Senate Bucks Law Enforcement, Goes Soft on Solar Crime

In two hours of morning work, the Senate sent 16 Assembly bills back to the lower house August 20 – six of them unanimously – held some brief committee hearings and adjourned for the week.

The Assembly, which also scheduled a rare Friday session to cope with the avalanche of bills that bottle up in each house at the close of the legislative session which occurs August 31.    Read more »

More

A Busy Thursday Morning Moving Product in the State Senate

In approximately two-and-one-half hours on August 19, the state Senate during its morning session sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger 43 pieces of legislation, 34 of them on unanimous votes.

A budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 wasn’t one of them.

Of nine bills that received votes in opposition, only four had seven or more “no” votes.    Read more »

More

“Neighborhood Electric Vehicle” Exemption OK’d for Fresno

On a unanimous vote, the state Senate approved a bill August 18 that would allow the city of Fresno to crate a “neighborhood electric vehicle” plan.

Low-speed vehicles, like golf carts, are prevented from being driven on roads with speeds above 35 miles per hour unless the state issues an exemption.    Read more »

More

California Apiary Commission Would Help Protect Honey Bees

Legislature Sends Governor Bill to Protect Honey Bees

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The State Legislature approved a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) establishing the California Apiary Research Commission (Commission) tasked with protecting the health of honey bees, which have been dying in alarming numbers in recent years.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1912 passed the Assembly today (August 16) with a 57-15 concurrence vote on amendments taken in the Senate, following a 26-8 Senate vote last Wednesday.     Read more »

More

Voluntary Tax Check-Off For Police Activities League OK’d

The California Police Activities League would be the beneficiary of new voluntary state income tax check-of under legislation approved August 12 by the California state Senate.

It’s one of six such measures pending in the Legislature this year allowing taxpayers to help pay for everything from the YMCA Model Legislature to National Guard Education Assistance to the “Morale, Welfare and Recreation” funds at California’s veterans’ homes.    Read more »

More

State Senate Makes It Easier to Feed Carrion to Wild Condors

Non-profit groups helping feed California’s condors would no longer be prohibited from hauling dead animal carcasses to the giant carrion-eaters under legislation approved August 12 by the state Senate.

As lawmakers approach the final two weeks of the 2010 legislative session, both the Assembly and Senate are voting on dozens of bills daily, a number that will increase sharply as the August 31 deadline gets closer.    Read more »

More

BIll to Ban Bisphenol A in Baby Products Passes the Assembly

On the first day of the new fiscal year, the state Assembly spent 45 minutes debating a bill that would ban the use of bisphenol A in sippy cups, baby bottles, and formula containers used by infants up to the age of three.

More than 15 lawmakers spoke on both sides of the bill, SB 797, which was defeated last September by the lower house.    Read more »

More

Asbestos Risks Drive Bid To Dump California’s State Rock

Normally, lawmakers carry legislation to add something to California’s list of “official state” symbols.

But in an unusual twist, a Los Angeles state senator wants to remove an item.

Not the dogface butterfly, California’s official state insect. Not the Golden State’s official song, “I Love You California,” words by Los Angeles merchant F.B.    Read more »

More

Democrats Hold Business-Backed Measures on Suspense File

Most bills supported by the California Chamber of Commerce and other pro-business groups were held in the Senate and Assembly Appropriations committees during the recently completed suspense file process.

Suspense is the process whereby bills with fiscal impacts – over $150,000 in the Assembly — are held and then considered together based on the state’s fiscal condition.    Read more »

More

Consumers Might Learn the Identity of the “Absentee Florist”

While California isn’t close to closing its $17.9 billion budget gap between revenues and spending commitments, it is a step closer to outlawing “absentee florists.”

For the second legislative session in a row, Assemblywoman Mary Salas is carrying a bill that would prevent a “vendor of floral or ornamental products or services” – as defined – from misrepresenting the location of their business.    Read more »

More