Asm. Phillip Chen

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 2024 as Rett Syndrome Awareness Month in California to highlight the condition and promote public understanding. Rett syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects females, causing significant neurological challenges such as loss of motor skills, speech, and walking ability. The resolution aims to increase awareness among medical professionals, researchers, educators, and the general public to support ongoing efforts to find a cure. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the disease and the need for continued research.

This measure would celebrate the history and culture of lowriding and cruising, encourage local officials and law enforcement to work with local car clubs to conduct safe cruising events, and declare the first Sunday of summer to be observed as California Lowrider Day.

The California Constitution provides that all property is taxable, and requires that it be assessed at the same percentage of fair market value, unless otherwise provided by the California Constitution or federal law. The California Constitution and existing property tax law provide various exemptions from taxation, including, among others, a disabled veterans' exemption and a veterans' organization exemption. This bill would exempt from taxation, on that part of the full value of the residence that does not exceed $863,790, as provided, property owned by, and that constitutes the principal place of residence of, a veteran, the veteran's spouse, or the veteran and the veteran's spouse jointly, if the veteran is 100% disabled. The bill would provide an unmarried surviving spouse a property exemption in the same amount that they would have been entitled to if the veteran was alive and if certain conditions are met. The bill would require certain documentation to be provided to the county assessor to receive the exemption and would prohibit any other real property tax exemption from being granted to the claimant if receiving the exemption provided by the provisions of this bill. The bill would make these exemptions applicable for property tax lien dates occurring on or after January 1, 2024, but occurring before January 1, 2034. By imposing additional duties on local tax officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure to contain, among other things, specific goals, purposes, and objectives that the tax expenditure will achieve, detailed performance indicators, and data collection requirements. This bill would state that it is the intent of the Legislature to apply those requirements to the bill and would set forth specified information relating to those requirements. 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. Existing law requires the state to reimburse local agencies annually for certain property tax revenues lost as a result of any exemption or classification of property for purposes of ad valorem property taxation. This bill would provide that, notwithstanding those provisions, no appropriation is made and the state shall not reimburse local agencies for property tax revenues lost by them pursuant to the bill. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 18 as Willie L. Brown, Jr., Day to honor the late former Speaker of the California State Assembly. It recognizes his significant contributions to public service, including his historic role as the first African American Speaker of the Assembly and his leadership in passing key legislation on issues like housing discrimination, HIV/AIDS, and school funding. The resolution highlights his career achievements, such as mediating the 1993 Los Angeles teachers' strike and his advocacy for civil rights and education. By establishing this commemorative day, the legislature aims to celebrate his legacy and the impact of his work on California's political and social landscape.

This measure would designate the portion of State Route 9 between Lower Glen Arbor Road, at postmile SCR 8.110, to Western Avenue, at postmile SCR 11.131, in the County of Santa Cruz as the Sergeant Damon Christopher Gutzwiller Memorial Highway. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, erect those signs.

This measure would designate a specified portion of State Route 91 in the County of Orange as the Detective Terry Lee Fincher Memorial Highway. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources to cover that cost, to erect those signs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates May 2024 as California Building Safety Month to raise public awareness about the importance of building codes and safety standards. It aims to highlight the critical work of local building officials who inspect structures and enforce regulations to protect citizens. The measure encourages all residents to participate in related activities that promote construction safety and community well-being. As a commemorative proclamation, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies but serves to recognize the ongoing efforts to maintain safe building environments across the state.

This measure would declare May as California Small Business Month and express the Legislature's support of the Governor's efforts in promoting small businesses.

This measure would designate May 29, 2024, as 529 College Savings Day, to raise awareness about the importance of saving for college with the help of 529 college savings plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 24, 2024, as Schizophrenia Awareness Day in California to highlight the condition's impact on the state's 330,000 residents. The measure serves as a symbolic declaration intended to increase public understanding of schizophrenia, a serious mental health disorder that affects daily functioning and has a high rate of disability. It does not alter laws, allocate funding, or create new programs, but rather directs the state's Chief Clerk to distribute copies of the resolution for public distribution.