Economic Development and Relief:
AB 1657, Blue Ribbon Commission on Lithium Extraction in California (E. Garcia): requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to establish and convene the Blue Ribbon Commission on Lithium Extraction in California, with 14 members appointed by a combination of the CEC, other state agencies, Assembly Speaker, and Senate Committee on Rules.
AB 2663, Sale of Dimethyl Ether Fuel Blend (E. Garcia): enables retail sale of dimethyl ether (DME)-propane fuel blend. Authorizes owners or operators of DME or DME-propane fuel blend powered vehicles, except interstate users, to pay the flat rate fuel tax.
AB 1525, Cannabis Financial Institutions (Jones-Sawyer/ E. Garcia): clarifies that no state law prohibits an entity from providing financial services, as specified, to a licensed cannabis business. Permits a cannabis business to authorize a state regulatory agency to share the business' track-and-trace data with financial institutions.
Protections for Farmworkers and Rural Communities:
AB 2043, Agricultural Workplace Health & Safety Act (Rivas/E. Garcia): directs the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CALOSHA) to disseminate information on best practices regarding COVID-19 infection prevention to agricultural employees by conducting a targeted outreach campaign in conjunction with community and employee organizations and to compile and report on its website information regarding investigations in agriculture of COVID-19 safety practices or conditions, as well as injuries and illnesses related to COVID-19.
AB 2165, E-Filing and Rural Access to Justice Act (Rivas/E. Garcia): clarifies procedures governing electronic filing of court documents, with specific attention paid to filing fees, allocation of costs, consistency of requirements between courts, notices to filers, statutes of limitations, and methods for signing documents. This bill expands access to judicial services by increasing the availability of electronic filing in state trial courts.
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health:
AB 2112, Office of Suicide Prevention (Ramos/E. Garcia): authorizes the Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish the Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) to among other functions, provide information and technical assistance to statewide and regional partners regarding best practices on suicide prevention policies and programs and conduct and convene experts and stakeholders to encourage collaboration and coordination of resources for suicide prevention. Provides that if OSP is established, DPH may focus resources on groups with the highest risk, including the youth and Native Americans.
Public Safety:
AB 1196, Peace Officers Use of Force – Carotid Restraint Holds and Choke Holds (Gipson/E. Garcia): prohibits law enforcement agencies from authorizing carotid restraint holds and choke holds.
AB 901, Juvenile Justice (Gipson/E. Garcia): repeals the jurisdiction of the juvenile criminal court over minors who habitually refuse to obey the reasonable and proper orders or directions of school authorities. Requires a peace officer to refer a minor who habitually refuses to obey the reasonable and proper orders of the minor's parents or has four or more truancies within one school year to a community-based resource, the probation department, a health agency, a local educational agency, or other governmental entities that may provide services.
AB 2147, Second Chances to Inmate Fire Crews (Reyes/E. Garcia): allows a defendant who successfully participated in the California Conservation Camp Program (Fire Camp) or a county incarcerated individual hand crew to petition for a dismissal of their conviction.
Veterans:
AB 408, Disabled Veterans Vehicle License Plate (Frazier/E. Garcia): requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to accept a certificate certifying a veteran is disabled for the purpose of a disability license plate from a County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) or the Department of Veteran Affairs (CalVet).
AB 2141, Veterans Commercial Driver’s License Tests (Mathis/ E. Garcia): would exempt specified veterans from certain commercial driver’s license (CDL) tests. Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to exempt specified veterans from certain commercial driver’s license (CDL) tests.
Budget:
$28 M - The New River Improvement Project, Calexico: $18 million coming from the General Fund, and $10 million from Proposition 68.
$19.25 M - The North Lake Project, Salton Sea Management Plan: Proposition 68 funds for habitat and air quality improvement along the receding shoreline.
$50 M - Air Pollution Control Fund: implementation of Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia and Cristina Garcia’s AB 617, Community Air Protection Program. Imperial Valley and the Eastern Coachella Valley are currently AB 617 grant eligible areas.
$25 M - UC Riverside School of Medicine: expand enrollment and increase operational support.
