Asm. Kate Sanchez

Existing law defines "disabled veteran" for purposes of the Vehicle Code as, among other things, a person who, as a result of injury or disease suffered while on active service with the Armed Forces of the United States, has a disability that has been rated at 100% by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Existing law also defines a "disabled veteran" as a veteran who is unable to move without the aid of an assistant device. This bill would instead define a disabled veteran as a veteran who cannot walk without the use of an assistant device. The bill would expand the definition of "disabled veteran" to include a veteran who cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, a veteran who is severely limited in the ability to walk because of an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, or a veteran who has visual acuity of 20/200 or less, among other conditions, as specified.

Existing law authorizes a court to grant pretrial diversion to a defendant suffering from a mental disorder, on an accusatory pleading alleging the commission of a misdemeanor or felony offense, in order to allow the defendant to undergo mental health treatment. Existing law prohibits defendants charged with specified offenses, including murder, from being placed in this diversion program. This bill would add attempted murder to the list of charged offenses that prohibit a defendant from being placed in this diversion program.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 2024 as Menopause Awareness Month in California to highlight the health and societal impacts of menopause on women. It acknowledges that millions of women face symptoms that can affect their daily lives and work, noting that women of color are at higher risk for complications like premature menopause and heart disease. The resolution encourages the state to provide better health information and services to support women's well-being before, during, and after this transition. While the text outlines these goals, the bill itself is a formal recognition rather than a law that creates new funding or mandates specific programs.

The Personal Income Tax Law, in modified conformity with federal income tax laws, generally defines "gross income" as income from whatever source derived, except as specifically excluded, and provides various exclusions from gross income for purposes of computing tax liability. This bill, on and after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2030, would exclude from gross income any amount accruing to a first-time homeownership savings account, as defined, whose beneficiary is a qualified taxpayer. The bill would also, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2030, exclude from gross income any amount withdrawn from a first-time homeownership savings account that is used to pay for qualified homeownership savings expenses of a qualified taxpayer who established the account. The bill would define a first-time homeownership savings account as an account with a financial institution that is designated as a first-time homeownership savings account by the person establishing the account that meets specified requirements. Existing law requires a bill authorizing a new tax expenditure to contain, among other things, specific goals, purposes, and objectives the tax expenditure will achieve, detailed performance indicators, and data collection requirements. This bill would include additional information required for any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.

Existing law requires, upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle that is sounding a siren and has a lighted lamp exhibiting red light, that a driver of a vehicle yield the right-of-way to the emergency vehicle, that the operator of a street car immediately stop the street car, and that all pedestrians proceed to the nearest curb or place of safety and remain there until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed. Existing law makes a violation of that provision an infraction, punishable by specified fines. This bill would prohibit a person driving a vehicle upon a highway or a pedestrian from willfully obstructing a highway, including in the course of a protest, in any manner that interferes with the ability of an authorized emergency vehicle to pass and would make a violation of this provision punishable by specified fines. By creating a new crime, 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

This measure would proclaim the week of April 14, 2024 to April 20, 2024, to be Cities Week, and would encourage all Californians to be involved in their communities and be civically engaged with their local government.

This measure would join Asian and Pacific Islander communities throughout the state, nation, and world in celebrating April 13, 2024, to April 15, 2024, as the Songkran New Year Festival.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes May 2024 as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month in California. It directly affects the state legislature and the broader public by establishing an official period to honor the history and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The resolution highlights the diverse backgrounds of these populations, their significant roles in California's development, and their ongoing achievements in various fields. By adopting this measure, the Assembly commends these communities for their accomplishments and acknowledges the hardships they have faced throughout history.