(1) Existing law provides for a public postsecondary education system in this state. This system consists of the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. Existing law authorizes these institutions to require that mandatory systemwide fees and tuition, among other fees, be paid by their students. Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending these institutions. This bill would establish the CalServe Higher Education Grant Program, under the administration of the commission, which would award annual grants to eligible students to finance mandatory systemwide tuition and fees not covered by federal, state, or institutionally administered grants or fee waivers commencing with the 2023–24 academic year. The bill would establish the CalServe Higher Education Grant Program Fund in the State Treasury and require that all moneys appropriated for the program be deposited into the fund and appropriated by the Legislature to the commission for the program. (2) Under existing law, by executive order, CaliforniaVolunteers is established in the office of the Governor and is charged with overseeing programs and initiatives for service and volunteerism. Existing law authorizes CaliforniaVolunteers to form a nonprofit public benefit corporation or other entity exempt from income taxation, as provided, to raise revenues and receive grants or other financial support from private or public sources, for purposes of undertaking or funding any lawful activity authorized to be undertaken by CaliforniaVolunteers. Existing federal law, the National Community Service Trust Act, also requires the state to create a commission to carry out specified duties relating to national service programs to be eligible for grants or allotments under certain programs, or to receive distributions of approved national service positions. This bill would reestablish CaliforniaVolunteers, renamed CalServe, as a state agency that is not established in the office of the Governor and would set forth its mission, duties, and responsibilities. The bill would require the director, deputy director, and staff of CalServe to serve at the pleasure of, and be appointed by, the Governor. The bill would continue in existence a Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers, to be named the CalServe Commission, for purposes of meeting the requirements of the federal act and the act's implementing rules and regulations, as provided. The bill also would make conforming changes.
Sponsored bills
Existing law establishes various environmental and economic policies. This bill would enact the California COVID-19 Recovery Deal. The bill would make a series of legislative findings and declarations pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and various economic, environmental, and social conditions in the state. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that the state adopt a policy framework with principles and goals committed to accomplish specified economic, environmental, and social objectives and priorities as part of the state's COVID-19 recovery spending. The bill would state that the Legislature establishes various spending rules for the COVID-19 recovery, including adopting spending measures that prohibit businesses, organizations, or agencies from accepting public funds for any long-term projects that prolong the emission of greenhouses gases or lead to the expansion of fossil fuel projects and ensuring that recovery spending includes specific measures for California populations and communities most negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Existing law provides specified rights to victims of crime, including, for victims of domestic violence or abuse, as defined, the right to have a domestic violence advocate and a support person of the victim's choosing present at any interview by law enforcement authorities, prosecutors, or defense attorneys. Existing law also requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, county sheriff, or director of the local department of corrections to give notice not less than 15 days prior to the release from the state prison or a county jail of any person who is convicted of specified crimes, including domestic violence, of any change in the parole status or relevant change in the parole location of the convicted person. This bill would require the county probation department to notify a victim of domestic violence or abuse of the perpetrator's proposed address when the perpetrator is being released on probation. By increasing the duties of county probation departments, this 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.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training in the Department of Justice and requires the commission to establish minimum standards regarding the recruitment of peace officers. Existing law requires the commission to develop guidelines and implement courses of instruction regarding racial profiling, domestic violence, hate crimes, vehicle pursuits, and human trafficking, among others. This bill would require the commission to create a workgroup consisting of appropriate stakeholders to study the appropriate leave of absence policies for a peace officer after a traumatic event has occurred in the course of the peace officer's duties.
Existing law creates the California State Auditor's Office, which is independent of the executive branch and legislative control, to examine and report annually upon the financial statements prepared by the executive branch. Other existing law, the California Whistleblower Protection Act, authorizes the California State Auditor to conduct an investigative audit upon receiving specific information that an employee or state agency has engaged in an improper governmental activity, as defined. The act requires the auditor to administer its provisions and to investigate and report on improper governmental activities. The act requires the auditor, if, after investigating, the auditor finds that an employee may have engaged or participated in improper governmental activities, to prepare an investigative report and send a copy of the investigative report to the employee's appointing power. The act prohibits an employee from directly or indirectly using or attempting to use the official authority or influence of the employee for the purpose of intimidating, threatening, coercing, commanding, or attempting to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or command any person for the purpose of interfering with the rights conferred pursuant to the act. This bill would specify that the improper activities to be investigated and reported on include actual or attempted acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar improper acts as prohibited by the act. The act requires the auditor to create the means for the submission of allegations of improper governmental activity, as prescribed, and authorizes the auditor, upon receiving specific information that any employee or state agency has engaged in an improper governmental activity, to conduct an investigation of the matter. This bill would require the auditor to provide a dated notice of receipt of submission to the person submitting an allegation of improper governmental activity. The act requires the auditor, if, after investigating an allegation, the auditor finds that a state agency or employee may have engaged or participated in an improper governmental activity, to prepare an investigative report and send a copy of that report to the head of the agency involved and to the head of any other agency that has direct oversight over that involved agency. Under the act, the auditor does not have any enforcement power with regard to such a violation. This bill would require the auditor, upon request, to also notify the employee providing the information that initiated the investigation that an investigative report has been issued. The bill would require the auditor, if the auditor finds that a state agency or employee may have engaged in actual or attempted acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar improper acts as prohibited by the act, to send a copy of those findings to the State Personnel Board. The bill would require, in any civil action or administrative proceeding for such a violation, that the investigative report and findings be made available to the complainant, as specified. The act authorizes a state employee or applicant for state employment who files a written complaint with the employee or applicant's supervisor, manager, or the appointing power alleging actual or attempted acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar prohibited improper acts, to also file a copy of the written complaint in a prescribed manner with the board, together with a sworn statement that the contents of the written complaint are true, or are believed by the affiant to be true, under penalty of perjury. Under the act, a person who intentionally engages in acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar acts against a state employee or applicant for state employment for having made a protected disclosure, is subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 and imprisonment in the county jail as prescribed. The act provides for additional relief, including an action for damages by the injured party, and provides for punitive damages and reasonable attorney's fees. Under these provisions, any action for damages is not available to the injured party unless the injured party has first filed a complaint with the board and the board has issued, or failed to issue, specified findings. This bill would also authorize the filing of such a complaint with the auditor. By expanding the crime of perjury, this bill would imposed a state-mandated local program. The bill would subject a person who violates that protected disclosure provision to a penalty of $25,000 and imprisonment. The bill would also entitle an injured party, where liability has been established, to specified costs. The bill, with respect to an action by the injured party, would authorize a court to order specified appropriate relief. Under the bill, it would not be a prerequisite for an action for damages for the injured party to first file a complaint with the board. The bill would authorize an employee, in any civil action or administrative proceeding brought pursuant to these provisions, to petition the board or the superior court in any county wherein the violation in question is alleged to have occurred, or wherein the person resides or transacts business, for appropriate temporary or preliminary injunctive relief. The bill would grant the board or court jurisdiction to grant temporary injunctive relief, as prescribed. The act contains complaint provisions specific to the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) . Those university provisions make certain persons who intentionally engage in acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar acts against a UC or CSU employee for having made a protected disclosure, subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 and imprisonment in the county jail, as prescribed. Under those provisions, where liability has been established, the injured party is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees. Additionally, under those provisions, an action for damages is not available until a complaint has been filed with the university and the university has failed to reach a decision within specified time limits. This bill would instead impose a penalty of $25,000 and imprisonment. The bill would specify that an injured party's reasonable attorney's fees include fees and costs for any actions or proceedings before the State Personnel Board. The bill would authorize a court, if liability is established, to order any appropriate relief, including, but not limited to, reinstatement, backpay, restoration of lost service credit, if appropriate, compensatory damages, and the expungement of any adverse records of the employee or applicant for employment who was the subject of the alleged acts of misconduct prohibited by the act. Under the bill, it would not be a prerequisite for an action for damages for the injured party to first file a complaint with the university. The act contains complaint provisions specific to certain courts. Those provisions, except as specified, make a person who intentionally engages in acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar acts against an employee or applicant for employment for having made a protected disclosure, subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 and imprisonment in the county jail, as prescribed. Under the court provisions, where liability has been established, the injured party is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees. This bill would instead impose a penalty of $25,000 and imprisonment. The bill would authorize a court, if liability is established, to order any appropriate relief, including, but not limited to, reinstatement, backpay, restoration of lost service credit, if appropriate, compensatory damages, and the expungement of any adverse records of the employee or applicant for employment who was the subject of the alleged acts of misconduct prohibited by the act. Existing law authorizes the board to initiate a hearing or investigation of a written complaint of prohibited conduct within 10 working days of its submission. If the executive officer finds that the supervisor, manager, employee, or appointing power retaliated against the complainant for engaging in protected whistleblower activities, the supervisor, manager, employee, or appointing power may request a hearing before the board regarding the findings of the executive officer. If, after the hearing, the board determines that a violation occurred, or if no hearing is requested and the findings of the executive officer conclude that improper activity has occurred, the board is authorized to order any appropriate relief. Existing law requires, if a state employee is successful in an action brought pursuant to these provisions, that the complaining employee be reimbursed for specified costs. This bill would specify that appropriate relief may include reasonable attorney's fees and costs for successful prosecution of a retaliation complaint before the board. The bill would also require the reimbursement of reasonable attorney's fees for a successful action by a complaining employee. Existing law relating to state civil service disciplinary proceedings provides an employee 30 calendar days after the effective date of an adverse action to file with the board a written answer to the notice of adverse action, as prescribed. This bill would additionally authorize an employee to file a complaint pursuant to the act within that period. 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state, and authorizes them to provide instruction at the campuses they operate. Existing law establishes the California School Finance Authority, and authorizes the authority to, among other things, issue revenue bonds to finance or refinance educational facility projects for school districts, charter schools, county offices of education, and community college districts. This bill would require the California School Finance Authority to administer a competitive grant program to provide planning grants to California community colleges that are exploring or determining if they can offer affordable student rental housing, as defined. The bill would require the authority to ensure that the selection process meets certain requirements, and to provide technical assistance to community colleges that receive planning grant funds for the purpose of exploring and determining if they can offer affordable student rental housing. The bill would make the implementation of these provisions contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute for these purposes.
Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation to contract with Amtrak for intercity rail passenger services and provides funding for these services from the Public Transportation Account. Existing law authorizes the department, subject to approval of the Secretary of Transportation, to enter into an interagency transfer agreement under which a joint powers board assumes responsibility for administering the state-funded intercity rail service in a particular corridor and associated feeder bus services. Existing law creates the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board, which is the governing board of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority and is responsible for administering the Colfax-Sacramento-Suisun City-Oakland-San Jose rail corridor, which is defined as the Capital Corridor. This bill would appropriate $2 billion from the General Fund without regard to fiscal years to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority to invest in capital improvements for the Capitol Corridor.
Existing law requires a city, county, or city and county to administratively approve an application to install an electric vehicle charging station through the issuance of a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit subject to a limited review by the building official of that city, county, or city and county. Existing law allows the building official to require the applicant to apply for a use permit if the official finds that the station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety and prohibits the city, county, or city and county from denying the application for a use permit to install an electric vehicle charging station unless it makes written findings that the proposed installation would have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact. Existing law requires every city, county, and city and county to create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations and to adopt a checklist pursuant to which an applicant that satisfies the information requirements shall be deemed complete and therefore eligible for expedited review. This bill would require an application to install an electric vehicle charging station to be deemed complete if, 5 business days after the application was submitted, the building official of the city, county, or city and county has not deemed the application complete, as specified, and if the building official has not issued a one-written correction notice, as specified. The bill would require an application to install an electric vehicle charging station to be deemed approved if 15 business days after the application was deemed complete certain conditions are met, including that the building official of the city, county, or city and county has not approved the application, as specified, and the building official has not made findings that the proposed installation could have an adverse impact, as described above, and required the applicant to apply for a use permit. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) , an initiative statute approved as Proposition 64 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, authorizes a person who obtains a state license under AUMA to engage in commercial adult-use cannabis activity pursuant to that license and applicable local ordinances. The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) , among other things, consolidates the licensure and regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities. MAUCRSA generally defines delivery to mean the commercial transfer of cannabis or cannabis products to a customer, limits the delivery of cannabis or cannabis products to only be made by a licensed retailer, microbusiness, or nonprofit, and establishes requirements for the delivery of cannabis and cannabis products, including that an employee of the licensee carry a copy of the licensee's current license and a government-issued identification with a photo of the employee, such as a driver's license. MAUCRSA also requires the Bureau of Cannabis Control to establish minimum security and transportation safety requirements for the delivery of cannabis and cannabis products. Under existing administrative law, among other requirements, a licensed retailer's delivery employee that is carrying cannabis goods for delivery is only allowed to travel in an enclosed motor vehicle. Under existing administrative law, among other requirements, a licensed retailer's delivery employee is prohibited from carrying cannabis goods in the delivery vehicle with a value in excess of $5,000 at any time and the value of cannabis goods carried in the delivery vehicle for which a delivery order was not received and processed by the licensed retailer prior to the delivery employee departing from the licensed premises may not exceed $3,000. This bill would require, on or before January 1, 2022, the regulations established by the bureau regarding the minimum security and transportation safety requirements to include regulations that would allow for different value tiers of cannabis goods to be carried during delivery of those cannabis goods to customers by employees of a licensed retailer based on the type of vehicle used for the delivery, including bicycles and motorcycles, as specified. The bill would require, on or before January 1, 2022, the bureau, in coordination with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to develop transportation safety standards for all the different value tiers of cannabis goods carried during delivery to customers by employees of a licensed retailer based on the type of vehicle used for the delivery, as specified, and to develop a standardized inspection and certification process for each delivery vehicle based on the transportation safety standards developed pursuant to this bill, including the form of the certifications, to be implemented on and after January 1, 2023. Under existing administrative law, a delivery employee of a licensed retailer may only carry cannabis goods in the delivery vehicle and may only perform deliveries for one licensed retailer at a time. Existing administrative law also requires a delivery employee of a licensed retailer to depart and return to the same licensed premises before taking possession of any cannabis goods from another licensee to perform deliveries. This bill would codify those administrative law provisions. The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act authorizes the Legislature to amend the act to further the purposes and intent of the act with a 23 vote of the membership of both houses of the Legislature. This bill would declare that its provisions further specified purposes and intent of the act.
(1) Existing law establishes the California State University and its various campuses under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University. Existing law requires the trustees to appoint a chief executive officer, known as the Chancellor of the California State University. Existing law authorizes the trustees to operate motor vehicle parking facilities and alternate methods of transportation for officers, students, and employees, and authorizes parking facilities to charge parking fees. Existing law requires, except as specified, that revenues received from these parking facilities be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the State University Parking Revenue Fund. This bill would require the trustees to include in the California State University Five-Year Capital Plan specified information relating to the costs and usage of its parking facilities and of alternative transportation strategies considered by campuses in determining the need for those parking facilities. (2) Existing law requires that the Trustees of the California State University control and expend all money appropriated for the support and maintenance of the university. This bill would require the Office of the Chancellor to, on or before November 30 of each year, report to the Legislature the current balance and projections of the surplus the California State University has accumulated for discretionary spending on operations and instruction, and an estimate of how much tuition has contributed to the surplus.