2011 Legislative Accomplishments
SB 698 – Workforce Development Funds
As California faces the toughest jobs crisis in over 50 years, high-quality employment services that connect workers with good paying jobs are crucial for California’s economic recovery. SB 698 creates additional financial incentives for local workforce investment boards to train workers for jobs that are available in their communities while also increasing performance standards for these boards. The goal of SB 698 is to connect workers with good paying jobs.
Status: Enrolled to the Governor
SB 702 – Pet Microchipping
Every year, animal shelters in California impound over 1 million dogs and cats. Tragically, more than half of these animals have to be euthanized because they could not be reunited with their owners, which also costs taxpayers as much as $300 million every year. SB 702 helps to reunite lost pets with their owners by requiring all pets to be microchipped with the owner’s contact information when they are reunited or adopted from a shelter. Many low cost and free microchip clinics are available for pet owners by animal shelters, veterinarians, and nonprofit rescue groups.
Status: Enrolled to the Governor
SB 746 – Tanning and Cancer Prevention
The science is clear: tanning beds cause cancer. Doctors, pediatricians, dermatologists, scientists, insurers and health organizations recommend governments prohibit all children from using ultra-violet tanning beds. SB 746 reduces the occurrence of melanoma, one of the most deadly skin cancers, by prohibiting children under the age of 18 from using ultra violet tanning beds.
Status: Enrolled to the Governor
SB 757 – Insurance Equality for Domestic Partners
Despite California’s law to prohibit discriminatory insurance policy coverage to LGBT Californians, some out-of-state health insurers are refusing to insure these hard-working Californians and their families. SB 757 closes an important insurance loophole for domestic partners and spouses of LGBT Californians by requiring all health insurance policies issued to someone in California to be subject to the state’s equal coverage law.
Status: Enrolled to the Governor
SB 759 – Water Conservation – Vetoed by the Governor
Landscape irrigation makes up 70 percent of an average household’s water use, with some lawns using 46 gallons of water per square foot per year. Unfortunately, many homeowners associations prohibit the use of waterless alternatives for landscaping. SB 759 provides homeowners with the flexibility to use waterless grass to help conserve water and lower their utility bill.
Status: Vetoed by the Governor; read the Governor’s veto message
SB 857 – Protecting the Right to Strike
A recent administrative decision undermined a worker’s fundamental rights to strike. This decision found that an employer could be entitled to damages even when no actual strike occurred. SB 857 restores this administrative over-reach and helps ensure that workers have the right to strike for better working conditions and fair pay.
Status: Enrolled to the Governor
SB 888 – Funeral Protest Restrictions – Vetoed by the Governor
Funerals are times when family members and friends pay respect and mourn their loved ones in a private and peaceful manner. Unfortunately, there are despicable groups and individuals who attempt to disrupt these services for selfish political gain. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that funeral protesters have the right to express their opinions but also reaffirmed the government’s ability to restrict those protesters. SB 888 protects these sacred events by imposing time and place restriction for funeral protests.
Status: Vetoed by the Governor; read the Governor’s veto message
SB 917 – Curbing Animal Abuse and Neglect – Signed into Law
California’s parking lots and sidewalks are places where people often try to sell their litters of puppies and kittens, but purchasing these animals can create serious problems as these pets may not be healthy, leaving little recourse for the unsuspecting consumer. SB 917 prohibits the practice of selling puppies and kittens in parking lots and sidewalks throughout California but does not prohibit anyone from giving pets away for free or selling them on private property. SB 917 also conforms California’s penalties for animal neglect with the penalties for animal abuse.
Status: Signed by the Governor, Chapter 131 of 2011