Rep. Marie Waldron

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Filipino American History Month to recognize the long-standing contributions of Filipinos to California and the United States. It directly affects state officials and the public by designating a specific month for commemoration and education. The resolution highlights historical milestones, including early Spanish-era interactions, the development of Filipino communities in cities like Stockton and San Francisco, and the significant roles Filipinos played in agriculture, shipbuilding, and military service during World War II. By formally acknowledging these events, the bill aims to promote awareness of Filipino American heritage within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 22, 2024, as Kimchee Day in California to honor the traditional Korean dish and its cultural significance. It acknowledges the long history of kimchee, the contributions of Korean Americans, and the dish's recognized health benefits and growing popularity in the United States. The resolution directs the Assembly's Chief Clerk to send copies of the document to the author for distribution.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Transgender History Month in California to recognize the state's significant contributions to transgender history and activism. The resolution highlights key historical figures and events, such as early Indigenous gender variance, the Cooper Do-nuts and Compton's Cafeteria riots, and the founding of major support organizations. By formally acknowledging these milestones, the measure aims to educate the public about the long-standing presence and struggles of transgender people in California.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes Diwali as a significant cultural and religious holiday for Indian Americans and South Asian Americans in California. It acknowledges the festival's importance to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains by highlighting its historical roots and the specific meanings it holds for each group. The resolution expresses the Assembly's respect for these communities and encourages Californians to participate in the celebration of lights on November 1, 2024. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter laws or funding but serves to officially honor the occasion within the state legislature.

Existing law, in the trial of a capital case or specified murder cases, authorizes an indigent defendant, through the defendant's counsel, to request the court for funds for the specific payment of investigators, experts, and others for preparation or presentation of the defense. Existing law requires the fact that an application has been made to be confidential and the contents of the application to be confidential. Existing law provides that this confidentiality does not preclude any court from providing the Attorney General with access to documents protected by these provisions when the defendant raises an issue on appeal or collateral review where the recorded portion of the record relates to the issue raised. This bill would, instead, provide that this confidentiality does not preclude any court from providing the prosecuting agency representing the state in the proceeding with that access. Existing law authorizes a person who was convicted of a felony and is currently serving a term of imprisonment to make a written motion for performance of forensics deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. Existing law requires the DNA testing, if granted by the court, to be conducted by a laboratory that is mutually agreed upon by the district attorney in a noncapital case, and the Attorney General in a capital case, and the person filing the motion, as specified. This bill would instead require that DNA testing to be conducted by a laboratory that is mutually agreed upon by the district attorney or Attorney General and the person filing the motion, regardless of the type of case.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of June 3, 2024, as Sacramento Valley Ecosystem Awareness Week to highlight the region's unique natural and agricultural resources. The measure acknowledges the area's importance for migratory birds, endangered fish species, and rice farming while promoting efforts to restore local ecosystems. It expresses legislative support for the Floodplain Forward Coalition, a group working to improve water management and environmental health in the valley. The resolution serves as a formal recognition of these ecological values rather than creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates Wednesday, June 12, 2024, as Loving Day in the state of California. It commemorates the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized interracial marriage nationwide and honors the legacy of Mildred and Richard Loving. The measure serves as a symbolic observance to celebrate multicultural communities and the historical significance of the court decision.

This measure would designate the portion of Interstate 80 in the County of Placer, from the Douglas Boulevard Overcrossing, 19-0079 at postmile 1.975, to the junction of State Route 65 at postmile 4.160, as the Sergeant Nicole Gee, United States Marine Corps Memorial Highway. The measure would also request that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 2024 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the second Saturday of that month as Lung Cancer Screening Day in California. It aims to raise public awareness about the importance of early detection and encourage eligible individuals to discuss screening options with their healthcare providers. The resolution also calls for increased education regarding lung cancer risk factors, health disparities, and available screening methods to improve survival rates.

Existing law creates a Research Advisory Panel, as specified, to conduct hearings on, and in other ways study, research projects concerning cannabis or hallucinogenic drugs in this state and the treatment of abuse of controlled substances. Existing law, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, requires, with specified exceptions, that all meetings of a state body be open and public and all persons be permitted to attend. Existing law authorizes certain state bodies to hold closed session meetings for certain purposes, including allowing the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery or its auxiliary committees to hold closed sessions for the purpose of discussing trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information. This bill would authorize the Research Advisory Panel to hold closed sessions for the purpose of discussing, reviewing, and approving research projects that contain sensitive and confidential information, including trade secrets, intellectual property, or proprietary information in its possession, the public disclosure of which is prohibited by law. The Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act authorizes a state body that is an advisory board, advisory commission, advisory committee, advisory subcommittee, or similar multimember advisory body to hold an open meeting by teleconference, subject to specified requirements. This bill would deem the Research Advisory Panel a multimember advisory body solely for the purposes of the above-described teleconferencing provisions. The bill would require the panel to provide a report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2026, that provides an update on the backlog of applications, as specified. This bill would make its provisions repealed or inoperative, as specified, on January 1, 2027. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.