Sen. Catherine Blakespear

Existing state law forbids a public employer from deterring or discouraging public employees from becoming or remaining members of an employee organization. Existing federal law forbids employers from interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of rights relating to organizing, forming, joining, or assisting a labor organization for collective bargaining purposes, or from working together to improve terms and conditions of employment, or refraining from any such activity. This measure, the Right to Organize and Negotiate Act, would ensure that all Californians have the right to join a union and to negotiate with their employers, through their legally chosen representative, to protect their economic well-being and safety at work. This measure would require the Legislature to provide for the enforcement of these rights. This measure would also prohibit, after January 1, 2023, the passing of any statute or ordinance that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and workplace safety.

This measure would honor and congratulate the San Diego State University Aztecs for advancing to the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament national championship game.

Existing law provides for the establishment of district agricultural associations and authorizes a district agricultural association to engage in various activities, including to purchase, acquire, hold, sell, exchange, or convey any interest in real property with the approval of the Department of General Services. Existing law establishes District 22 as the County of San Diego. This bill, by April 30, 2024, would require the 22nd District Agricultural Association to execute a legally binding lease of specified parcels of real property to the City of Del Mar for the purposes of constructing a residential development that provides at least 61 units that are affordable to lower income households. The bill would provide that the rent for a lease executed pursuant to these provisions be $1 per year and would authorize the City of Del Mar to sublease the real property to a private entity for the purpose of developing and constructing the affordable housing units. The bill would authorize the lease to include a requirement that a minimum percentage of the units constructed be reserved for employees of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, provided that no more than 10% are reserved for those employees. The bill would provide that the lease not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services. By requiring the City of Del Mar to execute a lease with the 22nd District Agricultural Association, 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, 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.

This measure would designate the month of May 2023 as National Bike Month in California and would encourage Californians to ride bicycles for commuting and recreation, and California cities and counties to make streets safer for cycling.

This measure designates the month of April 2023 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and recognizes April 26, 2023, as "Denim Day" in California.

Existing law establishes the Middle Class Scholarship Program (MCSP) under the administration of the Student Aid Commission. Existing law makes an undergraduate student eligible for a scholarship award under the MCSP if the student is enrolled at the University of California or the California State University, or enrolled in upper division coursework in a community college baccalaureate program, and meets certain eligibility requirements. This bill would extend awards under the MCSP to community college students who are current or former foster youth pursuing transfer to a 4-year postsecondary educational institution, an associate degree, an associate degree for transfer, or a community college career technical education certificate and meet other MCSP requirements, as provided. The bill would require the commission to summarize the provisions of the MCSP that apply to these current or former foster youth and title those provisions as "The Fostering Futures Program" on a page on its internet website.

This measure would recognize May 14, 2023, as the 116th annual Mother's Day and would urge all Californians to recognize, appreciate, and be grateful for the gifts and good works of mothers on that day.

This measure would recognize April 8, 2023, and every April 8 thereafter, as Women's Surf Day.