Sen. Nancy Skinner

Existing law provides various sources of funding for transit projects. This bill would specifically authorize the state or a local agency, relative to the use of federal funds for transit purposes, to provide a bidding preference to a bidder if the bidder exceeds Buy America requirements applicable to federally funded transit projects, as specified.

Existing law, the California Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of residential care facilities for the elderly by the State Department of Social Services. Existing law authorizes the director to take enforcement action, including, but not limited to, actions to suspend or revoke a license and to impose civil penalties for violations. Under existing law, a violation of these provisions is a crime. This bill would enact the RCFE Residents Foreclosure Protection Act of 2011 which would, with certain exceptions, require the licensee of a facility to notify the department, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and all residents, applicants, and, if applicable, their legal representatives, in writing within 2 business days of specified events, and would require the department to initiate a compliance plan, noncompliance conference, or other appropriate action upon receipt of this notice. By expanding the definition 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.

This measure would recognize October 2011 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and urge all Californians to take a stand against domestic violence.

This measure would urge the United States government to consider the California jobs and economic stimulus provided by the California floriculture industry when advancing free trade agreements, specifically with Colombia.

This measure would proclaim February 28, 2011, as Rare Disease Day.

This measure would honor and recognize the service and sacrifice made by members of the Armed Forces and their families on the occasion of Armed Forces Day on May 21, 2011.

This measure would recognize the 61st anniversary of National Flag Day, honor the 51st anniversary of the flying of the current American flag, and would encourage all Californians to celebrate the occasion with appropriate activities.

This measure would recognize September 2011 as Sickle Cell Awareness Month in California and would urge the President and the Congress of the United States to restore funding for sickle cell anemia centers and research and to make sickle cell anemia and other genetic hemoglobinopathies a public health priority.

This measure would urge Congress and the President of the United States to increase funding for specified law enforcement and crime prevention programs and to pay the full costs of incarcerating undocumented criminals, as provided.

This measure would congratulate the California State University system on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, commend the invaluable contributions it has made to the intellectual and social growth of its students, and extend best wishes for its continued success in the future.