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California Advances Bill Banning Hedge Fund Water Profiteering

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California lawmakers advanced a bill that would prohibit hedge funds and other institutional investors from buying and selling agricultural water resources for financial gain.

Under the measure, which passed the State Assembly by a 46 to 17 vote on Monday afternoon, speculation or profiteering by investment funds in the sale, transfer or lease of water rights on agricultural land would be considered a waste or unreasonable use of water.

Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan’s Bill to Protect Reproductive and Sexual Health Information Passes the Assembly

AB 254 protects confidential personal data collected by apps and websites used by individuals for menstrual tracking, and for other reproductive and sexual health

Sacramento CA – Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan’s (D-Orinda) AB 254 has passed the Assembly floor with bipartisan support. The bill ensures the privacy and security of individuals' information when they opt to use apps and websites that provide reproductive and sexual health services.

Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan’s Statement on May Revise Budget

Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) Chair of the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee, statement on the May revise budget

“The governor’s budget has shown California is facing a tough situation, with nearly $32 billion in deficit. I appreciate the governor proposing that we maintain education funding and thrilled at the critical increase in funding for flood resilience. However, there are serious gaps for youth mental health, transportation, and climate that need to be prioritized.

Editorial: California lacks enforceable water rights system

Bills would give the state greater authority to manage and address waste and illegal water use
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California’s inability to prevent illegal and wasteful use of its water supply is more annoying than a leaky faucet. And far more costly.

When water is illegally diverted, it severely reduces the amount available to urban and agricultural users throughout the state. But the state Water Resources Control Board lacks the tools needed to enforce water rights and protect the limited supply.

How California and other states are tackling AI legislation

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Last week, California State Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan introduced a bill to combat algorithmic discrimination in the use of automated tools that make consequential decisions. And California is not alone—a new wave of state legislation is taking on artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, raising key questions about how best to design and implement these laws.