Asm. Roger Hernández

This measure would memorialize the Legislature's disagreement with the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, and would call upon the United States Congress to propose and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and to restore constitutional rights and fair elections to the people.

Existing law regulates harbors and navigable waters. Existing law provides that those provisions, in so far as they are not in conflict with the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction and laws of the United States, apply to navigable waters of the United States. Existing law regards as navigable and public ways the coast line of the state from the boundary between it and Mexico on the south, to the boundary line between it and Oregon on the north, as defined and determined by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. This bill would require the owner or operator of a ship to preserve a crime scene and all physical evidence whenever a violent crime is reported to the owner or operator of the ship at anytime when the ship is within the jurisdiction of the state. The bill would make the owner or operator liable for a civil fine not to exceed $50,000 in an action brought by the district attorney for a failure to satisfy the requirements of these provisions.

The Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994 and the Multifamily Improvement District Law both require a management district plan for an improvement district proposed under either law to include specified information. Both laws require a city council to contract with a nonprofit corporation if the management district plan designates the nonprofit corporation to provide services to the improvement district. The Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 sets forth the procedures for establishing an assessment district under the act, including the preparation of reports by an engineer. This bill would prohibit the city council, the owners' association, and the nonprofit corporation, if one is designated, in the case of a district formed pursuant to the Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994 or the Multifamily Improvement District Law, from contracting for services relating to the management or operation of the district with any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, or other organization that was previously contracted with for services relating to the formation of the district. The bill would also prohibit a local agency, in the case of an assessment district formed pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, from contracting for services relating to the management or operation of the district with any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, or other organization that was previously contracted with for services relating to the formation of the district.

This measure would designate November 2012 as California Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month. It would recognize and acknowledge the significant contributions made by Californians of Sikh heritage to the state and afford all Californians the opportunity to understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared principles of Sikh Americans.

This measure would declare May 2012 to be American Stroke Month in California.

The Ralph C. Dills Act, administered by the Public Employment Relations Board, authorizes state employees to form, join, and participate in the activities of employee organizations of their own choosing for the purpose of representation on all matters of employer-employee relations, as specified. Existing law authorizes an employee organization to become the exclusive representative of an appropriate unit for purposes of meeting and negotiating, as specified. Existing law requires the Governor, or his or her representative, as properly designated by law, to meet and confer in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with representatives of recognized employee organizations, and to consider fully any presentation that is made by an employee organization on behalf of its members prior to arriving at a determination of policy or course of action. This bill would provide that the Ralph C. Dills Act applies to employees of the Judicial Council, including employees of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The bill would require the Administrative Director of the Courts to meet and confer in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and would identify matters excluded from the scope of representation. The bill would require the Public Employment Relations Board, in determining appropriate bargaining units, to not include Judicial Council employees in a bargaining unit that includes other employees.

This measure would call on the United States Congress to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011, Senate Bill No. 1925, authored by Senators Leahy and Crapo, and ensure the sustainability of vital programs designed to keep women and families safe from violence and abuse.

Existing law requires, if the number of pupils who wish to attend a charter school exceeds its capacity, preference to be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the school district. Existing law also authorizes other preferences to be extended, on an individual school basis, if consistent with the law. This bill would prohibit preferences based on a parent's or guardian's contribution of time to support charter school activities or financial contribution to the charter school.