Asm. Tom Torlakson

This measure would urge the United States government to urge the Mexican government to extend the deadline for Mexican laborers, known as braceros, who worked in the United States beginning in 1942 as part of a labor importation program initiated by the United States to alleviate a labor shortage during World War II, to submit a claim to recover unpaid wages from a specified settlement fund. It would also urge the United States government to urge the Mexican government to accept a variety of documents as proof of a valid claim.

This measure would declare May 2009 to be American Stroke Month in California.

This measure would declare May 2009, to be Hepatitis B Awareness Month in California, recognize May 19, 2009, as World Hepatitis Awareness Day, and call on all interested parties to come together to raise awareness and educate the public on hepatitis B and to make recommendations on ways to implement best practices in hepatitis B prevention and treatment.

This measure would recognize the week of May 4 through 10 as National Early College High School Week and the month of May as Early College High School Month in California and honor the commitment and success of the Early College High School Initiative.

Existing law prohibits a redevelopment agency or a local agency, as defined, from providing any form of financial assistance to a vehicle dealer or big box retailer, or a business entity that sells or leases land to a vehicle dealer or big box retailer, that is relocating from the territorial jurisdiction of one community or local agency to the territorial jurisdiction of another community or local agency, as specified. This bill would, on or after the date this act takes effect, prohibit a local agency from entering into any form of agreement with a retailer, a consultant or agent representing a retailer, or any other person that would involve the payment, transfer, diversion, or rebate of any amount of Bradley-Burns local tax proceeds for any purpose if the agreement results in a reduction in the amount of revenue that is received by another local agency from a retailer that is located within the territorial jurisdiction of that other local agency, and the retailer continues to maintain a physical presence within the territorial jurisdiction of that other local agency, with specified exceptions. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

This measure would declare March 2009 to be Arts Education Month and would encourage all elected officials to participate with their educational communities in celebrating the arts.

This measure would recognize May 2009 as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

This measure would proclaim May 20, 2009, as the 21st Annual State Scientist Day.

This measure continues in existence the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, renames it as the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management, comprised of 7 Members of the Senate and 7 Members of the Assembly, as specified, and authorizes the joint committee to act until November 30, 2010, and to address California's emergency management issues. This measure also authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules to make moneys available from the Senate Operating Fund, as it deems necessary, to pay the expenses of the joint committee.

This measure would declare April 12 to April 18, 2009, inclusive, as National Library Week.