Sen. Cathleen Galgiani

This measure would proclaim June 2012 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to temporarily remove any inmate from prison or any other institution for the detention of adults under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, including, but not limited to, removal for the purpose of attending college classes. Existing law provides that, unless the inmate is removed for medical treatment, the removal shall not be for a period longer than 3 days. Existing law also authorizes the secretary to require the inmate to reimburse the state, in whole or in part, for expenses incurred by the state in connection with the temporary removal, other than for medical treatment. This bill would, until January 1, 2013, additionally authorize the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to temporarily remove any inmate from prison or any other institution for the detention of adults under the jurisdiction of the department for the purpose of permitting the inmate to participate in or assist with the gathering of evidence relating to crimes, and would, until January 1, 2013, authorize the secretary to require, except when the removal is for medical treatment or to assist with the gathering of evidence relating to crimes, the inmate to reimburse the state for its reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the temporary removal. The bill would also make technical changes. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Existing law, the California Control of Profits of Organized Crime Act, provides the procedure for the forfeiture of property and proceeds acquired through a pattern of criminal profiteering activity, as specified, and requires the prosecution to file a petition for forfeiture in conjunction with certain criminal charges. Under existing law, criminal profiteering activity is defined to include specified crimes, including forgery and receiving stolen property. Existing law requires a person engaged in business as a secondhand dealer, as defined, to be licensed by local law enforcement, and makes a violation of that requirement a misdemeanor under circumstances where a person knows or should have known that a violation was being committed. This bill would make a violation of the requirement to be licensed when engaging in business as a secondhand dealer a misdemeanor irrespective of knowledge that a violation was being committed. By expending the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also include within the definition of criminal profiteering activity the sale of tangible personal property or other secondhand goods, including, but not limited to, gold and other precious metals, by a secondhand dealer, without a license, as specified. By expanding the scope of an existing 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 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act of 2009, establishes the Delta Stewardship Council as an independent agency of the state. Existing law requires a state or local public agency that proposes to take a covered action that will occur within the boundaries of the Delta or the Suisun Marsh to prepare, and submit to the council, a specified written certification of consistency with the Delta Plan prior to taking those actions. Existing law defines a "covered action" to mean a plan, program, or project, as specified. Existing law, the Johnston-Baker-Andal-Boatwright Delta Protection Act of 1992, requires the Delta Protection Commission to review and maintain a comprehensive long-term resource management plan for land uses within the primary zone, as defined, of the Delta. Existing law defines the secondary zone as all the Delta land and water area within the boundaries of the Delta not included within the primary zone, subject to the land use authority of local government, as prescribed. This bill would exclude from the definition of "covered action" any project, as defined, as of September 30, 2009, that is within an urban or urbanizing area within the Delta's secondary zone, within the boundaries of the community's adopted sphere of influence or urban limit line and substantially conforms with an adopted general plan. Existing law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency to prepare and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on a project, as defined, that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant impact on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to prepare environmental assessments or environmental impact reports that contain statements of the environmental effects of proposed federal agency actions. This bill would exclude from the definition of "covered action" any upgrade to an existing drinking water, stormwater, or wastewater treatment, storage, or conveyance facility within the existing physical footprint or legal property boundaries, as applicable, of the facility, to meet a state or federal water quality compliance order, as specified. This bill would also exclude from the definition of "covered action" any flood control project undertaken within the Delta's secondary zone that is consistent with the Central Valley Flood Protection Act of 2008 and which would provide protection to an urban or urbanizing area or existing public infrastructure. These upgrades and projects would have to comply with CEQA or NEPA, or both.

Existing law, the California High-Speed Rail Act, creates the High-Speed Rail Authority to develop and implement a high-speed rail system in the state, with specified powers and duties. Existing law, pursuant to the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century, approved by the voters as Proposition 1A at the November 4, 2008, general election, provides for the issuance of $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds for high-speed rail and related purposes. Various federal laws provide funding for allocation nationally to high-speed rail and other related projects. This bill would require the authority to appoint an agricultural advisory committee with 9 members from a list of nominees recommended by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. The bill would require the authority to consult with the committee and to reflect the committee's comments on authority policies and related matters in any action item brought before the board of the authority. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

This measure would designate November 2012 as California Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month. It would recognize and acknowledge the significant contributions made by Californians of Sikh heritage to the state and afford all Californians the opportunity to understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared principles of Sikh Americans.

This measure would declare May 2012 to be American Stroke Month in California.

This measure would call on the United States Congress to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011, Senate Bill No. 1925, authored by Senators Leahy and Crapo, and ensure the sustainability of vital programs designed to keep women and families safe from violence and abuse.