Sen. Blakespear Aims to Streamline Approval of Housing in Coastal Zones with 2 New Bills

SACRAMENTO – To address the lack of housing in many coastal communities and accelerate the process of providing it, Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, on Monday introduced legislation to streamline the approval process for accessory dwelling units and speed up the appeals process for multifamily housing units in coastal areas.



Sen. Blakespear, Sen. Allen and Asm. Bauer-Kahan Partner on Legislation to Ban Plastic Bags

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, announced on Thursday they are introducing legislation to ban the use of plastic bags by grocery stores and stores that sell food.



Sen. Blakespear Introduces Bills to Close Gun Buyback Loophole, Reduce Gun Trafficking

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, introduced two bills on Tuesday designed to reduce gun trafficking and ensure that firearms turned in as part of gun-buyback programs or confiscated by law enforcement during investigations are completely destroyed.



Sen. Blakespear Introduces Bill to Keep People Who are Mentally Ill Safe, Away from Guns

SAN DIEGO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, has introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the implementation of a law designed to keep guns out of the hands of people experiencing mental health crises and reduce the risk of gun violence.



Senate Passes Legislation to Improve Bike Safety and Access in Coastal Zones

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to improve bike safety and access in coastal areas by making it easier for bike lanes to be constructed passed the Senate on Monday.



Sen. Blakespear Introduces Legislation to Ensure Court Users Can Breastfeed

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, introduced legislation on Thursday to ensure that anyone who is in court and needs to pump breast milk will be given a break to do it.



Senators Request Higher Profile, State-Led Action for Coastal Rail Line

SACRAMENTO – A Senate subcommittee chaired by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, and tasked with improving support for the coastal rail line that runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo has called on a state agency to take a leadership role in managing the line and the many transportation agencies involved with it.



EN ESPAÑOL: Los Senadores Solicitan una Acción Liderada por el Estado y de Mayor Perfil para la Línea Ferroviaria Costera

Una subcomisión del Senado presidida por la Senadora Catherine Blakespear, Demócrata de Encinitas, y encargada de mejorar el apoyo a la línea ferroviaria costera que va de San Diego a San Luis Obispo ha pedido a una agencia estatal que asuma un papel de liderazgo en la gestión de la línea y las muchas agencias de transporte involucradas en él.