Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan Celebrates Productive Legislative Session with Fifteen Bills Signed into Law

[Sacramento] – Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) is proud to announce the successful passage of numerous key bills during the 2024 legislative session, addressing critical issues ranging from increasing water theft penalties to protecting reproductive rights, ensuring consumer privacy, and advancing AI regulations.

"I’m thrilled by the progress we’ve made this year to enhance protections for California residents, secure equity in healthcare, and safeguard the environment,” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “The bills we passed reflect the needs of our communities and ensure that our laws keep pace with the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

The following bills authored by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan have been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom:

• AB 460 – Penalties for Water Theft: Strengthens penalties for illegal water diversion to protect California's precious water resources.
• AB 1008 – California Consumer Privacy Act: Expands protections under the CCPA to include AI to ensure stronger consumer privacy rights.
• AB 1042 – Pesticide Transparency for Seeds: Requires transparency in the use of pesticides on seeds, benefiting farmers and protecting consumers.
• AB 1205 – California State Universities: California Promise: Expands the California Promise program to improve on-time graduation rates.
• AB 1836 – Protecting from AI Image Exploitation: Safeguards artists and performers from posthumous exploitation by artificial intelligence.
• AB 2011 – Small Employer Family Leave: Makes permanent the small employer family leave mediation program, supporting small businesses and families.
• AB 2021 – Penalties for Underage Tobacco Sales: Protects minors by increasing penalties for retailers who sell tobacco products to underage individuals.
• AB 2085 – Clinic Access and Streamlining: Expands access to healthcare by streamlining zoning requirements for reproductive health clinics.
• AB 2099 – Protecting Reproductive Health Clinics: Protects abortion care providers and patients by increasing penalties for harassment.
• AB 2527 – Dignified Care of Incarcerated Pregnant People: Ensures that incarcerated pregnant individuals have access to clean water, nutritious food, and greater protection from solitary confinement.
• AB 2837 – Fairness Act: Safeguards low-income consumers by protecting their retirement savings from debt collection and ensuring due process.
• AB 2885 – Defining Artificial Intelligence: Establishes a legal definition for artificial intelligence in California statutes.
• AB 3010 – Suicide Prevention Training: Mandates suicide prevention training and social and emotional learning in middle schools to improve student mental health.
• AB 3062 – Utility Notification: Requires utilities to notify fire districts at least 24 hours before conducting mitigation burns in high fire risk areas.
• SB 1053 – Plastic Bag Ban: Strengthens California's plastic bag ban by closing loopholes and ensuring a plastic bag ban at checkout by 2026.

As the 2024 legislative session comes to a close, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan remains focused on the important work still ahead for California. “While we’ve achieved significant progress this year, there is still much more to tackle,” said Bauer-Kahan. “The issues facing our state are evolving, and I’m committed to continuing the fight for a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all Californians.”

With this year's legislative successes, including protections for reproductive rights, enhanced privacy measures, environmental reforms, and support for vulnerable communities, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan has laid a strong foundation for the next legislative cycle. Looking ahead to 2025, she seeks to build on this momentum to deliver further meaningful progress.

“The momentum we’ve built this year inspires us to push even harder in the next session. Our work is far from finished, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and constituents to advance solutions that continue to meet the needs of Californians,” she added.

###