pump breast milk while in court will be given breaks to do so. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed this legislation in July‚ and it takes effect on July 1‚ 2026. Read more here.

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. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed this legislation in July‚ and it takes effect on Jan. 1 2025.

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 (CEQA). Gov. Gavin Newsom signed this legislation in August‚ and it takes effect on Jan. 1‚ 2025. Read more here.

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On one of our last days of Senate session‚ to keep things fun and interesting‚ we were encouraged to wear an item of professional sports gear. Naturally‚ each of us highlighted teams from the areas we serve.

I was glad to wear the official scarf of the San Diego Wave FC women’s soccer team! As a participant in the Legislative soccer team for the last 2 years‚ I am delighted that this women’s professional soccer team is so popular.

I have attended San Diego Wave FC games‚ and I love the atmosphere and especially seeing the many women and girls attending who are inspired by professional women athletes. We’ll miss you Alex Morgan!

Below‚ many of the Senators with sports gear posed for a photo.

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The Capitol Annex Project is a major‚ multi-year renovation of the state Capitol to add much-needed space and modernize the building. The project is getting ready to move to the next phase of construction‚ with the placement of support beams.

I was delighted to join other legislators in signing the very first support beam to be put in place for the project. As a fourth generation San Diegan‚ I am proud to be a Californian‚ and I believe California is a national leader and role model when it comes to American democracy. When asked to write something in the spur of the moment about the importance of California’s new Capitol office‚ I couldn’t help but memorialize our state as the epicenter of America’s ideals.

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The “All About Alzheimer’s” educational program will take place on Tuesday‚ October 1‚ 2024‚ from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center‚ 25925 Camino Del Avion‚ San Juan Capistrano‚ CA 92675.

This free program‚ in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter‚ will feature important discussions on “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia” and “Healthy Living for Brain and Body.” Light refreshments will be provided and resource booths will be available to explore before and after the event.

If you are interested in attending‚ please RSVP today.

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Over the next few months‚ I will be hard at work refining my proposals to solve problems we’re facing as a state. There is a lot of research that happens during this time‚ and I invite you to share any ideas you have. Do you think there should be a law about something? If so‚ click on the button below and follow the directions to provide your suggestion. I want to hear your ideas! Last year‚ a constituent’s idea about the need to reduce stigma when a working mom needs to breastfeed while inside a state courthouses led to a bill that has already been signed by the Governor.

Send Suggestions

Thank you for your support. I am honored to serve you.

In partnership‚

To learn more about what I am doing, follow me on social media.

 

 

Email me at Senator.Blakespear@Senate.ca.gov

Call my Encinitas district office at (760) 642-0809
Call my Laguna Hills district office at (949) 598-5850
Call my Capitol office in Sacramento at (916) 651-4038