Asm. Steve Bennett

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 2026 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in California to highlight the disease's impact and promote screening efforts. It directly affects all Californians by encouraging early detection through regular check-ups and new testing options, particularly for younger adults and underserved communities facing higher risks. The resolution aims to increase public knowledge about prevention and treatment advancements without mandating specific actions or funding changes.

Existing law authorizes the Office of the State Fire Marshal to allow certification of contractors who conduct defensible space, home hardening, fuel reduction, roadside clearance, and other contracting activities for wildfire resiliency efforts and who have completed specified training programs. Existing law generally regulates classes of insurance, including residential property and fire insurance. Existing law creates the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner, and prescribes the department's powers and duties. Existing department regulations prohibit an insurer from using a rating plan that does not take into account and reflect specified wildfire risk mitigation, including property-level building hardening measures. Upon request for a premium quote for residential property insurance, this bill would require a specified insurer to provide a premium quote for the residential property that includes the price of insurance if the property is certified as "hardened" by a home hardening certification program established or approved by the State Fire Marshal and a premium quote for the residential property in its current state.

Existing law prescribes the procedures by which a proposed ordinance may be submitted to the governing board of a district by an initiative measure. These procedures do not apply to specified districts, including a district formed under a law that does not provide a procedure for elections. This bill would authorize the voters of any district that has authority to impose a transactions and use tax for transportation purposes to impose a retail transactions and use tax by an initiative measure. The bill would prohibit the initiative tax from exceeding the maximum authorized rate for a tax imposed by an ordinance enacted by the governing body of the district, and the bill would require the initiative measure to contain all spending limitations and substantive accountability standards applicable to a tax imposed by an ordinance enacted by the governing body. To the extent the bill would increase the duties of county elections officials, 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Maddy summaryACR 116 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, as it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The measure was adopted by the Assembly on January 16, 2026, and is now pending in the Senate Committee on Rules and Legislative Services. This type of resolution typically serves to acknowledge historical figures or events without implementing policy changes.

Maddy summaryACR 118 designates January 13, 2026, as Korean American Day in recognition of Korean American contributions. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it simply formally proclaims a specific date for observance. The bill directly affects public acknowledgment of Korean American heritage within the state. It has advanced through committee approval and passed the Assembly with unanimous support.

This measure would proclaim the month of January 2026 as National Mentoring Month, and would proudly recognize Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California for its unwavering commitment to the children and families of our region and its enduring impact on future generations.

Maddy summaryACR 122 designates the week of January 25-31, 2026, as Anesthesiologists Week to honor anesthesiologists for their contributions to patient care. This ceremonial resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it simply recognizes the profession through a symbolic week-long observance. It directly affects the broader public by raising awareness of anesthesiologists' roles, but does not impose requirements or alter laws. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Rules and Licensing (RLS).

Existing law includes the Revenue and Taxation Code, under which various taxes are imposed, calculated, and administered. This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to those provisions.

Existing law requires every city and county, by December 31, 1973, to prepare and adopt an open-space zoning ordinance consistent with the local open-space plan adopted pursuant to specified law. Existing law makes legislative findings that the provisions relating to open-space zoning are not intended, and shall not be construed, as authorizing the city or the county to exercise its power to adopt, amend or repeal an open-space zoning ordinance in a manner that will take or damage private property for public use without the payment of just compensation therefor. This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to this provision.

This measure would recognize January as National Blood Donor Month and urge all citizens to celebrate the cause of blood donation and recognize volunteer blood donors for their generous gifts, urge all eligible blood donors to donate regularly, and encourage businesses and organizations throughout the state to sponsor community-based blood drives with their local blood centers and provide citizens of our State with the opportunity to give.