Will Young Skiers and Snowboarders Don Helmets in 2011?

Skiers and snowboarders under 18 years of age would join bicyclists under the same age and be required to wear helmets under a bill awaiting action by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Failure to obey the law could lead to a fine of up to $25 levied against the child’s parents.

Supporters offer the same arguments as those who backed the 1993 measure requiring bike helmets for non-adult riders and the 1992 law mandating helmets for all motorcyclists: Helmets reduce injury.    Read more »

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What Happens When The Two Bills Below Are Acted On?

State Schools Chief Jack O’Connell Urges Governor to Sign ?Education Funding Bills Into Law Before Going on Asia Trade Mission

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today urged Governor Schwarzenegger to sign into law Senate Bill (SB) 847 and Assembly Bill (AB) 185 before he leaves the state tomorrow to embark on a trade mission to Asia.    Read more »

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Governor Considers Bill That Would Prohibit Marijuana Dispensaries from Being Located 600 Feet from Schools

Medical marijuana buyers’ clubs and dispensaries would be prohibited from being within 600 feet of public or private school under legislation on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.

Through local zoning ordinances, cities and counties already have the ability to restrict where various types of establishments are located. Los Angles, for example, faces court challenges over an ordinance that took effect in June that will close 439 marijuana collectives and forbids any remaining ones to be located within 1,000 feet of a school or another dispensary.    Read more »

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Will California’s Hospitals Become Earthquake-Safer Sooner?

An effort to strengthen more of California’s hospitals against earthquakes sooner is awaiting action by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The measure is the latest in a line of legislation dating back to 1973 attempting to ensure hospitals withstand the jolt of a major quake.

Nearly 40 years later, 721 hospital buildings out of 2,670 buildings at 416 facilities across the state are judged to be at risk of collapse or significant loss of life in a major earthquake, according to data from the Office of Statewide Planning and Development, which oversees hospital seismic safety.    Read more »

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Big Changes Ahead for Hybrid Owners Using Carpool Lanes

Ten months from now, major changes will begin for drivers of low-emission vehicles in California’s carpool lanes.

Without fanfare, Gov. Arnold, Schwarzenegger signed legislation August 30 that permits 40,000 of the next generation of hybrids – electric motor, rechargeable battery-powered cars with small internal combustion engines – to use High Occupancy Vehicle lanes beginning in January 2012.    Read more »

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Bill to Fight Human Trafficking and Slavery Sent to Governor

Large retailers and manufacturers doing business in California would be required to disclose what steps they were taking to end slavery and human trafficking under a bill sent August 30 to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The measure, SB 657, applies only to businesses with $100 million in worldwide sales.

Beginning January 1, 2012 it would force postings on an applicable company’s website “with a conspicuous and easily understood link” describing how much the retailer verifies that its product supply chain does not include slave labor or involve victims of human trafficking.    Read more »

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With Federal Help, Bill Seeks to End California’s Food Deserts

Converting food deserts into oases is the goal of the federal Healthy Food Financing Initiative – and of legislation by Assembly Speaker John Perez.

Perez, a Los Angeles Democrat, is carrying a measure that would create the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative that, contingent on federal money appearing, would attempt to eradicate the state’s food deserts and steer Californians away from food swamps.    Read more »

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California Arts Council Tax Check Off Sent to Governor

California taxpayers could voluntarily give money to support the state’s Arts Council under legislation sent y the Senate to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on August 25.

The 40-member Senate sent the measure, SB 1076 by Sen. Curren Price, an Inglewood Democrat, to the GOP governor on a 24 o 8 vote.

On August 24, the Assembly sent a similar voluntary check off bill to Schwarzenegger, this one to benefit the state’s veterans’ homes.    Read more »

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A Banner Day in Sacramento for Veterans’ License Plates

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two bills affecting license plates and veterans August 24.

One measure attempts to increase sales by allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to redesign the veterans’ organizations license plates.

The other permits family members of dead persons with Purple Heart of Legion of Honor license plates to keep the plates, rather than returning them to the Department of Motor Vehicles.    Read more »

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Busy College Students May Get Convenient Ballot Drop-Offs

Assembly Democrats and Republicans sparred over whether college students at three state universities and colleges should be given vote-by-mail drop-off locations.

During a lengthy floor session on August 23 – the first of the last seven working days of the 2010 legislative year – the measure on ballot drop-offs for college students generated some of the most heat.    Read more »

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