Existing law generally designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency with the primary responsibility for the control of vehicular air pollution. Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) , in partnership with the state board, and in consultation with specified state agencies, to develop and adopt a state plan to increase the use of alternative transportation fuels. This bill would, until January 1, 2030, require the Energy Commission, in consultation with the state board and the Public Utilities Commission, to prepare a statewide assessment of the fuel cell electric vehicle fueling infrastructure and fuel production needed to support the adoption of zero-emission trucks, buses, and off-road vehicles at levels necessary for the state to meet specified goals and requirements relating to vehicular air pollution, as provided. The bill would require, among other things, the statewide assessment to consider all necessary fuel production and distribution infrastructure, as specified, to meet those goals and requirements and to examine existing and future fuel production and distribution infrastructure needs throughout the state, including in low-income communities. The bill would require the Energy Commission to regularly seek data and input relating to fuel cell electric vehicle fuel production and fueling infrastructure from specified state agencies and interested stakeholders. The bill would require the Energy Commission to complete the statewide assessment by December 31, 2023, and to update the statewide assessment at least once every 3 years. The bill would require the Energy Commission to post the initial and updated statewide assessments on its internet website. The bill would provide that the statewide assessment does not constitute a directive instituting a mandate on state funding or limit the ability of the Energy Commission to award funds related to specified categories of projects on a competitive basis.
Sponsored bills
Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, and the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Under existing law, the board of governors appoints the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to serve as the chief executive officer of that segment, the trustees appoint the Chancellor of the California State University to serve as the chief executive officer of that segment, and the regents appoint the President of the University of California to serve as the chief executive officer of that segment. Existing law requires, by September 1, 2019, the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, in collaboration with the Academic Senate for the California Community Colleges, to develop a consistent policy to award military personnel and veterans who have an official Joint Services Transcript course credit for California Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum, California State University General Education Breadth, or local community college general education requirements, as specified. Existing law also requires the office of the chancellor and the academic senate to review and adjust this uniform policy to align it with policies of other public postsecondary educational institutions. Existing law further requires, by December 31, 2020, each community college district to have a policy consistent with the policy developed by the chancellor, and requires each community college campus to post on its internet website the most recent policy. This bill would require the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University, in collaboration with the Academic Senate of the California State University, and request the University of California, to develop, by September 1, 2022, a consistent policy to award military personnel and veterans who have an official Joint Services Transcript course credit in a course taught at the campus where the student matriculates with subject matter similar, or equivalent, subject to academic and faculty review, to that of the student's military education, training, and service. The bill would also require that each campus of the California State University, and request that the University of California, have in effect, by December 31, 2023, a policy consistent with the respective policies developed by the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University and the University of California and post on its internet website the most recent policy adopted pursuant to the bill.
Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Existing law requires the secretary, as head of the department and subject to the policies adopted by the California Veterans Board, to perform all duties, exercise all powers and jurisdiction, assume and discharge all responsibilities, and carry out and effect all provisions vested by law in the department. Existing law defines "veteran" for the purposes of the various programs granting benefits to veterans. This bill would authorize the secretary to designate a deputy, employee, or other official in the department to act for them and to represent them at meetings. The bill would authorize the secretary to delegate powers and duties, as specified. The bill would include in the definition of "veteran" a person who qualifies for funds made available from a qualified mortgage revenue bond issued pursuant to federal law, as specified, and who, at the time of application for Cal-Vet benefits, was a member of the California National Guard or a reserve component of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States who has completed not less than a 6-year commitment and was released under honorable conditions. Existing law provides for farm and home purchase benefits for qualifying veterans under the Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1943 and the Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1974, which are collectively referred to as the CalVet Home Loan Program, and places responsibility for program administration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Existing law establishes program requirements, including that homes, condominiums, and mobilehomes, in the opinion of the department, suit the needs of the purchaser and that the department process loan applications with the intent of delivering a loan within an average of 30 days. Existing law permits the department to purchase property subject to a participation contract for a loan term of not less than 23 years and requires the purchase price plus the participation contract to not exceed the maximum purchase prices available under the program. This bill would repeal the Veterans' Farm and Home Act of 1943. The bill would, for purposes of the Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1974, provide that in cases of homes, condominiums, and mobilehomes, the determination that the purchase meets required standards is within the sole opinion of the department. This bill would require the department to efficiently process loans with the intent of achieving loan delivery within an industry standard average number of days, rather than requiring 30 days. This bill would repeal the requirement that property purchased subject to a participation contract be limited to a term of not less than 23 years. This bill would allow the department to acquire a home for the purpose of refinancing an existing loan, as specified. This bill would make other technical changes.
Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, establishes the California State Board of Pharmacy in the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law authorizes a county to establish a voluntary drug repository and distribution program for the purpose of distributing surplus medications through a surplus medication collection and distribution intermediary that is licensed by the board. Existing law authorizes the board to charge a fee in the amount of $300 to issue or renew a license to operate as a surplus medication collection and distribution intermediary. Existing law makes a violation of the Pharmacy Law a crime. This bill would establish, until January 1, 2027, a program for the collection and distribution of eligible unused cancer medications, to be known as the Cancer Medication Recycling Act. The bill would require each participating practitioner, as defined, in the collection and distribution of those medications to be registered with a surplus medication collection and distribution intermediary, as specified, and would require a surplus medication collection and distribution intermediary to create a registry for up to 50 participating practitioners, including developing both a donor and a recipient form containing specified information. The bill would authorize a surplus medication collection and distribution intermediary to charge a fee, not to exceed $300, as specified, to issue or renew the registration certificate of a participating practitioner under the program. The bill would require participating practitioners to meet specified requirements, including establishing criteria for determining medication distribution to patients. This bill would exempt a participating practitioner from licensure as a wholesaler and would require the practitioner to keep and maintain for 3 years records created by the participating practitioner for purposes of the program. The bill would also exempt a donor and other specified persons and entities from criminal or civil liability for an injury caused when participating in the program, including, but not limited to, donating, accepting, or dispensing medication in compliance with the requirements of the act, unless the person or entity acted with gross negligence, recklessness, intentional conduct, or in cases of malpractice unrelated to the quality of the medication. The bill would also exempt a participating practitioner that receives a donated medication and redistributes it from a specified penalty resulting from the condition of the donated medication, except as specified. The bill would authorize the board to prohibit a participating practitioner from participating in the program if the participating practitioner does not comply with the requirements of the bill. Because a violation of the requirements of the bill contained in the Pharmacy Law would be a crime, the 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.
Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care, and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law authorizes a health care service plan or health insurer to contract with a provider for alternative rates of payment. This bill would require a health care service plan or health insurer, but not a Medi-Cal managed care plan, to reimburse contracting health care providers for their business expenses to prevent the spread of respiratory-transmitted infectious diseases causing public health emergencies declared on or after January 1, 2022. Because a willful violation of the bill's requirements relative to health care service plans would be a crime, the 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.
Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services pursuant to a schedule of benefits. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, this bill would expand the schedule of benefits to include an annual cognitive health assessment for Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are 65 years of age or older if they are otherwise ineligible for a similar assessment as part of an annual wellness visit under the Medicare Program. The bill would make a Medi-Cal provider eligible to receive the payment for this benefit only if they comply with certain requirements, including completing cognitive health assessment training. The bill would require the department to determine specified training and validated tools in consultation with prescribed entities, including the State Department of Public Health's Alzheimer's Disease Program. By January 1, 2024, and every 2 years thereafter, the bill would require the department to consolidate and analyze data related to the benefit, and to post information on the utilization of, and payment for, the benefit on its internet website. The bill would authorize the department to implement these provisions by various means, including all-plan letters, without taking regulatory action, and would condition the implementation of these provisions to the extent federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available.
Existing law, the CalSavers Retirement Savings Trust Act, creates in state government the CalSavers Retirement Savings Board and requires the board to, among other things, design and implement the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program. This bill, the California Public Banking Option Act, until January 1, 2032, would require the Treasurer to convene, on or before September 1, 2022, the CalAccount Blue Ribbon Commission to be composed of certain members, including the Treasurer or the Treasurer's designee. The act would require the commission to, on or before July 1, 2024, conduct, by contracting with one or more entities with appropriate expertise, and deliver, as prescribed, a market analysis to determine if it is feasible to implement a "CalAccount Program," which, if implemented, would have certain characteristics, including that it would be a program established by the state for the purpose of protecting consumers who lack access to traditional banking services from predatory, discriminatory, and costly alternatives, which offers Californians access to a voluntary, zero-fee, zero-penalty, federally insured transaction account, known as a CalAccount, and related payment services at no cost to accountholders, including robust and geographically diverse mechanisms for accessing account funds and account management tools that facilitate the automation of basic financial transactions designed to serve the needs of individuals with low or fluctuating income. The bill would require the commission to hold a public hearing to review the market analysis and, after holding that hearing, would authorize the commission to issue a report to accompany the market analysis, as prescribed. The bill would make the operation of the act contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature in the Budget Act or another statute for its purposes.
Under the Pharmacy Law, the California State Board of Pharmacy licenses and regulates the practice of pharmacy and the conduct of a pharmacy in this state. The Pharmacy Law refers to various types of pharmacies, including community pharmacies, as specified. Existing law prohibits a community pharmacy from requiring a pharmacist to engage in the practice of pharmacy at any time the pharmacy is open to the public, unless another employee, as specified, is made available to assist the pharmacist at all times. This bill would prohibit a chain community pharmacy, as defined, from establishing a quota, defined as a fixed number or formula related to the duties for which a pharmacist or pharmacy technician license is required, against which the chain community pharmacy or its agent measures or evaluates the number of times either an individual pharmacist or pharmacy technician performs tasks or provides services while on duty. The bill would also prohibit a chain community pharmacy, through employees, contractors, or third parties, from communicating the existence of quotas to pharmacists or pharmacy technicians who are its employees or with whom it contracts. The bill would authorize the board to take an enforcement action against a chain community pharmacy that violates these provisions, as specified.
Existing law, the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, requires employers to comply with certain standards ensuring healthy and safe working conditions, as specified. Existing law charges the Division of Occupational Safety and Health within the Department of Industrial Relations with enforcement of the act, subject to oversight by the Chief of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (chief) . This bill would require the chief or a representative of the chief to convene an advisory committee, comprised of no fewer than 13 and no more than 18 individuals, including representatives from specified groups, to make recommendations, in consultation with other specified divisions and entities, to the department or Legislature to protect the health and safety of household domestic service employees, and develop voluntary industry-specific occupational health and safety guidance for the purpose of educating household domestic service employees and employers, as specified. The bill would require the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to post the report to its internet website and submit a copy to the Legislature, as specified, no later than January 1, 2023.
Existing law requires county elections officials to mail a ballot to every registered voter for all elections proclaimed or conducted prior to January 1, 2022. Existing law requires county elections officials to use a specified Secretary of State vote by mail tracking system or a system that meets the same specifications. This bill would extend the requirements to mail a ballot to every registered voter to all elections and apply them to all local elections officials. This bill would require a vote by mail tracking system to be accessible to voters with disabilities. The bill would also make various conforming and technical changes. Existing law requires county elections officials to permit voters with a disability, and military or overseas voters, to cast a ballot using a certified remote accessible vote by mail system, and required county elections officials to permit any voter to cast a ballot using a certified remote accessible vote by mail system for the November 3, 2020, statewide general election. This bill would require county elections officials to permit any voter to cast a ballot using a certified remote accessible vote by mail system for any election. Under existing law, a vote by mail ballot is timely cast if it is voted on or before election day and, if returned by mail, received by the voter's elections official via the United States Postal Service, or a bona fide private mail delivery company, no later than 3 days after election day. This bill would provide instead that a vote by mail ballot is timely cast if it is voted on or before election day and, if returned by mail, received no later than 7 days after election day. This bill would authorize an elections official to consider any information from the United States Postal Service or a bona fide private mail delivery company that indicates the date on which the ballot was mailed, in order to determine whether a vote by mail ballot was timely cast. Existing law authorizes a jurisdiction in which vote by mail ballots are cast to begin processing vote by mail ballot return envelopes 29 days before the election. Existing law authorizes a jurisdiction having the necessary computer capability to start processing vote by mail ballots on the 15th business day before the election, except, for the statewide general election held on November 3, 2020, these jurisdictions were authorized to start processing the ballots on the 29th day before the election. Existing law authorizes all other jurisdictions to start processing vote by mail ballots at 5 p.m. on the day before the election. Existing law authorizes a county elections official to establish vote by mail ballot drop-off locations, as defined. Existing law authorizes a county to conduct any election as an all-mailed ballot election under certain specified conditions. This bill would require any county that does not conduct an all-mailed ballot election to provide at least two vote by mail ballot drop-off locations within the jurisdiction where the election is held, or at least one vote by mail ballot drop-off location for every 30,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, whichever results in more vote by mail ballot drop-off locations. In a jurisdiction with fewer than 30,000 registered voters, the bill would require at least one vote by mail ballot drop-off location, and would require the elections official to make a reasonable effort to provide a ballot drop-off location in the jurisdiction where the election is held. This bill would require the operation of vote by mail ballot drop-off locations to meet certain specified criteria. This bill would authorize a jurisdiction having the necessary computer capability to start processing vote by mail ballots the 29th day before any election. By requiring local elections officials to mail a ballot to every registered voter, and to take other actions, 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.