Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) was sworn in today with a group of new elected members to the California State Assembly. Huffman, who has been busy learning the ropes and hiring staff, will be representing the 6th Assembly District which encompasses the County of Marin and southern Sonoma County. The new member wasted no time in tackling the issues by introducing a new bill, coauthoring a bill, being named Chair of the Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee and announcing two essay contests to engage local constituents in the legislative process: “There ought to be a law” and “There ought not be a law.”

“I’m thankful to have such a unique opportunity to serve the people of the district and I’m looking forward to getting started,” said Huffman.

Huffman was quick to act in his first day by introducing Assembly Bill 28 that would continue the successful California Breast Cancer Research Fund tax check-off program which is set to expire next year (extending the sunset from 2008 to 2013). He is also co-authoring Assemblymember Mark Leno’s (D-San Francisco) Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Act. This civil rights measure seeks to end discrimination against same-sex couples by the State of California in the issuance of marriage licenses.

Huffman was also named as Chair of the Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee. The Committee's business is largely defined by the programs and policies administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency and its boards, departments, and office. In addition to hearing legislative measures concerning California's environment, the Committee also periodically conducts oversight hearings on Cal EPA to ensure that it is fully and efficiently implementing and enforcing legislative mandates.

He also announced his ‘There ought to be a law” and “There ought not be a law”. Though they are contests, Huffman will invite the 6th A.D. residents to submit their ideas for new legislation; and to identify existing law they feel should be repealed. If the suggestion is selected, the Assemblymember may introduce it as a bill in this year’s legislative cycle. Other members of the Legislature have introduced similar programs which have yielded great success.

Jared Huffman has dedicated his career to public service, including protecting California's environment and fighting for civil rights. As a former Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), civil rights champion, and Director of the Marin Municipal Water District, he brings to the Assembly a wealth of experience as an advocate on behalf of the environment, education, and the states quality of life.