Existing law requires that a person who is convicted of felony arson, in addition to the term of imprisonment for the felony, be punished by a 3-, 4-, or 5-year enhancement if one or more of any specified circumstances is found to be true, including that the defendant caused multiple structures to burn in a single violation. This bill would additionally authorize the 3-, 4-, or 5-year enhancement for a person who proximately causes 500 or more acres of forest land to burn. By expanding the scope of the enhancement, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law provides that a livestock or poultry product is misbranded in each of specified cases, including when its labeling is false or misleading in any particular. This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to that provision.
Existing law requires the State Air Resources Board to divide the state into air basins to fulfill the purposes of laws governing air resources and to adopt standards of ambient air quality for each air basin in consideration of the public health, safety, and welfare. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact future legislation related to clean air basins.
Existing law provides for farm and home purchase benefits for qualifying veterans under the Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1974, which is also known as the CalVet Home Loan Program, and places responsibility for program administration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Existing law defines specified terms for these purposes. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
Existing law prohibits violating the personal liberty of another person with the intent to obtain forced labor or services or with the intent to engage in extortion or specified sex offenses. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
Existing law, in civil actions, requires the provisions of the Food and Agricultural Code to be liberally construed to accomplish specified purposes. Existing law, in criminal actions, requires the provisions of the Food and Agricultural Code to be construed according to the fair import of their terms, as provided. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the above-described provisions involving the construction of the provisions of the Food and Agricultural Code.
The Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act governs the management and operation of common interest developments. This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to the provision specifying the act's title.
Existing law authorizes a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who is subsequently employed to perform service subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers' Retirement Plan to elect to retain coverage by PERS for that subsequent service. Existing law prescribes requirements for the exercise of this election, including that the election be submitted in writing, as specified, within 60 days after the member's date of hire to perform the service. Existing law authorized, until January 1, 2024, a member of PERS who provided emergency teaching services pursuant to a specified executive order to elect to retain coverage notwithstanding the failure to meet specified administrative requirements. This bill would authorize a member providing services as a substitute teacher, as defined, under certain circumstances to elect to retain coverage under PERS.
Existing law requires a person to support their spouse. Existing law authorizes a court to order spousal support in an amount, and for a period of time, that the court determines is just and reasonable based on the standard of living established during the marriage. Existing law requires a court, in making spousal support awards, to consider specified factors, including, among other things, each party's earning capacity, the needs of each party, and the duration of the marriage. Existing law prohibits an award relating to spousal support and attorney's fees, provides for the setting of the date of separation, and awards community property interest in retirement and pension benefits if there is a criminal conviction for a violent sexual felony, as specified. This bill would also prohibit an award relating to spousal support and attorney's fees, provide for the setting of the date of separation, and award a community property interest in retirement and pension benefits if, in the absence of a criminal conviction, the family court finds that one spouse has perpetrated a violent sexual felony against the other.
(1) The Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Law, administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, imposes a tax upon each gallon of motor vehicle fuel removed from a refinery or terminal rack in this state, entered into this state, or sold in this state, at a specified rate per gallon. Existing law requires the department to adjust the tax on July 1 each year by a percentage amount equal to the increase in the California Consumer Price Index, as calculated by the Department of Finance. Article XIX of the California Constitution restricts the expenditure of revenues from the Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Law, Diesel Fuel Tax Law, and other taxes imposed by the state on fuels used in motor vehicles upon public streets and highways to street and highway and certain mass transit purposes. This bill would authorize the Governor to suspend an adjustment to the motor vehicle fuel tax, as described above, scheduled on or after July 1, 2025, upon making a determination that increasing the rate would impose an undue burden on low-income and middle-class families. The bill would require the Governor to notify the Legislature of an intent to suspend the rate adjustment on or before January 10 of that year, and would require the Department of Finance to submit to the Legislature a proposal by January 10 that would maintain the same level of funding for transportation purposes as would have been generated had the scheduled adjustment not been suspended. (2) The California Constitution provides for the establishment of the State Board of Equalization, which, before July 1, 2017, had primary responsibility for most of the state's duties, powers, and responsibilities regarding the administration of taxes and fees. Existing law, on July 1, 2017, transferred to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration various duties, powers, and responsibilities of the State Board of Equalization, including administration of the Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Law and the Diesel Fuel Tax Law, as specified. This bill would also change references in these provisions of law from the "State Board of Equalization" to the "California Department of Tax and Fee Administration" or "department," as applicable, to reflect the transfer of the board's duties, powers, and responsibilities to the department. (3) This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.
The California Constitution authorizes local governments to make and enforce all police and sanitary ordinances and regulations within its limits that are not in conflict with general laws. Existing law requires the board of supervisors of a county and the governing body of a city to take measures necessary to preserve and protect the public health in its jurisdiction. This bill would authorize a local government to designate one or more existing employees specializing in counseling or mental health services as a law enforcement mental health liaison to facilitate mental health support for peace officers who serve the local jurisdiction. The bill would make related findings and declarations.
Existing law, the Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998 (the Greene Act) , requires the State Allocation Board to allocate to applicant school districts and charter schools prescribed state funding for construction and modernization of school facilities, including hardship funding and supplemental funding for site development and acquisition. Existing law prohibits any construction of a school building before the project has received the written approval of the Division of the State Architect. This bill, on and after July 1, 2027, would require all new construction projects submitted to the Division of the State Architect pursuant to the Greene Act to include a dedicated space to be used as a school wellness center that is required to be used to provide health support and resource referrals for pupils and staff.
