Asm. Chris Ward

(1) Existing law, known as the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act, defines various terms and prescribes procedures and parameters for local jurisdictions to comply with specified provisions of the California Constitution. The Legislature adopted Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 (ACA 1) and Assembly Constitutional Amendment 10 (ACA 10) , amending ACA 1, at the 2023–24 Regular Session of the Legislature. If approved by the voters, ACA 1 would amend provisions of the California Constitution to create an additional exception to the 1% limit on the ad valorem tax rate on real property by authorizing a local jurisdiction to levy an ad valorem tax to service bonded indebtedness incurred to fund the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of public infrastructure or affordable housing, if the proposition proposing that tax is approved by 55% of the voters in that local jurisdiction. Pursuant to the existing law described above, ACA 1 is scheduled to appear on the ballot at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election. This bill, for purposes of ACA 1, would define "affordable housing" to include rental housing, ownership housing, interim housing, and affordable housing programs such as downpayment assistance, first-time homebuyer programs, and owner-occupied affordable housing rehabilitation programs, that are affordable to households earning up to 150% of countywide median income. The bill would require a local government to ensure that any project that is funded with ACA 1 bonded indebtedness to have an estimated useful life of at least 15 years or 5 years if the funds are for specified public safety facilities, infrastructure, and equipment. The bill would define "public infrastructure" to exclude the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of a sports stadium or arena where the majority of the use of the facility is for private ticketed activities. The bill would prohibit ACA 1 bonded indebtedness from being used for the acquisition or lease of any real property that has, at the time of acquisition or lease, been improved with one to 4 dwelling units, except as specified. The bill would also prohibit any ACA 1 bonded indebtedness, when added to existing bonded indebtedness of a local government, from exceeding the applicable statutory limit on the maximum amount of bonded indebtedness that a local government is authorized to incur. ACA 1, as amended by ACA 10, and if approved by the voters, would require a proposition approving ACA 1 bonded indebtedness to include specified accountability requirements, including a requirement that the local government conduct annual independent performance and financial audits, as specified, and a requirement that the local government appoint a citizens' oversight committee to ensure that revenues are expended only for the purposes described in the measure. ACA 1, if approved by the voters, would require a local government to submit the annual independent performance and financial audits to the California State Auditor for review. ACA 1, if approved by the voters, would authorize the Legislature to enact additional accountability measures, provided that the accountability measures are consistent with the purposes and intent of ACA 1. This bill would require the California State Auditor to review, following specified practices, audits submitted based on the ACA 1 bonded indebtedness provisions. The bill would establish various requirements regarding the appointment and function of a citizens' oversight committee. In this regard, the bill would require the citizens' oversight committee to consist of at least 7 members who serve for a minimum term of 2 years without compensation. The bill would prohibit an employee or official of the local government and any vendor, contractor, or consultant of the local government from being appointed to the citizens' oversight committee. The bill would state the purpose of a citizens' oversight committee is to inform the public concerning the expenditure of revenues derived from ACA 1 bonded indebtedness. The bill would require a citizens' oversight committee to actively review and report on the proper expenditure of taxpayers' money for the purposes described in ACA 1 and advise the public as to whether a local government is in compliance with the requirements of ACA 1. The bill would require the committee to issue regular reports on the results of its activities and would require the local government to provide the citizens' oversight committee with any necessary technical assistance and administrative assistance in furtherance of its purpose, as specified. Because the bill would enact additional accountability measures for ACA 1 taxes, the bill may only be adopted by a 23 vote of the Legislature. ACA 1, if approved by the voters, would prohibit a local government from placing a proposition on the ballot pursuant to ACA 1 if the voters have previously approved an ACA 1 proposition until all funds from the previous proposition are committed to programs and projects, as described. This bill would define "committed" for purposes of ACA 1 to mean all of the funds from ACA 1 bonded indebtedness are dedicated to specific projects or programs. (2) Existing law, the Fire Protection District Law of 1987, requires a fire protection district board of directors to adopt a resolution making determinations and calling an election on a proposition to incur indebtedness and to issue general obligation bonds whenever that district board determines that it is necessary to incur a general obligation bonded indebtedness for the acquisition or construction of any real property or other capital expense or for funding or refunding of any outstanding indebtedness. Existing law also authorizes the district board, if 23 of voters voting upon the proposition favor incurring the indebtedness and issuing the bonds, to adopt resolutions to issue bonds for all or any part of the amount of the indebtedness. This bill would create an exception to that provision to authorize the district board, if 55% of voters voting upon the proposition favor incurring the indebtedness and issuing bonds that would fund any or all of the activities described in ACA 1, to adopt resolutions to issue bonds for all or any part of the amount of the indebtedness. (3) This bill would state that its provisions are severable. (4) The bill would provide that these provisions would become operative only if Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 of the 2023–24 Regular Session is approved by the voters. (5) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

(1) Existing law requires the State Department of Education to develop resources or, as appropriate, update existing resources for in-service training on schoolsite and community resources for the support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) pupils, and strategies to increase support for LGBTQ pupils, as specified. This bill would require the State Department of Education to develop resources or, as appropriate, update existing resources, for supports and community resources for the support of parents, guardians, and families of LGBTQ pupils and strategies to increase support for LGBTQ pupils, as specified. (2) Existing law prohibits discrimination on the basis of, among other characteristics, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution that receives, or benefits from, state financial assistance, or enrolls pupils who receive state student financial aid. Existing law requires the State Board of Education to adopt regulations to implement these provisions. This bill would prohibit school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and the state special schools, and a member of the governing board or body of those educational entities, from enacting or enforcing any policy, rule, or administrative regulation that requires an employee or a contractor to disclose any information related to a pupil's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to any other person without the pupil's consent unless otherwise required by law, as provided. The bill would prohibit employees or contractors of those educational entities from being required to make such a disclosure unless otherwise required by law, as provided. The bill would prohibit employees or contractors of school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, or the state special schools, or members of the governing boards or bodies of those educational entities, from retaliating or taking adverse action against an employee on the basis that the employee supported a pupil in the exercise of specified rights, work activities, or providing certain instruction, as provided.

Existing law regulates the transfer of property. Existing law generally permits any kind of property to be transferred, subject to specified exceptions. This bill would prohibit a homebuilder of a new single-family dwelling unit, as defined, from conducting a bundled sale of 2 or more parcels of real property containing one to 4 single-family dwelling units, inclusive, under a single assessor's parcel number, in a single transaction to an institutional investor, as defined, if the certificate of occupancy was issued for a single-family dwelling unit within the bundled sale and the contract of sale was entered into on or after January 1, 2025. The bill would exempt a homebuilder from this prohibition if the homebuilder obtains an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury from the buyer that the buyer is not an institutional investor, among other things. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would authorize the Attorney General or a district attorney, county counsel, or city attorney to bring a civil action to enforce these provisions. If the Attorney General or a district attorney, county counsel, or city attorney prevails in the civil action, the bill would authorize a court to order the payment of a civil penalty, as specified, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. 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 designate November 8, 2024, as "California's First-Generation College Celebration Day." The measure would urge all higher education institutions in the state to celebrate California's First-Generation College Celebration Day, recognize the significant role of first-generation college students in developing the state's future workforce, celebrate the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, and support first-generation college students with opportunities and equity in completing their desired degree programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill declares May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month in California to highlight the needs of the state's approximately 45,000 children in the foster care system. The measure does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the efforts made by families, caregivers, and organizations to support vulnerable youth. By designating this specific month, the resolution aims to increase public awareness about the challenges foster youth face, such as homelessness after exiting care, and to celebrate the contributions of those working within the child welfare system.

This measure would recognize the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag as the cultural and heritage flag of the Vietnamese American community and as a symbol of the community's continued struggle for freedom and liberty for the people of Vietnam, commemorate the anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, and acknowledge and recognize the Vietnamese American community's commitment to the principles of democracy, justice, and the protection and advancement of human rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates June 2024 as Immigrant Heritage Month in California to recognize the contributions of immigrants to the state's economy and society. The measure does not change laws or create new programs but serves as a symbolic proclamation to highlight the cultural and economic impact of immigrant communities. It is a non-binding resolution that affects the public by encouraging acknowledgment of immigrant heritage rather than imposing specific obligations on individuals or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 3, 2024, as Family Justice Center Day in California to recognize the work of organizations supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. It directly affects the California Family Justice Network and its 27 affiliated centers, which provide coordinated services such as legal aid, mental health support, and police assistance under one roof. The measure highlights the importance of these centers by noting they serve over 70,000 trauma victims annually, including more than 20 percent who are children. By officially acknowledging this date, the legislation aims to raise awareness about the critical role these centers play in helping survivors access necessary resources.

This measure would declare the month of June 2024 as Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Awareness Month, would recognize Thursday, June 20, 2024, as The Longest Day, and would urge all Californians to commemorate the month of June 2024 as Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Awareness Month.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 2024 as California Mountain Biking Month to recognize the sport's history, economic impact, and health benefits within the state. The measure directly affects mountain biking enthusiasts, trail users, and related organizations by officially acknowledging the activity's role in recreation and tourism. The resolution highlights how the industry contributes billions to the economy and supports over 17,000 jobs while promoting outdoor fitness and community building. By proclaiming this specific month, the legislation aims to encourage public participation in off-road cycling and celebrate California's status as a global hub for the sport.