PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

AB 976 - Coastal Protection
AB 976 gives the California Coastal Commission the power to levy penalties against those who disregard orders to stop violations of the California Coastal Act, such as blocking public access to beaches, damaging environmentally sensitive habitats, or unauthorized development. Currently, the Commission can only pursue enforcement through the courts, leaving many violations against our beaches, oceans, wetlands, and wildlife to continue during this lengthy and expensive process.

AB 425 - Copper Paint Water Pollution
AB 425 requires the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to evaluate whether to make copper-based anti-fouling boat hull paint subject to increased state oversight and how best to mitigate its harmful effects. Copper paint contains toxic chemicals that keep boat hulls free of damaging organisms like barnacles and algae, but also foul the water and endanger aquatic life.

AB 572 - Energy Efficiency
AB 572 creates a pilot program that provides financing for commercial buildings and schools to install upgrades that reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING

AB 952 - Tax Credits for Special Needs Housing
AB 952 expands the state's low-income tax credit programs to increase the funding available to projects that entirely serve a special needs population, such as the homeless.

AB 1229 - Inclusionary Housing
AB 1229 restores the ability of local jurisdictions to require that a portion of any housing development be affordable for low and moderate income residents, a program known as inclusionary housing. While many jurisdictions had such requirements in the past, a court ruling left local inclusionary housing policies in a gray area. This bill allows local governments to again implement a program that is key to ensuring affordable housing, while avoiding the legal issues raised by the court case.

SB 391 - Funding for Affordable Housing
I am a principal co-author of SB 391, Senator Mark DeSaulnier's California Home and Jobs Act of 2013, which replaces funding for affordable housing eliminated by the dissolution of the state's redevelopment programs. SB 391 will generate $500 million in housing funds and 29,000 jobs each year through a small fee on nonresidential real estate transactions.

AB 226 - School Savings
AB 226 allows police officers working for the San Diego Unified School District to work flexible schedules without violating overtime regulations. The officers prefer the flexible schedules and the school district saves money, which can be invested in meeting student needs.

AB 662 - Replacing Redevelopment
AB 662 is designed to serve as a vehicle for new economic and community development programs to replace the best parts of the recently eliminated redevelopment program. As chair of the Assembly Working Group on Redevelopment, I am committed to working with my legislative colleagues to create new ways to create jobs, foster economic growth and create environmentally sustainable communities. The details of AB 662 will be developed through consultation with communities and my legislative colleagues.

HEALTH

AB 471 - Increased Care for the Frail and Elderly
AB 471 expands the Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE.) This Medi-Cal program provides coordinated and integrated health services for frail, elderly, low income people and enables them to avoid nursing home care. Even though the program has proven effective, current law only allows for fifteen PACE programs statewide.

AB 670 - Pharmacist Substitutions
AB 670 strengthens consumer and patient protections by eliminating financial incentives for pharmacists to substitute another drug for one that has been prescribed. Often, these substitute drugs are less medically desirable than the ones originally prescribed.

AB 154 - Increased Access to Early Abortion
AB 154 expands the categories of health care providers who may provide early abortion services to include nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and nurse-midwives. The bill is intended to address the shortage of abortion providers that leads to burdensome travel requirements and long wait times for women, who can end up requiring a more complicated and expensive procedure if too much time passes. The bill requires rigorous training and competency standards.

MILITARY FAMILIES

AB 163 - Military Thrift Shops
AB 163 extends the sales and use tax exemption currently available to Navy Marine Corps Relief Society thrift shops on military bases. These volunteer operated shops raise funds for services for military families, including financial literacy and emergency financial assistance for active and retired members of the Navy and the Marines.

EQUALITY

AB 1121 - Transgender Identity Documents
AB 1121 eliminates the expense and hurdles associated with ensuring that a transgender person's birth and death certificates accurately reflect their gender identity. Current law requires a costly and cumbersome judicial process for amending vital records. This bill creates an alternative administrative process through the State Registrar's office.

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