Asm. Mark Stone

This measure would request the Trustees of the California State University and the Regents of the University of California to conduct a study on the usefulness, effectiveness, and need for the SAT and ACT to determine student admissions, and would provide that the study should include evaluation of specified admissions eligibility and qualifications measures and testing issues. The measure would also provide that the study should include recommendations and, if determined necessary, a plan for phasing out the use of the SAT and ACT as a basis for admission.

This measure would request the President and the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that would strengthen the communication between federal, state, local, and tribal officials, and that would require the United States Department of Justice, United States Department of the Interior, and United States Department of Health and Human Services to seek recommendations from tribes in enhancing the safety of Native American women and girls. The measure would also request that the Attorney General of the State of California begin the collection of data as it relates to missing and murdered Native American women and girls.

Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law provides that federally qualified health center (FQHC) services and rural health clinic (RHC) services, as defined, are covered benefits under the Medi-Cal program, to be reimbursed, to the extent that federal financial participation is obtained, to providers on a per-visit basis. "Visit" is defined as a face-to-face encounter between a patient of an FQHC or RHC and specified health care professionals, including a physician and marriage and family therapist. Under existing law, "physician," for these purposes, includes, but is not limited to, a physician and surgeon, an osteopath, and a podiatrist. This bill would authorize reimbursement for a maximum of 2 visits taking place on the same day at a single location if after the first visit the patient suffers illness or injury requiring additional diagnosis or treatment, or if the patient has a medical visit and a mental health visit or a dental visit, as defined. The bill would authorize an FQHC or RHC that currently includes the cost of a medical visit and a mental health visit that take place on the same day at a single location as a single visit for purposes of establishing the FQHC's or RHC's rate to apply for an adjustment to its per-visit rate, and after the department has approved that rate adjustment, to bill a medical visit and a mental health visit that take place on the same day at a single location as separate visits, in accordance with the bill. This bill would also include a licensed acupuncturist within those health care professionals covered under the definition of "visit." The bill would require the department, by July 1, 2020, to submit a state plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reflect certain changes described in the bill, and to seek necessary federal approvals. The bill would also make conforming and technical changes.

This measure would provide that the pending Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, and any resolution thereof, must protect the citizens of California from the imminent and ongoing threats posed by climate change, the buildup of fuels, and inadequate electrical infrastructure. The measure would provide that it is the will of the Legislature that the Public Utilities Commission, in filings with the bankruptcy court overseeing the proceedings, promote certain policy goals relating to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the electrical and gas systems, and victims of wildfires, and communicate the proceedings' profound and direct impacts on the people of California. The measure would provide that it is the will of the Legislature that all Pacific Gas and Electric Company executive compensation be restricted based upon strict compliance with safety and reliability laws and that the company reconstitute its board as specified.

This measure would recognize August 15, 2019, as India's Independence Day, and urge all Californians to join in celebrating India's independence.

This measure would call for continued support and recognition of the many benefits provided by Special Olympics.

Existing law requires a contract and prescribes competitive bidding procedures for any improvement or unit of work not performed by the personnel of the Santa Clara Valley Water District if the district estimates the work to cost over $25,000. This bill would raise that competitive bidding threshold for work not performed by district personnel to work estimated to cost over $50,000. The bill would subject a contract for work not performed by district personnel and estimated to exceed the threshold to the approval of the board, in accordance with board policy that has been adopted in an open meeting. The bill, with certain exceptions, would prohibit the estimated cost of any improvement or unit of work done by district personnel from exceeding $50,000. The bill would authorize the district to elect to participate in the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act. The bill would define terms for purposes of existing law.

Existing law establishes in each county a county department of agriculture under the control of a county agricultural commissioner. Existing law requires a county agricultural commissioner to compile, and to transmit to the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, reports of the condition, acreage, production, and value of the agricultural products in the county. This bill would authorize a county agricultural commissioner to report to the secretary on the condition, acreage, production, and value of cannabis produced in the commissioner's county under a cultivation license issued pursuant to the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act in a similar manner as required for agricultural products pursuant to the above-described provision. The bill would provide that this data may be organized by categories including, but not limited to, state cultivator license type and other specified categories. The bill would prohibit a county agricultural commissioner from seeking reimbursement from certain funding sources for expenses incurred pursuant to this authority.

This measure would declare August 2019 as Valley Fever Awareness Month.