Asm. Marc Berman

Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of medicine by physicians and surgeons. Under the act, the board consists of 15 members, including 13 members appointed by the Governor, one appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, as prescribed. The act authorizes the appointing power to remove any member of the board for neglect of duty, incompetency, or unprofessional conduct. Under other existing law with respect to the department and its constituent boards, an appointing authority has power to remove from office at any time a member of any board appointed by the appointing authority for continued neglect of duties required by law, or for incompetence, or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct. Existing law prohibits this provision from being construed as a limitation or restriction on the power of the appointing authority conferred on the appointing authority by any other provision of law to remove any member of any board. This bill would revise the removal authority of an appointing power of the Medical Board of California granted by the Medical Practice Act to instead authorize the removal of a member of the board appointed by that authority for continued neglect of duties required by law, or for incompetence, or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct.

The False Advertising Law (FAL) makes it a crime for a person or a firm, corporation, or association, or any employee thereof, to engage in specified false or misleading advertising practices. The Unfair Competition Law (UCL) makes various unfair competition practices unlawful, including any unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue, or misleading advertising. Existing law requires every keeper of a hotel, inn, or lodginghouse to post a statement of rates by the day for lodging and prohibits collection of a sum greater than that amount, as specified. This bill would, beginning July 1, 2024, require a person or an internet website, application, or other similar centralized platform that advertises a hotel room rate or short-term rental rate before the public in this state, or from this state before the public in any state, to include in the advertised hotel room rate or short-term rental rate all mandatory fees, as defined, that will be charged in order for the consumer to stay in the hotel room or short-term rental and include in the total price to be paid, before the consumer reserves the stay, all taxes and fees imposed by a government on the stay. This bill would authorize certain public attorneys, including the Attorney General, to bring an enforcement action against a person or an internet website, application, or other similar centralized platform that knew or should have known that it has advertised a hotel room rate or short-term rental rate in violation of these provisions, and would require a court to impose a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation after consideration of specified factors.

This measure would urge the federal government to allow vehicles registered to disabled veterans to utilize high-occupancy vehicle lanes or carpool lanes pursuant to the federal government's Clean Air Act program authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2024 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in California. It serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of early detection and support for those affected by the disease. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to encourage public awareness and education about ovarian cancer risks and symptoms. Copies of the proclamation will be distributed to the bill's author for sharing with the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill proclaims September 2024 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in California to raise public visibility about mental health resources and suicide prevention services. The measure encourages residents to recognize warning signs, discuss mental health openly, and direct those in crisis to support systems like the 988 lifeline. While it does not create new laws or funding, it serves as an official state declaration to promote education and community engagement during the designated month.

This measure would urge the United States Congress to explore policy options to improve the timeliness of the United States Food and Drug Administration's approval pathways for sunscreen ingredients and filters.

This measure would designate the month of November 2024 to be California's Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month. The measure would recognize and acknowledge the significant contributions made by Californians of Sikh heritage to our state and would seek to afford all Californians the opportunity to better understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared principles of Sikh Americans. The measure would condemn all hate crimes and bias incidents against Sikh Americans and would encourage all Sikhs to practice their faith freely and fearlessly.

Maddy summaryThis bill proclaims September 2024 as California Emergency Preparedness Month to raise awareness about emergency planning. It encourages residents to create personal plans that include food, water, power, and evacuation strategies for various disasters like wildfires and heat waves. The measure is symbolic and does not create new laws, funding, or administrative requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August 8, 2024, as Coastal Stewardship Day in California. It directly affects the state by officially recognizing the importance of its coastline to the economy, environment, and community identity. The measure includes a formal proclamation and directs the Chief Clerk of the Assembly to send copies of the resolution to the author for distribution. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a commemorative acknowledgment of coastal resources and the need for their conservation.

This measure would designate the month of October 2024 as California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. The measure would also recognize and acknowledge the significant contributions made by Californians of Hindu heritage to the state and seek to increase awareness and understanding of the Hindu American community, and would condemn all hate crimes and bias incidents against Hindu Americans, Hindu temples and centers, and places of significance to the Hindu American community.