SACRAMENTO, CA –Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) announced that eight of his authored bills have passed out of the Legislature and have been sent to Governor Newsom's desk for his signature. The Governor has until October 14th to sign or veto these measures.
"From protecting the environment and increasing consumer protections, to expanding mental health care, assisting nonprofits and improving local disaster response, this legislative package will improve the quality of life for the residents of the Central Coast and all Californians," said Assemblymember Hart. "I'm excited to have both authored and successfully passed these bills through the legislative process in my first year as a Member of the California Assembly."
Supporting Nonprofits: Assembly Bill 590 provides nonprofits with access to advance payments when they are awarded State grants and contracts. By removing a significant funding barrier that prevented many small, local nonprofits from accessing state funds, this bill ensures more nonprofits organizations can receive state grants and perform the critically needed work in our communities.
Protecting Communities from Oil Spills: Assembly Bill 631 ensures California has the necessary, modern enforcement tools to protect communities from oil industry operators that violate the law, endanger public health, and threaten the environment by bringing civil penalties up-to-date.
Consumer Protections for Homeowners: Assembly Bill 1345 protects homeowners against predatory real estate contracts that entice sellers with cash up front in exchange for restrictive, decades-long exclusive real estate listing agreements that are enforced by liens on a homeowner's property.
Increasing Recycling: Assembly Bill 1548 boosts recycling by expanding grants to cities and counties for advanced recycling equipment and food recovery programs. This bill will help California meet its ambitious recycling goals.
Remote Meetings during Emergencies: Assembly Bill 557 allows local governments to conduct meetings remotely during Governor-declared State emergencies to ensure essential community services get to the people who need help.
Traffic Infraction Equity: Assembly Bill 1125 protects Californians who miss a single traffic fine installment plan payment from having their driver's license suspended.
Mental Health Access: Assembly Bill 1412 allows defendants diagnosed with borderline personality disorder to receive the necessary mental health treatment through pretrial diversion programs to increase rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.
Governor Newsom has already signed Assemblymember Hart's Assembly Bill 584, which ensures local agencies can expeditiously clean up our roads, trails and oceans during natural disasters by expanding emergency permitting by the Coastal Commission.
The Governor has until October 14th to sign or veto legislation.
Gregg Hart represents the California Assembly's 37th Assembly District, which includes Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Buellton, Solvang, Lompoc, Guadalupe, Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Nipomo. Assemblymember Hart currently serves as the California Assembly's Assistant Majority Leader under Speaker Robert Rivas.
CONTACT: Jimmy Wittrock, (916) 319-2037