Existing law makes it unlawful for a person, firm, corporation, or association that is a nongovernmental entity to use a seal, emblem, insignia, trade or brand name, or any term, symbol, or content that reasonably could be interpreted or construed as implying any federal, state, or local government, military veteran entity, or military or veteran service organization connection, approval, or endorsement of a product or service, unless certain criteria are met. This provision includes financial products, goods, or services, including mailings, electronic messages, Internet Web sites, periodicals, or television commercials disseminated unless the nongovernmental entity has an expressed connection with or approval of that governmental entity. Existing law, despite that general prohibition, permits a nongovernmental entity, as specified, to advertise or promote an event, presentation, seminar, workshop, or other public gathering using a seal, emblem, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term, symbol, or content, if that nongovernmental entity has an expressed connection with, or the approval or endorsement of, a federal, state, or local government, military veteran entity, or military or veteran service organization. Existing law authorizes a nongovernmental entity to solicit information, solicit the purchase of or payment for a product or service, or solicit the contribution of funds or membership fees, by any means, including, but not limited to, a mailing, electronic message, Internet Web site, periodical, or television commercial disseminated in this state, using a seal, emblem, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term, symbol, or content, if the person, firm, corporation, or association that is a nongovernmental entity meets certain requirements, including prominently disclosing that the product or service has not been approved or endorsed by any governmental agency. This bill would permit a person, firm, corporation, or association that is a nongovernmental entity to solicit a fee for providing a copy of a public record if that solicitation meets specified requirements. Those requirements would include a certain disclosure requirement stating that the document is an advertisement, the fee or cost charged by the relevant state or local government agency to obtain a copy of the record that the solicitation is offering to obtain, and information necessary to contact the state or local agency with custody of the record. The bill would define "solicit" for purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the Attorney General, a district attorney, or a city attorney to bring an action against a person who violates this provision and would authorize the court to order the person in violation to refund all of the moneys paid to the victim. The bill would require the court to impose a civil penalty in an amount of not more than $100 for each unlawful solicitation document distributed, and not more than $200 for each subsequent document distributed in violation of this provision. The bill would include related legislature findings.
Sponsored bills
This measure would proclaim the month of September 2017 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and state the commitment of the Legislature to support efforts to find cures for, and achieve prevention of, childhood cancer.
This measure would recognize the month of September 2017 as Student Hunger Action Month.
This measure would recognize October 20, 2017, as Arirang Day and would celebrate the culture and contributions of Korean Americans to California.
This measure would proclaim October 13, 2017, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, and would request the citizens of California, on that day, to become informed and aware of metastatic breast cancer.
This measure would remember and honor the millions of victims of the man-made Ukrainian Famine of 1932–1933, known as "Holodomor," and their descendants who are living throughout California. The measure would also designate November 25, 2017, as Holodomor Remembrance Day.
This measure would state that the Legislature respectfully disagrees with statements posted on Twitter by the President of the United States proposing to ban transgender Americans from military service, and would call upon the Governor of California to direct the Armed Forces of the state to take no action that discriminates against transgender service members on the basis of their gender identity or expression, unless superseded by federal law. The measure would also urge the United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis to allow transgender service members who are otherwise able to serve to remain in the United States Armed Forces and recommend to President Trump that transgender individuals who are otherwise able to serve be permitted to join the United States Armed Forces.
This measure would recognize the importance of promoting the leadership of California's tourism industry in continuing to welcome Chinese travelers and would commemorate the mission and success of the 2016 U.S.-China Tourism Year by encouraging continued travel and tourism between California and China, as well as between California and California's other domestic and international markets and partners.
This measure would declare the month of September 2017 as Kinship Care Month.
This measure would proclaim November 2, 2017, as National Latina Equal Pay Day in California in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all.