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Elected to the California State Assembly in 2002, Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) represents the Eighth Assembly District, which spans Solano and Yolo Counties including the cities of Benicia, Davis, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland.
During her many years of public service, Assemblywoman Wolk has earned a reputation as a problem solver by successfully tackling difficult issue areas including transportation, education, elder abuse, health, housing, human services, political reform, public safety, environmental protection, and flood management.
Wolk currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. The first woman to head the committee, Wolk has used her chairmanship to bring heightened attention to important topics including flood protection, the crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, water management and climate change, land use, state parks, fisheries, and invasive species.
Wolk serves on the following Assembly Committees: Budget; Banking and Finance: Natural Resources; Veterans Affairs; and the Budget Subcommittee on Transportation and Information Technology. She also serves on several Select Committees including Biotechnology; Domestic Violence; Future of Farming in California; Procurement; Ports; and Wine.
Wolk serves as the Assembly’s representative on the Delta Protection Commission, charged with protecting the Delta’s environmental, agricultural, and recreational values. As a member of the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Wolk helps allocate funding for important environmental projects throughout the state. She also serves as the Assembly’s representative on the California Public Library Construction and Renovation Board which allocates state funding support for local library construction.
In her five years in the Assembly, Wolk has succeeded in authoring 50 new laws. Most recently, in 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger signed 10 Wolk-authored bills including legislationto improve flood protection in flood-prone areas of California’s Central Valley; improve safety on a treacherous stretch of State Highway 12; require more planning for state parks and recreation opportunities for the Central Valley; and provide the Department of Fish and Game with the authority to control highly invasive species that threaten California's water delivery and natural ecosystems.
Wolk has been honored by many organizations for her public service, including
the Planning and Conservation League, who named Wolk its 2007 Legislator of the Year for her leadership in water policy and legislation, and for championing a landmark package of flood protection bills to strengthen flood protection in California’s Central Valley and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. The package, which was signed into law by the Governor, included two bills by Wolk and has been described as the most significant accomplishment of the entire 2007 session of the California State Legislature.
In 2007, both the Highway 12 Association and Solano Transportation Authority honored Wolk for her tireless work to develop a Highway 12 safety package with the California Department of Transportation and California Highway Patrol, and for authoring legislation to establish a safety enhancement double fine zone on a dangerous stretch of State Highway Route 12.
In her first term, Wolk’s work as Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, including her efforts to focus attention on improving disabled access and improving efforts to prevent child abuse and elder abuse, earned her the Outstanding Advocate Award from the Easter Seals Society of California.
She was also awarded the "Golden Pedigree" by The California Journal for her integrity, trustworthiness, and personal ethics, and recognized as one of the "Freshman Elite" for her high standing among first-term legislators in August 2004.
A resident of Davis since 1978, Wolk has a long record of community and public service.
In 1990, she won a seat on the Davis City Council, and served two terms as Mayor from 1992-94 and 1996-98. While on the City Council, she led the effort to build the Sutter Davis Hospital and the University Retirement Community. She spearheaded the formation of the Economics and Finance Commission and the Open Space Commission. She also led the efforts to preserve and restore Putah Creek.
Wolk served as Yolo County Supervisor from 1998 to 2002. As a supervisor, she led the effort to create a Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center for abused children, a Crisis Nursery, the Yolo County Children’s Alliance, and the first Tree Plan for Yolo County. During her tenure, the Board successfully funded a new Juvenile Hall and revised the County's Agricultural Zoning Ordinance to preserve Yolo's prime agricultural land.
Wolk earned her B.A. from Antioch College in 1968, and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 1971. She has taught History, Social Studies and French in grades 7 through 12 in both public and private schools. She has been married to Bruce Wolk, Professor of Law at UC Davis Law School since 1978. They have two grown sons: Adam and Dan.
Chaptered Legislation, 2007:
- AB 5 – Flood Management: establishes a comprehensive set of policies to move towards 21st-century flood protection, coordinating state and local efforts to connect land-use decisions and flood management planning. Linked to a comprehensive package of flood protection bills, including: SB 5 (Machado/Wolk), AB 162 (Wolk), SB 17 (Florez), and AB 156 (Laird). (Chapter 366)
- AB 112 – Highway 12 Double Fine Zone: designates a dangerous stretch of State Highway Route 12 in Solano County between Interstate 80 to Interstate 5 as a safety enhancement-double fine zone, and creates a process for designating future double fine zones throughout the state for traffic violations such as speeding, reckless driving, and drunken driving. (Chapter 258)
- AB 162 – Flood Planning: requires cities and counties in California to incorporate flood hazards in their general plans in order to minimize risk in flood-prone areas. (Chapter 369)
- AB 373 – Mello-Roos Clean-up: makes numerous updates to the Mello-Roos Act to help finance the construction of schools, parks, police and fire service, streets, and other basic infrastructure and services needed to accommodate new housing. (Chapter 670)
- AB 443 – CHP Relocation: allows the California Highway Patrol to move their headquarters to West Sacramento, by changing current law to require that the CHP headquarters is within 20 miles of Sacramento. (Chapter 9)
- AB 478 – Bicycle Safety/Bike Lights: requires bicycle lights to be used on sidewalks where bicycles are permitted, and on pathways used primarily used by bicyclists; allows bicyclists to use reflectors on their shoes or ankles, instead of on each bike pedal. (Chapter 232)
- AB 532 – Solar Heated Swimming Pools: requires solar heating to be evaluated as an option for all state operated swimming pools. (Chapter 598)
- AB 646 – Cache Creek Resources Management: extends until December 31, 2012, an existing resource management plan to balance the need for environmental review of seasonal gravel extraction on the lower Cache Creek in Yolo County with the needs of local flood management, water supply and conveyance, habitat, recreation, and agricultural production. (Chapter 604)
- AB 1426 – Central Valley Vision: requires the State Department of Parks and Recreation to develop and implement a detailed plan to expand and improve park facilities and recreation programs in the Central Valley State Park System. (Chapter 546)
- AB 1683 – Quagga Mussels: provides the Department of Fish and Game with the authority necessary to prevent the spread of quagga mussels, a highly invasive species threatening California's water delivery and natural ecosystems. (Chapter 419)
- ACR 7 – Officer David Lamoree Memorial Highway: designates a portion of State Highway Route 12 in Solano County as the Officer David Lamoree Memorial Highway. (Resolution Chapter 121)
Chaptered Legislation, 2005-2006:
- AB 56 – Bike Signals: makes permanent the provisions in existing law allowing bicycle traffic signals in specified locations, including the City of Davis.
- AB 573 – Construction contracts, indemnity: protects design professionals from unfair contract provisions holding them liable for other parties’ negligent acts and omissions.
- AB 574 – Recycled Concrete: allows for the use of recycled concrete in building materials if the end user is aware that it is recycled.
- AB 575 – E-Waste Recycling: provides for the collection of e-waste disposal fees for leased electronic devices subject to the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003.
- AB 576 – California State Immunization Registry: creates a statewide immunization registry to ensure that more children are immunized, reducing the risk of disease, hospitalization and lost time from school and work.
- AB 796 – Library Name Change: allows certain public library districts, including the Governing Board of Dixon Unified School District Library District of Solano County, to determine their own names.
- AB 797 – Delta Protection Act: strengthens the Delta Protection Commission, enabling the board to better protect the water, agricultural land, and other Delta resources.
- AB 798 – Delta Levee Subventions: enables the state to continue paying the majority of ongoing costs for Delta levee projects, making it easier for local governments to afford maintenance and improvements to satisfy urgent needs.
- AB 874 – Avian Flu Wildlife Surveillance Act: increases the state’s preparedness for an outbreak of the Avian Flu.
- AB 1188 – Impeding a Mandated Report Elder/Child Abuse: establishes uniform fines and penalties for failing to report or impeding a mandated report of child and elder abuse.
- AB 1245 – West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency: expands the authority of the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency to accomplish new flood protection projects.
- AB 1328 – Cache Creek Wild & Scenic River Designation: designates 31 miles of Cache Creek in Yolo and Lake Counties as a State Wild, Scenic and Recreational River.
- AB 1329 – Design Build: authorizes the use of the cost-effective, design-build construction process in Yolo and Solano County cities.
- AB 1610 – Charter Schools: strengthens accountability measures and ensures equity for charter schools.
- AB 2155 – Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste: modifies state’s hazardous waste permitting law to accommodate processes used by small batch pharmaceutical manufacturers.
- AB 2538 – State Transportation Improvement Program: increases funding for local or regional transportation agencies for project planning and monitoring, helping avoid delays in construction projects.
- AB 2918 – Partnership Health: Expands County Organized Health Systems statutory authority to create and administer certain health service programs other than those already specified in law (MediCal, Healthy Families, Medicare).
- AB 2939 – Port of Sacramento Governance Structure: gives full management of Port of Sacramento to host jurisdiction, the City of West Sacramento and Yolo County, expanding the port’s business prospects.
- SB 1018 – Elder Abuse: authored with Senator Joe Simitian, this bill mandates bank employees to report elder financial abuse to law enforcement.
- ACR 13 – Spay Day Resolution: declared February 22, 2005, to be Spay Day USA 2005.
- ACR 16 – CHP Sgt. Gary R. Wagers Memorial Interchange: designated the interchange of State Highway Route 5 (SR) and SR 113 the "CHP Sergeant Gary R. Wagers Memorial Interchange."
- ACR 21 – Watershed Awareness Month: proclaimed the month of May 2005 Watershed Awareness Month.
- HR 8 – National Library Week: acknowledged the celebration of National Library Week from April 10 through April 16, 2005.
Chaptered Legislation, 2003-2004
- AB 163 – Fairfield-Suisun School Fix: authored with Assemblyman Joe Nation, this bill allows Fairfield Suisun School District to use year-round single-track calendar year without suffering significant penalties. ($14 million)
- AB 164 – Principal Training Program: provides intensive professional development in management and standards-based instructional leadership to high school principals.
- AB 1400 – Universal Design for New Home Construction: requires all builders of new, single family homes, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and condominiums, to provide buyers with information on universal design features for disabled access and the opportunity to add these features to their homes.
- AB 1402 – CalWORKS Quarterly Reporting: fixes a conflict with federal law to allow the state to implement a simpler and less wasteful system of reporting information by families who need Food Stamps or CalWORKs. Benefits will be based on current rather than past circumstances and will be submitted quarterly rather than monthly.
- AB 1405 – Statewide Watershed Policy: recognizes local partnerships in watershed restoration efforts, and sets forth policies that will allow the state to fully collaborate with local watershed partnerships.
- AB 1407 – Solar Rights Act I: requires cities that receive state grant-funding for solar energy systems to comply with the Solar Rights Act that ensures there are no unreasonable restrictions placed on homeowners who wish to install solar energy systems.
- AB 1408 – Pipeline Oil Spill: requires the immediate reporting of a threat or an actual discharge of oil in marine waters to the Office of Emergency Services. Also requires the State Fire Marshal, in its report to the Legislature every five years, to assess the condition of all pipelines in the state.
- AB 1409 – Bicycle Racks on Buses: amends the Vehicle Code to permit commuter buses to be equipped with folding, front-mounting bicycle racks.
- AB 1410 – Transit Oriented Development: gives the right of first refusal to local agencies to purchase state surplus land in order to develop a transit village or infill opportunity zone.
- AB 1411 – Anti-Hazing Enforcement in Schools: gives school administrators the authority to suspend or expel students for hazing. The bill also expands the definition of hazing in the Education Code.
- AB 1413 – Adoption Birth Certificate Processing: accelerates the processing of birth certificates for adoption of foster children.
- AB 1716 – County Welfare Caseload Realignment: allows restoration of $27 million from increased sales tax revenues to replace earlier declines in realignment funding for county social services. Resulted in $287,000 increase in Solano County and $153,000 in Yolo County.
- AB 1956 – Diversion For Autistic Defendants: includes autism and other cognitive developmental disabilities among mental illnesses eligible for criminal diversion programs in misdemeanor cases.
- AB 1982– Mosquito Reduction on State Managed Wetlands: requires all state managed lands to implement healthy and habitat friendly mosquito abatement in order to stop the spread of West Nile Virus. SB 1545, co-authored by Wolk, appropriates $750,000 to implement AB 1982.
- AB 1984 – CCRMP/ Surface Mining: reinstates Public Resources Code (PRC) section 2715.5 which allows Yolo County to use Cache Creek Resources Management Plan (CRMP) in place of a reclamation plan.
- AB 1985 – Auto Insurance Claim Records: expressly permits insurers to retain electronic copies of claim forms in auto theft-related claims.
- AB 1986 – CDSS Evaluation/ Background Checks: extended authority for counties to grant exemptions from disqualification of prospective foster parents for certain crimes when county finds substantial and convincing evidence of good character.
- AB 2054 – BIFS: extends the sunset date for new University of California Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) projects from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2010.
- AB 2292 – Visitation/Legal Guardians: allows a guardian to be granted visitation rights if the court believes it is in the best interest of the child to continue that contact after adoption or reunification.
- AB 2473 – Solar Rights Act II: A follow-up to AB 1407, the bill prohibits local governments from restricting the installation of a solar energy system based on aesthetics.
- AB 2795 – CWS PIP: implements state's Program Improvement Plan (PIP) for services to abused and neglected children by allowing counties an additional 30 days to develop case plans and allowing 6-month extensions of Family Maintenance Services if needed.
- ACR 251 – Assisted Living Week: proclaims the week of September 12-18 2004 as Assisted Living Week in California.
- AJR 71 – Veterans’ Health Care: urges the President and Congress of the United States to provide a guaranteed level of funding for veterans’ health care and restore the medical benefits package for veterans in Priority Group 8
Awards & Recognition:
- California Trout presents Wolk its Golden Trout Award for 2007 for her leadership as the chairwoman of the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on some of California’s most pressing water issues, including the state’s fisheries decline, flood protection, and water policy reform. May 2008.
- The California Native Plant Society presents Wolk its Legislator of the Year Award for 2007 for her support of “natural resources, native habitats, and open space preservation”, and for her “persistent leadership on conservation and general environmental issues,” including her “instrumental” role in obtaining California Wild and Scenic River status for Cache Creek. March 2008.
- The Venture Club of Davis presents Wolk the Mae Carvell Award for her “commitment and dedication to advancing the status of women in Yolo County.” January 2008.
- The Planning and Conservation League names Wolk its 2007 Legislator of the Year for her leadership in water policy and legislation, including a landmark flood protection package signed by the Governor. Wolk championed efforts to craft the comprehensive package of legislation, which works to strengthen flood protection in California’s Central Valley and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region, and authored two bills in the package dealing with land use and flood management planning. January 2008.
- The California League of Conservation Voters awards Wolk 100 percent on its 2007 scorecard grading state lawmaker’s votes on legislation on the state’s top environmental issues, including air quality, and flood and wildlife protection. November 2007.
- The Solano Transportation Authority names Wolk its State Elected Official of the Year for her support of Solano County transportation projects, particularly her work to develop a Highway 12 safety package with the California Department of Transportation and California Highway Patrol, and for authoring AB 112, which established a safety enhancement double fine zone on a dangerous stretch of State Highway Route 12.November 2007.
- The Consumer Federation of California awards Wolk 100 percent on its 2007 Consumer Scorecard for State Lawmakers, which grades legislators for their votes on legislation relating to consumer rights and safety. October 2007.
- Honored by Davis Unified School District Board of Education for her “integral role” in winning the district’s appeal to the State Allocation Board for reimbursement for $4.5 million in construction costs for Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School. October 2007.
- Honored by the Highway 12 Association (Rio Vista) for her “tireless work” to develop a Highway 12 safety package with the California Department of Transportation and California Highway Patrol and for authoring legislation to establish a safety enhancement double fine zone on a dangerous stretch of State Highway Route 12. October 2007.
- California Alliance for Retired Americans awards Wolk 100 percent voting record on its voting scorecard reviewing state legislators’ votes on bills important to seniors and retirees. October 2007.
- Honored by the Latino Community Council of Woodland with the Aguila Unity Award, for her contributions to the community. May 2007.
- California Association of Recreation & Park Districts honors Wolk with its Legislator of the Year Award for 2006 for her leadership and advocacy for parks, recreation, and open space issues. May 2007.
- Mosquito and Vector Control Association honors Wolk with its Legislator of the Year Award for 2006 for her work to protect Californians from West Nile and other vector-borne diseases. April 2007
- Environment California honors Wolk with its Environmental Champion 2006 Award for her work to protect California’s air, water, and open space. April 2007.
- Environment California awards Wolk 100 percent on its 2006 legislative scorecard for her votes on 17 key environmental bills, including The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which creates the first ever statewide cap on global warming pollution, and Senate Bill 1 (Murray), which put California on a track toward building a million solar roofs in the next ten years. Wolk coauthored both bills. April 2007.
- Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California honors Wolk with its Legislator of the Year 2006 Award for championing legislation to restore equity to public construction liability. January 2007.
- California Park & Recreation Society awards Wolk 100 percent on its 2006 legislative scorecard for her votes on legislation affecting local and state parks and recreation services, the environment, and open space. January 2007.
- Floodplain Management Association honors Wolk with its Hogg-Owen Award for Meritorious Achievement in Floodplain Management Award for her work on developing legislation to reduce the State's exposure to flood risks. November 2006.
- Solano Transportation Authority names Wolk its State Elected Official of the Year for her advocacy for Solano County transportation improvements, specifically for her legislation to improve funding for planning local transportation projects and her support for added funding for projects on Interstate 80 and State Route 12. November 2006.
- Friends of the River honors Wolk with its Peter H. Behr Award for her 2005 legislation designating a dramatic stretch of Cache Creek as a State Wild, Scenic and Recreational River. November 2006.
- The Environmental Council of Sacramento honors Wolk with its Environmentalist of the Year Award for her notable achievements in protecting the environment in the Sacramento region, particularly for her leadership in efforts to protect Californians from flood risk. October 2006.
- California Wilderness Coalition honors Wolk with its Philip Burton Wilderness Award, for her Assembly Bill 1328 designating 31 miles of Cache Creek as a State Wild, Scenic and Recreational River. The award honors elected officials and other leaders “who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to wilderness conservation in California, making them true champions for California’s wild lands.” May 2006.
- California Association of Recreation and Parks Districts honors Wolk with its 2006 Award of Excellence for efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of recreation and park districts. May 2006.
- National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter, awards Wolk 100 percent on its 2005 legislative scorecard for votes on bills impacting issues ranging from minimum wage to elder financial abuse. March 2006.
- California Coalition Against Sexual Assault awards Wolk 100 percent on its 2005 legislative scorecard for voting record on bills to strengthen laws regarding sexual assault. February 2006.
- Applied Research Center awards Wolk with an “A” grade on 2005 California Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity for votes on 18 pieces of legislation dealing with educational equity, economic justice, health equity, civil rights, and criminal justice. December 2005.
- California Alliance for Retired Americans awards Wolk with an “A” grade on its 2005 legislative scorecard. November 2005.
- California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners honors Wolk with its Elected State Official Award for support of legislation to benefit libraries. November 2005.
- California Invasive Plant Council honors Wolk with its Invasive Plants Policy Award for work to protect California’s threatened native habitat. October 2005.
- California State Sheriffs' Association honors Wolk with its Outstanding Assembly Member Award for her continued support of law enforcement and advocacy for public safety issues in California. August 2005.
- California Park & Recreation Society places Wolk on its 2003-2004 Legislative Honor Roll for her voting record on legislation of interest to park and recreation providers. January 2005.
- The California Journal honors Wolk with its Freshman Elite Award for her high standing among first-term legislators. August 2004.
- The California Journal honors Wolk with its Golden Pedigree Award for her integrity, trustworthiness, and personal ethics. August 2004.
- Vote the Coast honors Wolk with its Coastal Steward Award. May 2004.
- Easter Seals California honors Wolk with its Outstanding Advocate Award 2004. April 2004.
- 10th annual Northern California Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Conference honors Wolk for her efforts to protect young people. April 2004.
- CalCoast, Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project, and the California Watershed Networks honors Wolk as Champion of Watersheds, Wetlands, and our Coast. April 2004.
- California League of Conservation Voters awards Wolk 100 percent on its 2003 legislative scorecard for votes. March 2004.
- Housing California awards Wolk 100 percent on 2003 legislative scorecard for votes on 15 key affordable housing and homeless bills. February 2004.
- Soroptomists International of Dixon honors Wolk with its Woman of Distinction Award. 2004.
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholarship Fund, honors Wolk with its Outstanding Elected Official Award. January 2004.
- Solano County Sikh Community honors Wolk with its Community Appreciation Award. September 2003.
- Coalition of Tobacco Free Campaigns honors Wolk with its CA Smoke Free Award for her commitment to the health of all California. February 2003.
- California State Association of Counties honors Wolk with for her support to CA counties and continued service to the state of California. February 2003.
- Yolo County Concilio Board honors Wolk with its Board of Directors Award. October 2002.
- Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center honors Wolk with its Peace Begins at Home Award. April 2002.
- Davis Professional Firefighters Local 3494 recognizes Wolk for her commitment to the needs of working men and women within the city of Davis and for her vision of a better future for the citizens of the city. June 1998.
- Putah Creek Council honors Wolk with its Putah Creek Keeper award. 1998.
- Soroptomists International honors Wolk with its Woman of Distinction Award. 1995.
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