Education

AB 2255 Adult Education
This bill requires that the California High School Exit Exam (CASHEE) be offered on Saturday to accommodate the schedule of Adult Education Students who often work during the regularly scheduled exams. In 2004, 49% of adult education students who took the CAHSEE in 2004 failed, in part due to an unaccommodating CAHSEE schedule. AB 2255 will help more students enrolled in adult education programs to pass the CAHSEE by giving much needed flexibility to both school districts and students.

This bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 2813 Cal Grants
Assembly Bill 2813 addresses an inequity within Cal Grants so that students are given the opportunity they have been promised in our Master Plan for Higher. All California students, particularly those from low income families should be able to go college if they chose to, no student should be turned away simply because of costs. AB 2813 simply modifies the age cap limitation for Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement awards from 24 to 27 years to reflect the average age of students seeking a college degree in California. The average age of a Cal State University applicant is currently 25 years old. Modifying the age limits makes more aid available to previously nontraditional students (working, part-time students, parents) and those from underserved populations.

This bill was signed into law.

Health Care

AB 2607: Managed Care
States the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to authorize the establishment of a demonstration project to expand Medi-Cal managed care to persons with disabilities in two-plan model counties.   

The bill was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 2870: Assaults: Testing for Communicable Diseases
Expands the coverage of the testing of defendants and inmates to include other communicable diseases beyond HIV, which is covered under existing law, following a physical assault of state or local law enforcement personnel or other individuals who have been potentially exposed to such communicable diseases. Existing law does not provide for testing for communicable diseases.

This bill was signed into law.

Immigration

AB 2060 Naturalization Services Program
Currently, there are 2.9 million legal immigrants in California who are eligible to naturalize.  AB 2060 puts more money into the Naturalization Services Program, which funds programs that offer citizenship and civic participation classes, English language classes, and help for legal residents that are trying to naturalize.  Not only does the individual benefit, but the State is able to draw additional federal dollars.

This bill was signed into law.

Public Safety

AB 2465 Traffic Fines in School Zones
This bill allows cities and counties to double fines for traffic violations committed in and around school zones in order to create a safer environment for children on their way to and from school. In the past, the state has created pilot programs to allow specific cities or counties to create double fine zones around schools. This bill would allow any city or county in the state to create double fine zones to ensure kids have a safe route to school.

The bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 1664 Illegal Fireworks
Illegal fireworks cause life threatening injuries and burden our public safety officials with the dangerous job of disposing of these toxic materials.  This bill increases the fines for illegal firework possession.  In addition, it makes a motor vehicle subject to impound and storage when illegal fireworks are transported without a valid permit or license.

The bill was held in the Revenues and Taxation Committee.

Good Government

AB 1883 Workers' Compensation: Proof of Coverage
This bill establishes a workers' compensation enforcement-of-coverage program designed to detect unlawfully uninsured employers. It further requires the state to establish and maintain a website to assist any person wishing to determine an employer's workers' compensation coverage. Public access protects workers from a lack of workers’ compensation coverage, while lawfully insured employers are protected from competitive disadvantages from uninsured employers. Insurers could use the information to determine if another insurance company is liable in certain claims. Furthermore, taxpayers save money by reducing the need of injured workers to use public programs.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor.

AB 1986 Projects – Cal State Universities
This bill defines California State University projects under the sole and direct control of the trustees to include any project undertaken by any private foundation or entity that is established by the CSU system or by any of the campuses. Some CSU campuses have established non-profit foundations to take the lead on construction and building projects in order to shield the projects from competitive bidding requirements.

This bill was signed into law.

AB 2753 – Recalls
When local city council members are removed from office via a recall, they should not be able to spend local funds on behalf of their respective cities. The bill would prohibit the recalled council member from participating in any action that would commit local city funds.

 This bill was signed into law.

Infrastructure

AB 2584: Homeland Security
Any state or local agencies conducting emergency or disaster preparedness exercises relating to an infectious disease outbreak must establish a process to identify deficiencies and track the implementation of corrective actions to ensure that desired improvements are made. Specifically, the agencies must establish written procedures for following up on recommendations identified in after-action reports and prepare after-action reports within 90 days of an exercise.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor.

AB 2882 Orangeline Development Authority
The bill would maximize state funds to ensure adequate investment in important transportation projects in California. Specifically, the bill would allow any local agency or other entity of local government that has authority to issue bonds to request a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account, and execute the necessary documents to obtain and repay the loan.

This bill was signed into law.

Working Families

AB 2576 California Alternative Rates for Energy, or CARE
This bill extends eligibility for help with electricity and gas bills to people with incomes up to 250% of poverty level.  This means that individuals whose incomes are lower than $23,925, families of two whose incomes are lower than $32,075, and families of three whose incomes are under $40,225 will be eligible for CARE. The income limit increases for each additional family member.  An increase in eligibility will provide much needed help with gas and electric bills that can be very expensive and burdensome for families. 

 This bill was signed into law.

AB 2907: Electrician Certification
This bill makes changes to the educational requirements and timelines of the certification process for apprentice electricians.  As a result, additional apprenticeship institutions will be allowed to present their curriculum for approval resulting in additional opportunities for students to complete the requirements for certification

This bill was signed into law.