Rep. Jose Solorio

Existing law establishes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to, among other things, establish professional standards, assessments, and examinations for entry and advancement in the education profession. This bill would require the commission to convene an advisory panel to explore the recognition of leadership roles within the teaching career pathway, as specified. The commission would be required to consider the findings of the advisory panel and report to the Governor and the Legislature on recommendations for the recognition of teacher leaders within one year of the advisory panel being convened. The bill would require the commission to use private funds to support the advisory panel, and would prohibit the use of General Fund moneys for this purpose. The bill would require the advisory panel to be convened only after the Department of Finance determines that private funds, in an amount sufficient to fully support the activities of the advisory panel, have been deposited with the state. The bill would require the department to file a written statement with specified persons that the determination has been made.

The Budget Act of 2012 made appropriations for the support of state government for the 2012–13 fiscal year. This bill would amend the Budget Act of 2012 by revising an item of appropriation relating to the California State Library. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as a Budget Bill.

This measure would recognize June 12, 2012, as the 114th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, and would call upon the people of the state to observe the month of June with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

This measure would commemorate and honor the service and sacrifice of the members of the United States Armed Forces who supported the operations in Iraq, and their families, as the official combat mission in Iraq draws to a close. This measure would encourage mayors and communities across the State of California to honor veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan on November 11, 2012, in Veterans Day parades, ceremonies, and other displays of our state's gratitude for their service and sacrifice. This measure would also request that the Department of General Services work with appropriate 3rd parties to advise and oversee the creation of a memorial for the California veterans who fought and served in Iraq and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering the design, construction, and maintenance costs and ensuring that the memorial is in the best interest of the State Capitol Park, erect that memorial, in accordance with California law, in the State Capitol Park. This measure would state the intent of the Legislature to enact future legislation authorizing the creation of a larger memorial commemorating and thanking those who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of the state highway system and associated property. Existing law authorizes the department to place signs on state highways directing motorists to culturally unique and historically significant communities within the geographic boundaries of a city, county, or city and county under certain conditions. Among these conditions is a requirement for the governing body of the city, county, or city and county in which the community is located to adopt a resolution that designates the name of the community, defines the geographic boundaries of the community, and requests the department to post the signs. This bill would, until January 1, 2014, authorize the department to also post signs under these provisions in the absence of compliance with the above-referenced resolution requirements, if the governing board of the county in which the community is located adopts a resolution conforming with the above-referenced requirements and the city in which the community is located, if any, provides a letter from the director of transportation or the city official in charge of transportation matters indicating that the city is not opposed to the placement of signs. This bill would also authorize the department to continue to display the signs installed under these provisions after the repeal of these provisions.

This measure would proclaim February 29, 2012, as Rare Disease Day in California.

This measure would designate the month of February 2012 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and would encourage all Californians to observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month with appropriate programs and activities that raise awareness about teen dating violence and promote healthy teen relationships in their communities.

This measure would declare the week of June 4, 2012, to June 10, 2012, inclusive, as Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness Week.