Sacramento, California - Six bills authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D- Coachella) passed the Senate Appropriation Committee Suspense File. The bills now head to the Senate Floor for approval. Topping his bill list are three local measures:
AB 2414 Desert Healthcare District Expansion: This bill will allow the expansion of the existing Desert Healthcare District to include the East Coachella Valley region to help expand access to healthcare services.
“Today’s hearing takes us one step closer to ensure that the Desert Healthcare District serves all of the Coachella Valley,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “Eastern Coachella Valley stakeholders believe that expanding the current healthcare district is the best way to address persistent healthcare needs in our community,” Garcia concluded.
AB 2444 Park Bond: This bill places the California Parks, Water, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act on the November 8, 2018 ballot, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize $2 billion to finance parks and outdoor access programs.
“This bond will serve as a model for the rest of the nation,” explained Garcia. “It has a strong emphasis on getting money to park poor and disadvantaged communities.”
AB 197 State Air Resources Board: Greenhouse Gases: This bill brings about greater equity, transparency, public accountability and focus to future climate change policies. In order for California to remain an economic and environmental leader the state will need to also be a leader on issues related to equity. Placing the health and economic impacts of climate policy on vulnerable populations second will stunt the state’s prosperity.
AB 2056 Cal Grants: This bill requires the California Student Aid Commission to provide guidance to school districts so the verification of graduation for high school seniors be submitted no later than August 31st following the academic year. The purpose of this date is to ensure pupils who must complete summer school as a requirement for graduation are not excluded from Cal Grant awards.
AB 2394 Non-Emergency Medical Transportation: This bill would ensure low-income beneficiaries in rural areas have access to medical care. This will allow Medi-Cal recipients to be reimbursed for transportation to and from the doctor.
AB 2900 Small Business Centers Reporting: This bill requires a state department that awards funds to a federal small business technical assistance center to report to the Legislature in the following year. Among other data, the department would be required to report on the number of businesses assisted, industry sectors of those businesses, and the general geographic location.
In addition to the above bills, Assemblymember Garcia co-authored the following bills that also are headed to the Assembly Floor for further deliberation:
SB 32 (Pavley): This bill requires the Air Resources Board to approve statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits 2050.
AB 1046 (Hill): This bill, effective July 1, 2018, and until January 1, 2025, requires installation of an ignition interlock device a period of time as a mandatory condition of receiving a restricted or reinstated driver’s license for all driving-under-the-influence offenders statewide.
AB 1561 (Cristina Garcia): This bill establishes a sales and use tax exemption for tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, and menstrual sponges.
AB 2016 (Alejo): This bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to oversee the development of a model curriculum in ethnic studies.
