Myriad issues and rapid-fire decisions
Important legislation up for final votes include ‘sanctuary state,’ gender ID, renewable energy bills
SACRAMENTO » Closely watched legislation on immigration, health care and renewable energy are among hundreds of bills that will face a lightning round of votes in the Capitol on Friday, with fiscal committees in the Assembly and Senate deciding in rapid succession whether the measures will advance to a final vote or face a quick death.
It’s common for big bills to wind up in an appropriations committee’s “suspense file” because they would require spending state funds. If bills survive Friday’s votes by the powerful panels, the legislators carrying the measures have two weeks remaining in the legislative session to get their measures passed. Gov. Jerry Brown will then have until Oct. 15 to sign or veto the bills.
Here’s a look at some of the bills whose fate could be decided by week’s end:
Sanctuary state. Senate Bill 54, by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, would essentially make California a “sanctuary state” by preventing local and state law enforcement from using state resources to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement officers. The measure was introduced less than a month
after the election of President Donald Trump, who promised to crack down on illegal immigration. De León’s bill has faced strong opposition from the association representing California sheriffs.
Too harsh a punishment for the undocumented? Assembly Bill 222, by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D- San Fernando, would attempt to repeal a provision of Proposition 187, a constitutional amendment passed by California voters in 1994. Although most of Proposition 187 was struck down by federal judges, one provison survived that made it a fel- ony to manufacture or distribute false documents to conceal someone’s immigration status or to use false documents for that purpose. Voters would be asked to approve the changes in the November 2020 election. Bocanegra has argued that the provision is too harsh.
100 percent renewable by 2045: Senate Bill 100, also by de León, would make California the second state, after Hawaii, to commit to 100 percent renewable energy and zero- carbon sources for electricity generation by 2045. The goal by 2030 would be 60 percent, rather than the current 50 percent.
Buy cleaner: Assembly Bill 262, by Assembly members Rob Bonta, DOakland, Susan Talaman- tes Eggman, D- Stockton, and Marc Steinorth, RRancho Cucamonga, the Buy Clean California Act, would require successful bidders on state public works projects to certify that the global-warming potential of the materials they will use for the project meets a statewide minimum standard — the industry average or cleaner. It also would allow state agencies, California State University and the University of California to set even higher standards.
Legal documents, a 21st Century makeover: Senate Bill 179, by Sen. Toni Atkins, D- San Diego, would create a third gender designation — “nonbinary” — on drivers licenses and birth certificates for those who don’t identify as be- ing male or female. It also would also further simplify the process through which a transgender person must go to have their gender changed on official documents. Meanwhile, Assembly Bill 82, Assemblyman Jose Medina, D-Riverside, would require the accurate recording of accents, tildes and other diacritical marks on names listed on birth certificates, death certificates and marriage licenses.
Traffic tickets and license suspensions: Senate Bill 185, by Sen. Robert Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, would stop the automatic suspension of drivers’ licenses of those who failed to pay fees or fines for minor traffic tickets. He argues that the punishment is too harsh, and that it can cause someone’s life to spiral down.
Closing time: Senate Bill 384, by Sen. Scott Wiener, D- San Francisco, and Sen. Joel Anderson, R-El Cajon, would allow some bars and restaurants to serve alcohol as late as 4 a.m. Closing time statewide is now 2 a.m.
Daylight Saving Time: Assembly Bill 807, the legislation by Assemblyman Kansen Chu, D- San Jose, to stop the twice- annual changing of the clocks. After an outcry from summer-night lovers, the bill morphed into an effort to urge Congress to allow states to keep Daylight Saving Time all year long, rather than just eight months a year.
New staffing rules for dialysis clinics: Senate Bill 349, by Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, is hotly debated legislation that would establish minimum staffing requirements at dialysis clinics as well as mandatory transition times between patients.
Cell tower debate: Senate Bill 649, by Sen. Ben Hueso, D- Chula Vista, would make it easier for companies to install cell tower equipment — for the next generation of broadband internet service — on utility poles and public buildings, removing some of the approval and regulatory authority of cities and counties. Local governments oppose the bill, as do groups concerned about health risks from the radiation.