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.)
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AB1505
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.)
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AB423
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.)
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AB127
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.)
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AB523
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.)
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AB424
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.)
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AB1565
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.)
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AB1668
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.)
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AB1008
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.)
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AB1308
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.)
