Sacramento, California - Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia reports that three of his bills made advances:
Medi-Cal Non-Emergency medical Transportation: AB 2394 passed the Assembly on a Floor vote of 73-0 and now heads to the Senate. The bill clarifies that non-emergency medical transportation is a Medi-Cal benefit and includes roundtrip transportation for members to obtain covered Medi-Cal services.
“Families who live in rural areas spend several hours on a one-way trip to see their health care provider,” said Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia. “AB 2394 would ensure low-income beneficiaries have access to medical care by allowing Medi-Cal recipients to be reimbursed for transportation to and from the doctor.”
Supplemental Environmental Projects: AB 2781 also passed the Assembly Floor on a vote of 72-0. This bill will direct 10% of all penalties collected by the California Environmental Protection Agency to be deposited into a newly established disadvantaged community fund. The purpose of this fund is to ensure that the community where these violations are happening are benefiting from mitigation projects.
“As the Assemblymember that represents the Coachella and Imperial Valleys, I know first-hand that many of our communities continue to be disproportionately burdened by pollution. Unfortunately, polluters in many cases rather pay the fine then clean up the contamination,” said Garcia. “AB 2781 will establish a disadvantaged community fund to help ensure mitigation dollars are being directed to communities who require the most need.”
Community Revitalization: AB 2492 cleared the Assembly Floor on a vote of 51-29. Under existing law, local agencies are authorized to form community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs) in order to promote economic redevelopment and revitalization. AB 2492 would make certain changes to assist in the implementation of the CRIA law.
“I want to thank my colleague Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Watsonville) for working so diligently on AB 2492,” said Garcia. “This bill will ensure our local agencies have the tools necessary to address distressed and blighted communities.”
