Asm. Richard Gordon

This measure would declare the week of August 4, 2013, to August 10, 2013, inclusive, to be Dropout Recovery Week, and would state the Legislature's intent to encourage the support of dropout recovery high schools with creative teaching strategies, alternative assessments, and adequate resources.

This measure would proclaim July 25, 2013, as Swimmable California Day to recognize Californians' rights to clean and safe waters for swimming and other appropriate activities, and to encourage Californians to enjoy and use their waters.

This measure would proclaim July 27, 2013, as Korean War Armistice Day. It would urge Californians to observe the anniversary and call upon them to honor and give thanks to Korean War veterans. It would also urge Governor Jerry Brown to proclaim July 27, 2013, as Korean War Armistice Day and instruct all state departments, agencies, interest groups, organizations, and individuals to fly the United States flag at half-mast on July 27, 2013, in memory of veterans from this state who died as a result of their service in Korea.

This measure would urge the President and Congress of the United States to develop a comprehensive federal approach to reducing and preventing gun violence, promptly place assault weapons and high-capacity assault magazines under the scope of the National Firearms Act, and require a universal background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for the transfer of all firearms. This measure would additionally urge the President to take steps to ensure that all states and applicable federal agencies are reporting all necessary records to the NICS.

This measure would specify goals for the reform of the nation's immigration system, and would urge Congress and the President of the United States to take a humane and just approach to solving the nation's broken immigration system.

This measure would urge the California State Legislature and the Governor to restore budget funding to early care and education programs and to support efforts to fund and implement the Quality Rating and Improvement System and other programs that support early care and education. The measure would also urge the California State Legislature to commit to improving the public's understanding of the role that early care and education plays in securing an educated, nimble, and stable workforce to help keep California's economy vibrant and strong for years to come.

This measure would declare the Legislature's recognition of the importance of access to local parks, trails, open space, and facilities for the health and development of all Californians. This measure would also declare the month of July 2013 as "Parks Make Life Better!" Month.

Existing law provides that there is the California Housing Finance Agency in the Department of Housing and Community Development administered by an 11-member board of directors that includes various state officers and 6 members appointed by the Governor. This bill would add the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the board. The bill would also increase the number of members appointed by the Governor to 7 and require that at least one member appointed by the Governor have specific knowledge of bonds and related financial instruments, interest rate swaps, and risk management. The bill would specify, notwithstanding other provisions of the bill, that these provisions relating to the membership of the board would not become effective until January 1, 2014. Existing law authorizes the agency, among other things, to make or undertake commitments to make development loans, construction loans, mortgage loans, and property improvement loans to housing sponsors to finance housing developments, as specified. This bill would authorize the agency to make grants to buyers of residential structures combined with first mortgage loans financed by the agency to be used in conjunction with the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Energy Efficient Mortgage Program, for the purpose of making repairs or improvements to increase energy efficiency in the home, as specified. Existing law provides that the agency shall not, except as provided, make construction loans or mortgage loans for the purpose of financing owner-occupied residential structures unless those loans are made through a qualified mortgage lender. This bill would instead provide that the agency shall not make construction loans or first mortgage loans, except as provided, as specified above. Existing law requires the agency to administer the California Homebuyer's Downpayment Assistance Program for the purpose of providing downpayment assistance to first-time low- and moderate-income home buyers. Existing law requires that the amount of the downpayment assistance shall be due and payable at the end of the term, or upon sale of or refinancing of the home, except that the agency may, in its discretion, permit the downpayment assistance to be subordinated to refinancing, as specified. This bill would also provide that the downpayment assistance shall not be due and payable upon sale of the home if the first mortgage loan is insured by the FHA, transferred to the FHA, or the requirement is otherwise contrary to federal regulations, as specified. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 51504 of the Health and Safety Code made by this bill and AB 637, to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

This measure would designate September 2013 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of California.