Capitol-Updates

Review of the Draft 2023/2024 $291B California Budget Governor Newsom presented representing a deficit of >$37B. The Budget analyst, however, is saying $68 billion deficit.

SB838, as introduced, Menjivar. Victim compensation: use of force by a law enforcement officer. Existing law provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation Board from the Restitution Fund

The California Legislature reconvened on January 3, 2024 and introduced more than 100 new bills.  They are also working on consideration of Governor vetoed bills that occurred in late 2023.

California Legislature Starts January 3, 2024. The California legislature is about to start a new session.  Although the system appears chaotic, their schedule is defined and detailed below. 

Some New laws in California that go into effect on January 1, 2024. CAMPING This new law was meant to increase access to California's public parks and beaches by promoting responsible reservation practices.

AB 873 (Berman) Pupil Instruction: Media literacy: curriculum frameworks This bill was signed by the Governor on October 13. Existing law establishes the Instructional Quality Commission and requires the commission to, among other things, recommend curriculum frameworks to the State Board of Education.

SB 770 State Senator Weiner – Signed into law by Governor Newsom  This is a short bill with very big implications. 

AB 873 (Berman) Pupil Instruction: Media literacy: curriculum frameworks This bill was signed by the Governor on October 13.  Existing law establishes the Instructional Quality Commission and requires the commission to, among other things, recommend curriculum frameworks

OUR EARLY INFORMATION ON MARCH 5, 2024, Statewide Ballot Measures. California Proposition 1, Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure (March 2024).

AS PROMISED IN CAPITOL UPDATE #34 AND OUR ACTION ALERT: OUR UPDATE ON ACA 1 and ACA 13. These bills (Constitutional Amendments) want to change voter approval thresholds from 2/3 to 55%.

OUR REVIEW OF SIGNED AND VETOED BILLS FOR 2023 CONTINUES: AB 223 by Assembly Member Chris Ward (D Coronado) Change of gender and sex identifier. This bill was signed by the Governor on September 23, 2023.

The governor has completed his bill review by the required October 14th deadline and has left California for interesting travels to Israel and China.