Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Existing law makes it a crime to, among other things, possess any matter, representation of information, data, or image, including, but not limited to, any film, filmstrip, photograph, negative, slide, photocopy, videotape, video laser disc, computer hardware, computer software, computer floppy disc, data storage media, CD-ROM, or computer-generated equipment or any other computer-generated image that contains or incorporates in any manner, any film or filmstrip, the production of which involves the use of a person under 18 years of age, knowing that the matter depicts a person under 18 years of age personally engaging in or simulating sexual conduct. This bill would, for the purposes of those provisions, include an image generated through the use of artificial intelligence, as defined, as a computer-generated image. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law imposes specified duties on the Department of Justice relating to the collection and analysis of criminal statistical data, including, among other things, a requirement to make information relating to criminal justice statistics available to the public through the department's OpenJustice internet portal. This bill would require the Department of Justice to include in its collection and analysis of criminal statistical data violations based on materials generated through the use of artificial intelligence. 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 authorizes the Fish and Game Commission to adopt regulations that it deems necessary for the disposition of birds or mammals that are killed accidentally. Existing law also authorizes the commission, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to establish, in consultation with specified public agencies and stakeholders, a pilot program no later than January 1, 2022, for the issuance of wildlife salvage permits that authorize a person to recover, possess, use, or transport certain mammals that have been accidentally killed as a result of a vehicle collision for purposes of salvaging wild game meat for human consumption. Existing law requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to implement the pilot program no later than 6 months after the commission establishes the pilot program. Existing law repeals the pilot program provisions on January 1, 2029. This bill would eliminate the January 1, 2022, deadline for the commission to establish this previously authorized pilot program. Existing law authorizes, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department to develop a separate pilot program to collect and compile information and data on wildlife-vehicle collisions to support certain wildlife conservation efforts. This bill would require the department to conclude the pilot program 5 years after the date of commencement.

Existing law requires the State Air Resources Board to approve and begin implementing a comprehensive short-lived climate pollutant strategy to achieve a certain reduction in statewide emissions of methane, including a goal of a 75% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2025. Existing law requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, in consultation with the state board, to adopt regulations that achieve those targets for reducing organic waste in landfills that may include, among other things, different levels of requirements for local jurisdictions and phased timelines based upon their progress in meeting the organic waste reduction goals, and penalties to be imposed by the department for noncompliance. The department's regulations authorize low-population and elevation waivers for a local jurisdiction, based on, among other things, a consideration of the jurisdiction's census tracts, that exempt the jurisdiction from all or some of the department's organic waste collection requirements. This bill would require the department to revise the regulations to require the department to consider, in addition to census tracts, alternatives to those census tracts, as provided, when deciding the geographic boundaries of a low-population or elevation waiver, as specified. The bill would prohibit the department from considering those alternatives when deciding the boundaries for those waivers until it adopts the revised regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates October 2024 as Intellectual Property Awareness Month in California to highlight the importance of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The measure aims to encourage public education and outreach efforts that help citizens, students, and businesses understand how intellectual property rights foster innovation and economic growth. By promoting awareness of these concepts, the resolution seeks to support the state's diverse creative industries and reinforce the value of protecting original works.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 108 officially designates August 8 as California Pickleball Day to honor the sport's history and growing popularity in the state. This resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but instead serves as a commemorative measure to recognize pickleball as a fun, social activity suitable for people of all ages. The text highlights the game's origins in 1965 and its rapid expansion across the United States, noting its inclusion in senior games and its status as one of the fastest-growing sports. By adopting this resolution, the Senate acknowledges the sport's cultural significance without imposing any new regulations or obligations on residents.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution establishes November as Veteran Housing Insecurity Awareness Month to highlight the housing challenges faced by veterans in California. The measure recognizes that many veterans struggle with homelessness, high housing costs, and eligibility barriers for federal housing assistance due to how disability income is calculated. By formally declaring this awareness month, the resolution aims to draw attention to these specific issues without altering any existing laws or funding.

The Personal Income Tax Law imposes a tax on individual taxpayers measured by the taxpayer's taxable income for the taxable year, but excludes certain items of income from the computation of tax, including an exclusion for combat-related special compensation. This bill, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2034, would exclude from gross income retirement pay received by a taxpayer from the federal government for service performed in the uniformed services, as defined, during the taxable year. The bill, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2034, would also exclude from gross income annuity payments received by a qualified taxpayer, as defined, pursuant to a United States Department of Defense Survivor Benefit Plan during the taxable year. The bill would make related findings and declarations. Existing law requires any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure to contain, among other things, specific goals, purposes, and objectives that the tax expenditure will achieve, detailed performance indicators, and data collection requirements. This bill also would include additional information required for any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure. The bill would require the Franchise Tax Board and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide any data requested by the Legislative Analyst to write the report, as provided, and would make taxpayer information received by the Legislative Analyst subject to limitation on the collection and use of that information. By expanding the scope of a 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 bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.

Existing law classifies certain substances, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, as controlled substances and generally prohibits the possession, sale, transportation, and use of these substances. Existing law additionally prohibits the possession of certain of these controlled substances including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine while armed with a loaded and operable firearm. A violation of this prohibition is punishable as a felony punishable by incarceration in the state prison. This bill would additionally prohibit the possession of fentanyl, as specified, while armed with a loaded and operable firearm if the person has knowledge that the specific controlled substance is fentanyl. By expanding the application of an existing 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.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 122 officially designates September 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in California. This measure encourages individuals, businesses, and organizations across the state to participate in awareness activities and support families affected by the disease. The resolution also expresses gratitude to medical professionals and acknowledges the progress made by organizations fighting childhood cancer.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including certain dental services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Under existing law, early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT) services are covered under Medi-Cal for an individual under 21 years of age in accordance with certain federal provisions. Under existing law, for persons 21 years of age or older, laboratory-processed crowns on posterior teeth are a covered benefit when medically necessary to restore a posterior tooth back to normal function based on the criteria specified in the Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria. This bill, The Smile Act, for purposes of the above-described Medi-Cal coverage for laboratory-processed crowns, would remove the condition that the tooth be posterior and would apply the coverage to persons 13 years of age or older. The bill would also add, as a covered Medi-Cal benefit for persons of any age, subject to prior authorization, a dental implant if tooth extraction or removal is medically necessary or if the corresponding tooth is missing. The bill would condition this coverage on there being no other covered functional alternatives for prosthetic replacement to correct the person's dental condition, as specified, on the person being without medical conditions for which dental implant surgery would be contraindicated, on receipt of any necessary federal approvals, and on the availability of federal financial participation. Under the bill, the above-described provisions would not be construed to exclude Medi-Cal coverage for laboratory-processed crowns on teeth or dental implants if otherwise required under EPSDT services.