We have now wrapped up the 2023 legislative session, which marks the end of the first year of the two-year 2023-24 legislative cycle.
Some of the big issues the Legislature tackled this year:
- Raising the minimum wage for healthcare workers to $25
- Calling for a federal constitutional convention to address gun violence and establishing an excise tax on licensed firearms dealers, firearms manufacturers, and ammunition vendors to fund programs that address the causes and harms of gun violence.
- Making the sex trafficking of minors an offense that triggers California’s “three strikes” law.
- Requiring companies in California making more than $1 billion annually to report their greenhouse gas emissions.
- Increasing paid sick leave from 3 to 5 days.
- Approving a $6.4 billion bond, to go before voters in March 2024, to address our homeless crisis.
I am proud to report that five of my bills passed through both houses of the Legislature, and two have already been approved. Issues I worked on this year include ensuring marriage equality for all Californians, protecting our children from sexual predators, keeping public transit workers and passengers safe from violent riders, expanding in-home evaluations so patients who are affected by transportation, finances, and other constraints have access to their necessary health services, and aligning state law with Santa Clara County's Measure F (passed in 1998) establishing the County's ability to implement ranked-choice voting for county elections.
Below are brief descriptions of our 2023 legislative accomplishments:
ACA 5: Marriage Equality
This bill put on the November 2024 ballot a constitutional amendment to protect the fundamental freedom to marry as part of the existing rights to due process, equal protection, enjoyment of life and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and privacy. Our California Constitution should protect fundamental civil rights for all people, and ACA 5 will help protect the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, as well as for interracial couples.
AB 1735: Valley Transportation Authority
This bill grants Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) prohibition order program to address violent assaults against transit operators and riders. This authority will allow VTA to move proactively to keep violent persons from interacting with VTA employees without the need for lengthy court proceedings.
AB 1227: Ranked Choice Voting for Santa Clara County
This bill allows Santa Clara County to implement ranked-choice voting for county elections. In 1998, Santa Clara County voters approved Measure F, which added section 208 to the county charter authorizing instant run-off, a form of RCV, when the technology was available.
AB 1371: Prohibits Sexual Predators from Completing Court-Ordered Community Service around Children
This bill prohibits a person convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, who is granted probation, from completing community service at a school or location where children are present.
AB 1070: Physician Assistant
This bill permits physicians and surgeons to supervise up to eight physician assistants to perform in-home evaluations. This allows the health care system to expand its reach and provide services to patients who are affected by transportation, finances, and other constraints that limit their access to necessary health services.
Assembly Current Resolution 104: Hepatitis
The resolution recognizes July 28 as World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis, and urges all California institutions, nonprofit organizations, health care organizations, businesses, community leaders, and residents to ensure screenings for hepatitis B and C.
Assembly Current Resolution 113: State Government
This measure would urge that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis be held accountable and investigated for the criminal nature of specified actions, and that the United States Department of Justice investigate the governor for Florida’s Unauthorized Alien Transport Program.
House Resolution 38: Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
Recognizes May 2023 as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, and commends Asian and Pacific Islander Americans for their notable accomplishments and contributions to California.
House Resolution 38: Acupuncture
Proclaims July 12, 2023, as California Acupuncture Day, and encourages all Californians to consider the use of acupuncture.
In addition to the bills we worked on this year, I am incredibly proud of the money my office secured in the state budget for the district. Below is a breakdown of the specific grants:
- $1.75 million to the City of Sunnyvale to make walking and biking safer near the Lakewood Elementary School. These infrastructure improvements align with numerous local, state and federal policies and initiatives and have significant health, safety and environmental benefits. Additionally, this funding will help the City invests in neighborhoods that have a high percentage of socio-economically disadvantaged families.
- $1.75 million to the City of Santa Clara for the regional public safety interoperable radio communications. Many of the City’s portable and mobile radios are nearing the end of their serviceable life and are in need of replacement. This funding will allow the City to replace a significant portion of the radios to prepare for the next emergency.
