Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for any owner or manager of an elephant to engage in abusive behavior toward the elephant, which includes disciplining an elephant by specified methods, including, but not limited to, use of electricity. This bill would, beginning January 1, 2018, expand the scope of these provisions to apply to any person who houses, possesses, or is in direct contact with an elephant and would additionally provide that abusive behavior toward the elephant includes the use of a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork, or similar device. By expanding the scope of a crime, the 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.
Sponsored bills
This measure would, among other things, designate the year of 2016 as "State of California Year of Commemoration of the Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1923," would designate April 24, 2016, as "State of California Day of Commemoration of the 101st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1923," and would call upon the President of the United States and the United States Congress to formally and consistently reaffirm the historical truth that the atrocities committed against the Armenian people constituted genocide.
This measure would declare the month of April 2016 as the Month of the Military Child.
This measure would declare the week of March 7, 2016, through March 13, 2016, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
Existing law regulates trust administration and generally requires a trustee to administer the trust according to the trust instrument. Under existing law, a trustee may exercise specified powers without court authorization, including the power to acquire or dispose of property. Existing law authorizes the beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust to compel modification of the trust upon petition to the court, if all beneficiaries of the trust consent. This bill would enact the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, under which a fiduciary of an irrevocable trust may distribute the property of a first trust to one or more 2nd trusts or modify the terms of the first trust without the consent of the beneficiaries or approval of the court, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require specified persons, including qualified beneficiaries and, if the trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General, to be provided notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power, and would authorize the court, on application by specified persons, to, among other things, approve an exercise of the decanting power. Among other provisions, the bill would require a fiduciary exercising the decanting power to act in accordance with its fiduciary duties and in accordance with the purposes of the first trust. The bill would also specify that the decanting power does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.