Bill to Reduce Plastic in Oceans Passes Assembly Natural Resources Committee

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Created on Thursday, 02 May 2013 16:41

(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation designed to provide a comprehensive solution to the plastic debris that threatens the California coastline has passed a key Assembly policy committee. AB 521, authored by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) and Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), was approved by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on a 5-3 vote.

“Plastic trash hurts our oceans and beaches in a significant and permanent way. It also wastes taxpayers’ money, burdens local governments – and is a preventable cause of pollution,” said Stone. “This bill will address the problem at its source.”

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Assembly Committee Approves Stone Legislation To Protect Drinking Water

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Created on Tuesday, 16 April 2013 09:28

April 16, 2013 (SACRAMENTO) – The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee has approved legislation by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) to create a reliable, stable funding source to provide long-term safe drinking water infrastructure as well as short-term solutions for communities impacted by nitrate contamination.  AB 467 would establish the Freshwater Protection Fund in the State Treasury, under the administration of the State Water Resource Control Board.  The bill passed out on a bipartisan vote of 6 to 1.

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Stone coauthors bill repealing State Responsibility Area fire fee and creating comprehensive disaster aid fund

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Created on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 11:37

April 10, 2013 (SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) has joined Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D – North Coast) in calling for a new Disaster Management, Preparedness and Assistance Fund to provide funding for several state emergency response agencies.  Assembly Bill 468 would establish the fund and would also repeal the State Responsibility Area (SRA) fire fee.

“I’m pleased to co-author this critical measure, which will secure necessary resources for our communities to respond to disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis.  These funds will directly help keep Californians and their property safe,” said Stone.

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Finding New Ways to Address Poverty in California

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Created on Thursday, 14 March 2013 09:25

(Sacramento) - Assemblymember Mark Stone, Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, recently led a special hearing to take a close look at new ways to assess and address poverty in California. According to data released by the US Census Bureau (the Supplemental Poverty Measure), California is the poorest state in the country. Under the new measurement, nearly one-quarter of the people in California live in poverty. Assemblymember Stone said during the hearing, "It's essential that we take these findings into account as we try to find ways to reduce poverty in our state." Here's more in this Assembly Access video.

Stone Announces Fracking Bill to Regulate Contaminated Wastewater

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Created on Tuesday, 26 February 2013 14:32

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) has announced legislation to keep communities' water supply safe by ensuring that wastewater used in oil and gas drilling is disposed of properly. AB 669 would provide appropriate governmental oversight and monitoring of wastewater produced during fracking and other oil and gas drilling operations.

"Fracking potentially exposes Californians' water supply to toxic chemicals. Currently, there's little governmental oversight to ensure that our groundwater supply doesn't get contaminated by the large volume of toxic wastewater fracking produces," said Stone. "My bill would address this shortcoming in the law and would help protect the public's health."

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Stone To Chair Select Committee On Coastal Protection

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Created on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 13:25

February 12, 2013 (SACRAMENTO) – Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez has appointed Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) to serve as the Chair of the newly convened Assembly Select Committee on Coastal Protection.

“If the state is to continue to benefit from its world-class coastal resources that support its $43 billion coastal economy, it must focus its attention now on the numerous threats the coast currently faces,” said Stone.  “This committee will delve into these issues, and will work to find solutions.”

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Former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone Takes Oath as New Assemblymember for 29th Assembly District

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Created on Monday, 03 December 2012 16:33

(SACRAMENTO)—Mark Stone (D-Santa Cruz), a former Santa Cruz Couny Supervisor, California Coastal Commissioner and a previous president of the Scotts Valley Unified School District, was sworn in today as the Assemblymember for the 29th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Monterey, Marina, Pacific Grove, Sand City, Seaside, Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and a portion of San Jose. The ceremony was held on the Assembly Floor at the State Capitol at noon.

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