Asm. Rob Bonta

This measure would recognize June 8 as World Oceans Day, and would declare that the Legislature intends to act decisively in 2018 in regard to passing legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution in California rivers, beaches, and ocean, and would further declare that the State of California is determined to seek additional ways to curb plastic pollution on those waterways and beaches, and in other natural spaces and communities.

This measure would recognize June 12, 2018, as the 120th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and would call upon the people of the state to observe the month of June with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

Existing law authorizes a person who suffers a loss or harm to person or property from the unlawful act or omission of another to recover from the person at fault money damages. This bill would allow the injured party, in any action to recover damages for injury to person or property caused by lead-based paint, to establish a prima facie case that a particular lead paint pigment manufacturer is the cause of the injury if the injured party proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the lead paint pigment manufacturer sold, distributed, or promoted in California either the type of lead paint pigment that caused the injury or a product containing the type of lead paint pigment that caused the injury, and would shift the burden of proof to the lead paint pigment manufacturer to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that it did not sell, distribute, or promote the lead paint pigment that caused the injury or a product containing the type of lead paint pigment that caused the injury during the relevant time period or in the geographical market in which the injury occurred. The bill would make each lead paint pigment manufacturer jointly and severally liable if more than one lead paint pigment manufacturer is found liable for an injury to person or property caused by lead-based paint. The bill would expressly make these provisions retroactive. The bill would also state various findings and declarations of the Legislature related to these provisions. The bill would provide that its provisions are severable.

Existing law defines a nuisance as one that affects at the same time an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, although the extent of the annoyance or damage inflicted upon individuals may be unequal, and provides that a public nuisance may be remedied by an indictment or information, a civil action, or abatement. This bill would make any property owner, or agent thereof, who participates in a program to abate lead-based paint created as a result of a judgment or settlement in any public nuisance or similar litigation immune from liability in any lawsuit seeking to recover inspection, abatement, or any other costs associated with that abatement program and the activities conducted pursuant to that abatement program.

This measure would condemn the decision to end the Temporary Protected Status designation for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Sudan. The measure would also urge the United States Congress to enact a bipartisan permanent solution for Salvadorans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Hondurans, and Sudanese with Temporary Protected Status.

Existing law generally regulates the undertaking of bail and the licensing of bail agents, bail permittees, and bail solicitors. Existing law requires an insurer executing an undertaking of bail to do so through a person holding a bail license. Existing law authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to issue bail licenses and to regulate bail licensees. Existing law makes it a public offense to violate these provisions, or any rule of the commissioner made pursuant to these provisions, and makes a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $10,000, or by imprisonment as specified, or by both that fine and imprisonment. This bill would require a surety insurer to report specified information, such as the number and total face value of bail bonds written in the state, to the Insurance Commissioner, the Judicial Council, and the Attorney General on a quarterly and annual basis. Beginning January 1, 2020, the bill would require a bail licensee to post the terms and conditions of its bail contracts on its Internet Web site in English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Korean. The bill, beginning January 1, 2020, would require a bail licensee to provide a bail contract and supporting documents at specified times in plain English, and translations in 5 specified languages upon request. The bill would require a translated document to state in both that language and English that the English version is the official version, and would subject an insurer that knowingly misrepresents information in another language to the penalties for unfair and deceptive acts or practices, effective January 1, 2020. The bill would also require a notice of appointment filed by a bail license applicant to include a copy of a contract between the applicant an a surety insurer, and would require the applicant to provide an updated agreement to the Insurance Commissioner if the contract is amended or superseded. By creating new crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make related legislative findings and declarations. 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, the Outdoor Advertising Act, provides for the regulation by the Department of Transportation of advertising displays, as defined, within view of public highways. This bill would require the department to establish a digital sign demonstration program. As part of the program, the bill would authorize the department, subject to federal approval, to enter into specified comprehensive development lease agreements until January 1, 2024, pursuant to a best value competitive procurement process for pilot projects with public or private entities or a consortia of those entities, to install and operate up to 25 new digital signs within the rights-of-way of the state highway system that would display commercial advertising and public service messages. The bill would authorize the use of the digital signs for emergency messages, as needed, and require dedicated time to be provided to the department to use the digital signs for traveler information and motorist safety and awareness campaigns and any other public messaging desired by the state, without providing additional compensation to the contracting entity. The bill would provide for the contracting entity with which the department has entered into an agreement to contract and receive funds for the placement of commercial advertisements that meet certain standards established by the department. The bill would require revenues derived from a pilot project to be allocated between the department and the contracting entity with which the department has entered into the agreement and would require those revenues received by the department to be deposited in the State Highway Account. The bill would authorize the department to exercise any power possessed by it with respect to transportation projects to facilitate the pilot projects and to adopt guidelines and procedures relative to advertising on the digital signs. The bill would require the Transportation Agency, in coordination with the department and the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to annually submit a specified report beginning July 1, 2019, and until July 1, 2024, to the fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters.

This measure would declare June 6, 2018, as Secure Your Load Day in California.

This measure would declare June 6, 2018, as California Nonprofits Day in recognition of the importance of nonprofit organizations to the economy and well-being of this state.

This measure would designate June 2018 as Second Chances Month in California, highlighting existing services and events to support reentry.