Sen. Les Ihara

Allows employer and employee to mutually agree to an independent medical examiner or permanent impairment rating examiner. An out-of-state physician may conduct the examination upon approval by the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations (Director) or when an employee resides out-of-state. Without the parties' mutual agreement, the Director shall appoint the physician who shall be paid from funds appropriated by the Legislature. Defines "medical stability."

Requires that mandatory seller disclosures in real estate transactions include identification of residential real properties lying within a sea level rise exposure area. Takes effect on 11/01/2018.

Requires persons convicted of animal cruelty to register with the attorney general. Requires animal shelters, animal breeders, and pet stores to check whether an individual has been convicted of animal abuse when the individual applies to work or volunteer, or purchases or adopts an animal. Establishes penalties. Prevents persons convicted of animal cruelty from possessing, owning, or working in close proximity to animals. Requires police officers to be trained in identifying and investigating animal abuse.

Specifies a customer has the right to rescind a deferred deposit by returning the principal amount used to fund the deferred deposit within a specified time frame. Permits customers to convert a deferred deposit into an installment loan plan in certain circumstances and specifies requirements for the installment loan plan. Protects against harmful collection practices. Defines annual percentage rate. Requires a check casher to post a notice informing customers that additional options may be available for safe, regulated, lower-cost, small dollar loans. Requires a check casher to provide a written agreement to a customer that clearly discloses specific information relating to the cost and fees associated with the deferred deposit, among other things. Caps the annual percentage rate at thirty-six per cent for deferred deposit of a personal check. Permits prepayment of deferred deposit agreements with no additional fees.

Creates a $50,000,000 revolving line of credit sub-fund under the umbrella of the green energy market securitization loan fund for any state agency or department to finance energy efficiency measures.

Requires the executive officer and chief counsel of the public utilities commission to annually file a disclosure of financial interests with the state ethics commission and requires these disclosures to be public.

Specifies that the director of public safety shall appoint two, rather than three, deputy directors. Establishes that the position of deputy director of law enforcement for the department of public safety shall be appointed in the manner specified in section 6, article V, of the State Constitution.

Authorizes the counties to adopt ordinances to legalize marijuana cultivation, possession, sale, transfer, and use, for persons over the age of twenty-one. Clarifies that penal code provisions pertaining to drug and intoxicating compounds offenses do not apply to counties that have adopted ordinances legalizing marijuana and adopted administrative rules to regulate marijuana.

Requires all elections to be conducted by mail beginning in 2020. Provides places of deposit for personal delivery of mail-in ballots and ensures a limited number of voter service centers in each county to remain open on the day of election to accommodate voters with special needs and to receive personal delivery of absentee, permanent absentee, and mail-in ballots. Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the election by mail program.

Requires health insurance coverage for case management services by qualified mental health providers for victims of sexual violence and abuse. Takes effect on 6/1/2050. (SD2)