authors: Gonzalez, C. Garcia AB 479 would exempt tampons and diapers from sales tax, easing the financial burdens on millions of California's working women and parents, while replacing the small budget shortfall with an increase on the hard liquor tax, which has not gone up in over 25 years. (This bill is currently in the assembly.)

author: Gipson co-authors: Portantino, Wiener   Over 33,000 Americans are killed each year by firearms, and the public display of weapons is increasingly used as an intimidation tactic, as it was during white supremacist, Neo-Nazi rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia. AB 7 expands the range of public places in which it is a crime to openly carry an unloaded long gun. (This bill is now law.)

author: Gipson co-authors: Portantino, Wiener   Over 33,000 Americans are killed each year by firearms, and the public display of weapons is increasingly used as an intimidation tactic, as it was during white supremacist, Neo-Nazi rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia. AB 7 expands the range of public places in which it is a crime to openly carry an unloaded long gun. (This bill is now law.)

authors: Bonta, Bloom, Chiu, Jones-Sawyer, Quirk, M. Stone co-authors: Allen, Hertzberg, Mitchell, Wiener, Eggman, Friedman, Gloria   California's mandatory bail system is broken. By setting exorbitantly high dollar amounts which, if paid, allow someone accused of a crime to temporarily return to their life, the current bail system unfairly creates two standards of justice -- one for the rich, and one for the poor. Further, studies repeatedly show that eliminating bail -- allowing the accused to live normal lives while awaiting trial -- does not increase crime. AB 42 would allow judges and law enforcement more discretion in setting bail amounts, taking a big step toward fixing this unfair and ineffective system. (This bill died.)

author: Weber co-author: Mendoza   CalGang is a database that holds information on over 150,000 individuals -- mostly Latinos and blacks -- who may or may not be connected to a gang in California. This system had many flaws, including not requiring law enforcement to notify those who had been added to the database. Transparency and accountability in the system has begun to increase, continuing with AB 90. New regulations will be put in place that will further secure privacy rights for all individuals -- including immigrants whose information in the CalGang database can no longer be shared with ICE officials. There also must be stronger evidence of gang membership before individuals can be added to the CalGang database in the first place. (This bill is now law.)

author: Weber co-author: Mendoza   CalGang is a database that holds information on over 150,000 individuals -- mostly Latinos and blacks -- who may or may not be connected to a gang in California. This system had many flaws, including not requiring law enforcement to notify those who had been added to the database. Transparency and accountability in the system has begun to increase, continuing with AB 90. New regulations will be put in place that will further secure privacy rights for all individuals -- including immigrants whose information in the CalGang database can no longer be shared with ICE officials. There also must be stronger evidence of gang membership before individuals can be added to the CalGang database in the first place. (This bill is now law.)

author: Assembly Budget Committee In 2015, a leak at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility released more than 100,000 tons of methane into the air and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes. AB 127 would respond to the calls of environmental champions and help prevent another disaster by mandating the closure of the Aliso Canyon facility by no later than 2028. (This bill died.)

Author: Talamantes Eggman Co-authors: Wiener, Friedman, Lara   4,654 people died of drug overdoses in 2016 in California alone, according to the Center for Disease Control. AB 186 would authorize local governments to operate safe, hygienic, and secure injection sites for IV drug users and protect users and staff from prosecution. Permitting local governments to start these pilot programs would also prevent needless overdoses by managing dosages and prevent the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis B and C by assuring access to clean needles. Additionally, the sites would refer people to treatment and housing services.

authors: C. Garcia, E. Garcia, Holden co-authors: Bloom, Bonta, Eggman, Friedman, Gomez, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, McCarty, Reyes, Stone, Thurmond, Ting   California's 'cap and trade' policy often leaves low-income communities particularly vulnerable to pollution and environmental deterioration. AB 378 would require the state’s Air Resources Board to grade individual plants and to set new limits on air pollution as a condition for receiving some of the economic benefits of cap and trade. (This bill died.)

author: Bonta As urban areas in California rapidly gentrify, low-income renters are often disenfranchised by both rising rents and shady landlord practices. One such practice -- evicting low-income tenants from single room occupancy residences (in shared housing or in hotels) -- is currently allowed in Oakland. AB 423 would no longer allow this, protecting thousands of low-income Californians from shady eviction practices. (This bill died.)

authors: McCarty, Santiago co-authors: Chiu, Gloria   Despite the numerous murders committed with guns on school and college campuses all across America, California law allowed certain permitted individuals to carry concealed firearms on to campuses. AB 424 will make schools truly “gun free” by not allowing anyone -- even those with permits -- on the property with a gun, keeping students and educators safer from gun violence. (This bill is now law.)

authors: McCarty, Santiago co-authors: Chiu, Gloria   Despite the numerous murders committed with guns on school and college campuses all across America, California law allowed certain permitted individuals to carry concealed firearms on to campuses. AB 424 will make schools truly “gun free” by not allowing anyone -- even those with permits -- on the property with a gun, keeping students and educators safer from gun violence. (This bill is now law.)

author: Reyes co-author: Lara   Each year, the California Energy Commission (CEC) administers $130 million through the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) to invest in clean energy development in California, providing a benefit to our environment and helping lower costs for millions of energy users. AB 523 will dedicate a minimum of 25% of this annual money toward projects that exist in and benefit low-income communities who are the most vulnerable to pollution and its environmental and health concerns. (This bill is now law.)

author: Eggman In 2016, 13% of elder care facilities in California were reported for exploitation, abuse, and neglect — twice as high as the national average of 5%. Hundreds of thousands of California’s elderly residents live in these care facilities. Previously, the burden of clear and convincing proof lied on the abused in these cases. AB 859 would have reduced that burden if it was found that the facility had destroyed evidence of abuse. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

author: Eggman In 2016, 13% of elder care facilities in California were reported for exploitation, abuse, and neglect — twice as high as the national average of 5%. Hundreds of thousands of California’s elderly residents live in these care facilities. Previously, the burden of clear and convincing proof lied on the abused in these cases. AB 859 would have reduced that burden if it was found that the facility had destroyed evidence of abuse. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

author: Medina co-author: Gonzalez Fletcher   Housing developments that are approved by voters via ballot initiatives are allowed to skip the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. CEQA is a key step in evaluating the environmental impact of large construction projects. AB 890 would require developers to undergo full CEQA review and bans local governments from approving such projects outright. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

author: Medina co-author: Gonzalez Fletcher   Housing developments that are approved by voters via ballot initiatives are allowed to skip the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. CEQA is a key step in evaluating the environmental impact of large construction projects. AB 890 would require developers to undergo full CEQA review and bans local governments from approving such projects outright. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

authors: McCarty, Gipson, Holden, Reyes, Weber co-author: Bradford   In 2013, California passed a 'Ban the Box' law, forbidding most employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history as part of the initial job application process. AB 1008 strengthens the provisions of 'Ban the Box', forbidding all state and local agencies from inquiring about a criminal history until an employment offer has been made, and prohibiting employers from considering this information unless it directly affects the responsibilities of the job. AB 1008 will help more persons rehabilitate their lives after incarceration. (This bill is now law.)

authors: McCarty, Gipson, Holden, Reyes, Weber co-author: Bradford   In 2013, California passed a 'Ban the Box' law, forbidding most employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history as part of the initial job application process. AB 1008 strengthens the provisions of 'Ban the Box', forbidding all state and local agencies from inquiring about a criminal history until an employment offer has been made, and prohibiting employers from considering this information unless it directly affects the responsibilities of the job. AB 1008 will help more persons rehabilitate their lives after incarceration. (This bill is now law.)

author: Stone Current law in California requires the consideration of release for certain offenders whose crimes were committed when they were 23 or younger. AB 1308 will extend that mandate to offenders whose crimes were committed at age 25 or younger, giving more people who made mistakes in early adulthood the chance to rehabilitate themselves and return to society and their families. (This bill is now law.)

authors: Bloom, Chiu, Gloria co-authors: Bradford, Wiener, Allen, Gonzalez Fletcher, Mullin, Ting   Housing costs throughout California have surged in recent years, with the median home now costing over $500,000. This unfettered market has increased homelessness and has created serious barriers in sustaining a healthy middle class. AB 1505 restores the authority of local government to require that new rental housing developments include 15% of units that are affordable to households earning 80% or less of the area’s median income. (This bill is now law.)

authors: Bloom, Chiu, Gloria co-authors: Bradford, Wiener, Allen, Gonzalez Fletcher, Mullin, Ting   Housing costs throughout California have surged in recent years, with the median home now costing over $500,000. This unfettered market has increased homelessness and has created serious barriers in sustaining a healthy middle class. AB 1505 restores the authority of local government to require that new rental housing developments include 15% of units that are affordable to households earning 80% or less of the area’s median income. (This bill is now law.)

author: Thurmond co-author: Gonzalez Fletcher   Under current law, many California workers are not entitled to overtime compensation if their annual salary is greater than $23,660. In 2016, the Obama Administration issued new regulations, doubling that ceiling to include guaranteed overtime compensation for workers making less than $47,476. AB 1565 would protect low and mid-income workers by making that regulation part of California law. (This bill is now law.)

author: Jones-Sawyer co-authors: Bonta, Chiu, Eggman, C. Garcia, Skinner, Wiener, Wood   Despite California's legalization of cannabis, the Trump Administration recently threatened to use federal enforcement to continue treating medical cannabis or marijuana use as illegal. Californians have spoken on this issue, and AB 1578 would ensure that, absent a court order, local and state agencies will not assist federal agents in taking action against citizens who are operating legally under California law. This would help protect our citizens from unwelcome federal overreach and protects limited state and local resources from being used unlawfully. (This bill died.)

author: Friedman co-authors: Hertzberg, Skinner, Allen, Wiener   California may be heading straight back into another drought after the previous one ravaged the state for years. AB 1668 would help California’s cities and towns better prepare for drought by providing them with the necessary support and resources they need to use water more efficiently. It will also save taxpayers money by better managing current water facilities before building new ones. (This bill is now law.)

author: Santiago co-authors: Aguiar-Curry, Berman, Bloom, Bonta, Calderon, Chau, Chiu, Chu, Friedman, E. Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Levine, Limon, Low, McCarty, Medina, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Quirk, Rendon, Reyes, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriquez, Rubio, Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Weber, Wood   Over 30,000 Americans are killed each year by firearms. Despite the plague of gun-related deaths in our country, federal legislators have recently introduced bills that would require states to recognize concealed carry permits from out-of-state gun holders. AJR 24 will draw a firm line in the sand that California opposes such reciprocity, which would have eroded the common sense gun safety legislation our state has passed. (This bill is now law.)

author: Dodd co-authors: Dababneh, Wieckowski, Chiu, Hertzberg   In a massive case of corporate deceit, Wells Fargo was recently fined $185 million for the illegal creation of over 3 million fraudulent consumer accounts. On top of that, corporations like Wells Fargo often force consumers to sign documents promising to forgo their right to go to court when the business commits fraud against them. SB 33 safeguards consumers from this shady practice, particularly the most vulnerable among us -- the elderly, working poor, immigrants grappling with a language barrier, and harried students just learning to balance a checkbook. (This bill is now law.)

Authors: De León, Stern Co-authors: Beall, Chiu, Dababneh, Friedman, Levine, McCarty, Skinner   The Trump administration has targeted environmental protections across the country. For example, the administration lifted some restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions from coal plants and eased drilling regulations in protected habitats across eleven western states. SB 49 would protect many federal environmental protection regulations and other rules by including similar protections within California state law.

author: de León   co-authors: Atkins, Beall, Bonta, Chiu, Cooper, Gomez, Levine, Pan, Reyes, Santiago, Skinner, Wiener   In recent months, deportations have surged throughout the country, creating a culture of fear that has resulted in the separation of families, the terrorization of undocumented workers, and division in communities. SB 54 makes California a sanctuary state -- ensuring that state funds will not be used to tear apart families and that law enforcement does not participate in mass deportations. (This bill is now law.)

authors: Mitchell, Lara co-authors: Bradford, Skinner, Wieckowski, Wiener   One of the many legacies of the War on Drugs was that a person convicted of drug possession (or a similar offense) is sentenced to an additional three years for each prior conviction, leading to exorbitantly long jail sentences. The prosecution of these cases disproportionately impacts low-income communities of color, the homeless, and the mentally ill. SB 180 reforms the sentence enhancement to be based only on prior convictions involving the use of a minor as a seller or buyer. (This bill is now law.)

Author: Wieckowski   Currently, individuals such as farm laborers, substitute teachers, janitors, and others who work seasonally are at risk of losing their savings to creditors during the off-season. SB 298 would protect two months’ worth of savings at the amount of the hourly minimum wage from being taken by debt collectors so that seasonal workers are not left bankrupt.

author: Hertzberg co-author: Gonzalez Fletcher   Previously, workers in California who filed a labor claim against their employers were not able to work while it was in process -- a process that can take years. This places an unfair and heavy burden on workers. SB 306 provides those workers with the right to return to their jobs while the claim is being resolved. (This bill is now law.)

author: Bradford During recent years, when many unarmed citizens have been seriously injured or killed by police, public interest in police procedure and training has increased. With so many jurisdictions and departments all over California, transparency and accountability would increase dramatically if their policies and procedures were visible to the public. SB 345 would mandate that every law enforcement agency in the state publish on its website all “current standards, policies, practices, operating procedures, and education and training materials” by January 1, 2019. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

author: Lara, Mitchell co-authors: Bradford, Skinner, Wiener   Nearly 300 Californians are currently serving mandatory life without parole (LWOP) sentences for crimes committed when they were minors. States all across the country are moving to eliminate LWOP sentences for minors under the belief that creating the opportunity for parole is a more humane, rehabilitation-focused approach to criminal justice. SB 394 will do just that in California, giving young people who have committed crimes the chance to rehabilitate their lives. (This bill is now law.)

author: Lara, Mitchell co-author: Skinner   Developmental science concludes that cognitive brain development continues into adulthood, leaving minors with less capacity to understand their rights. Because of this, youth are significantly more vulnerable to giving false statements to authorities. SB 395 will safeguard young people’s rights by mandating that individuals 15 years or younger be permitted to consult with legal counsel prior to an interrogation. (This bill is now law.)

author: Hill co-authors: McCarty, Wiener   Over 33,000 Americans are killed each year by firearms, many of them stolen. SB 464 would increase the storage and security requirements of all firearms in the inventory of a licensed firearms dealer to help prevent theft. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

author: Pan co-author: Baker   In 2014, California enacted a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) law, allowing law enforcement and family members to petition a court for a temporary firearm prohibition when a person is at risk of injury to self and others by accessing a firearm. These laws help prevent homicide and suicide, which contribute to the over 33,000 American deaths by guns each year. SB 536 allows certain researchers access to GVRO data, in order to better study the impacts of public policy on gun violence. (This bill is now law.)

author: Bradford In California, criminal sentences are often lengthened if the crime was committed with the use of a firearm. Judges often have little discretion due to mandatory sentence enhancements, and can sometimes be forced to levy unfairly long sentences on people who were not the ones carrying or using a firearm. SB 620 will grant judges more leeway to make determinations on sentence enhancements on a case-by-case basis, ensuring a more thoughtful, empowered approach to justice. (This bill is now law.)

author: Bradford In California, criminal sentences are often lengthened if the crime was committed with the use of a firearm. Judges often have little discretion due to mandatory sentence enhancements, and can sometimes be forced to levy unfairly long sentences on people who were not the ones carrying or using a firearm. SB 620 will grant judges more leeway to make determinations on sentence enhancements on a case-by-case basis, ensuring a more thoughtful, empowered approach to justice. (This bill is now law.)

author: Skinner The further a person needs to go to obtain emergency medical care, the more likely they are to suffer or even die. The problem is being exacerbated as hospitals close as their owners search for greater profits. SB 687 would mandate that non-profit hospitals -- which are often profit-driven despite their tax status -- receive written approval from the state Attorney General before closing their general care or emergency departments, creating a more robust chain of accountability and an increased ability to block these closures. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

author: Skinner The further a person needs to go to obtain emergency medical care, the more likely they are to suffer or even die. The problem is being exacerbated as hospitals close as their owners search for greater profits. SB 687 would mandate that non-profit hospitals -- which are often profit-driven despite their tax status -- receive written approval from the state Attorney General before closing their general care or emergency departments, creating a more robust chain of accountability and an increased ability to block these closures. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

author: Leyva The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the agency responsible for protecting Californians from the harmful effects of toxic substances, has struggled to earn the trust of communities of color, due to many cases of dubious oversight, like the Exide battery plant, Kettleman Hills hazardous waste facility, and Jordan Downs housing project. SB 774 would create a independent, 5-member board -- the California Toxic Substances Board (CTSB) -- to oversee the work of the DTSC, providing more accountability. (This bill was vetoed by Governor Brown.)

author: Skinner co-author: Anderson   The average California prison is currently 30% over capacity, leading to inhumane or poor living conditions. The prison population costs taxpayers an average of $70,836 per inmate, and many incarcerated individuals have not been sentenced fairly or equitably. SCR 48 gives judges and jurors more leeway to deliver a sentence that is appropriate for the crime committed, rather than requiring those who committed small crimes to serve unnecessarily long jail times. (This bill is now law.)