SACRAMENTO — Three pieces of legislation being carried by first-term State Assemblymember Das Williams (D- Santa Barbara) are currently awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s signature after successfully navigating the legislative process in both the Assembly and Senate.
Those bills, AB 412, AB 623 and AB 504 each stand to benefit entities within the Assemblymember’s district, which currently includes part of Oxnard, Ventura and much of Santa Barbara County.
AB 412: This piece of district-specific legislation re-authorizes Santa Barbara County to collect an additional $5 penalty assessment on tickets issued for driving under the influence and other driving while intoxicated offenses to fund emergency medical services in Santa Barbara County.
“So many emergency rooms in our area have closed down, it is vital for the safety for each of us, to adequately fund those emergency rooms that remain,” Assemblymember Williams said.
AB 504: This bill would allow Santa Barbara School Districts to continue to receive local, voter-approved parcel taxes upon unification of their Elementary and Secondary School Districts. Once law, this bill also allows the school district to continue to levy existing and future parcel taxes as they do now, so that residents only contribute to pay for those schools that serve their community as they do now.
“This proposed law would ensure that SBSD does not lose funds that are essential for our children’s education,” Williams added.
AB 623: This proposed legislation would authorize the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to issue a new off-sale retail wine license that would allow entrepreneurs who do not have a physical store to sell wine directly to consumers.
“I feel as if these bills are useful to people in my district and beyond,” Assemblymember Das Williams said. “I am honored to be able to work on these types of bills that support public safety, education and business.”
Other bills to keep an eye on:
AB 438: This bill would provide taxpayers the right to important information about any proposal to privatize local free libraries. The proposed legislation would require a city or library district that intends to employ a private contractor to provide public notice, demonstrate cost savings for the duration of the contract, competitive bidding, proven qualifications of the contractor, protections from involuntary employee displacement and future performance and financial audits.
Up for a vote on the Senate floor
AB 1303: This bill proposes extending the sunset date from 2012 to 2020 on the Public Goods Charge for public interest energy activities and the programs funded by the Renewable Resources Trust Fund (RRTF).
Working with Governor’s Office and other lawmakers as part of California Jobs First Initiative
