I’m excited to share some news from Sacramento as we have now wrapped up the 2024 legislative session. This year has seen the passage of several critical pieces of legislation that represent significant progress in key areas impacting our communities, including environmental protections, AI advancements, reproductive health services, and mental health in our education system.
Here’s a summary of my bills that have been signed into law, along with a number that are still awaiting Governor Newsom’s signature.
Protecting from AI Image Exploitation - AB 1836 - Protects artists and performers from post-mortem exploitation by artificial intelligence. SIGNED!
Mitigating Microplastics - AB 2214 - Establishes an interagency coordination group to focus on the mitigation of microplastics. Vetoed
Small Employer Family Leave - AB 2011 - Removes the sunset on the small employer family leave mediation program and makes it permanent. SIGNED!
Ensuring Menopause Equity - AB 2467 - Requires perimenopause and menopause treatment to be included within health insurance coverage. Awaiting Governor Action
Dignified Care of Incarcerated Pregnancy - AB 2527 - Improves conditions for incarcerated pregnant people in state prisons by requiring access to a minimum of 120 ounces of clean bottled water each day, providing daily high-quality meals in alignment with relevant Department of Health guidelines, and limiting the placement of pregnant people in solitary confinement during pregnancy and up to 12 weeks postpartum. Awaiting Governor Action
Suicide Prevention Training - AB 3010 - Requires that when the Instructional Quality Commission next revises the Health Education Framework for California Public Schools, the Commission consider including information on evidence-based school wide programs to support pupils in developing skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation to improve student mental health. SIGNED!
Fairness Act - AB 2837 - Protects low-income consumers subject to a debt collection judgment by preserving their retirement savings account and ensuring due process. Awaiting Governor Action
Protecting Against Water Theft - AB 460 - Increases the penalties for certain violations of cease and desist orders and curtailment orders issued by the State Water Resources Control Board to stop water theft. SIGNED!
Safeguarding Personal Information - AB 1008 - Clarifies that personal information, as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), is considered to be personal information regardless of how it is transmitted or stored – including in the model weights of an artificial intelligence system that is capable of outputting personal information. Awaiting Governor Action
Transparency in Seed Treatment – AB 1042 - Requires that pesticide treated seeds sold in California are labeled with the amount of pesticide treatment applied. SIGNED!
Utility Notification - AB 3062 - Allows fire districts to opt-in to mandate that electric utility companies notify their local fire districts via phone and email at least 24 hours before conducting a controlled burn. Awaiting Governor Action
California Promise: Finish in Four and Through in Two - AB 1205 - Renames the California Promise Program (Program) established at the California State University (CSU) as the Finish in Four and Through in Two Program. It further requires CSU campuses to promote the Program and establishes an annual reporting requirement. Lastly, the measure eliminates the Program's January 1, 2026, sunset date, thereby extending the Program indefinitely at CSU campuses. Awaiting Governor Action
Penalties for Underage Tobacco Sales - AB 2021 - Protects kids by raising the penalties for tobacco sellers who illegally sell tobacco-based products to people under the age of 21. SIGNED!
Clinic Access and Streamlining - AB 2085 - Streamlines zoning for reproductive healthcare clinics to expand access. Awaiting Governor Action
Protecting Reproductive Health Clinics - AB 2099 - Protects abortion care by increasing penalties for harassing reproductive patients and providers. Awaiting Governor Action
These bills represent a significant step forward in addressing some of California's most pressing challenges and advancing our collective goals. I look forward to seeing their positive impact locally and across our state. As we move into the 2025 legislative session in January, I encourage you to utilize the California Legislative Information database to follow bills of interest.
In addition to the bills above, I also strongly championed SB 1374, which updates California’s net energy metering policies. This law enhances incentives for residential and commercial solar energy systems, expands net energy metering credits, and streamlines the interconnection process. This is a major step forward in boosting renewable energy adoption and supporting a sustainable energy grid. I know how important rooftop solar is to so many in our community. SB 1374 is critical to reaching California’s climate sustainability goals and is now pending on the Governor’s desk.
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, I’d like to mention the work I’ve been doing advocating for reduced electricity rates and stabilizing the homeowner’s insurance market. I introduced several bills to protect ratepayers from out-of-control utility rate increases and to put an end to the revolving door between regulators and the industry. I regret that I was not successful getting these bills passed, but I am not giving up.
Regarding the insurance non-renewal crisis, I’m continuing to press the Insurance Commissioner to move forward as quickly as possible with his Sustainable Insurance Strategy and modernizing the FAIR Plan. Addressing this crisis requires comprehensive reform and innovative strategies to stabilize the market, ensure fair pricing, and enhance accessibility for all Californians. As your Assemblymember, this issue is top of mind and I’m continuing to advocate for the comprehensive reforms we need now.
Thank you again for your continued engagement; I truly value your input. It is an honor to represent you in Sacramento.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
Assemblymember, 16th District