San Jose Legislative Success: San Jose representatives in Sacramento had a productive term, with many bills making it to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. These new laws cover a wide range of topics, from housing to public health to voting rights. Here’s a review of some of the significant bills signed into law:
Alex Lee:
– AB 1490: Increases the supply of affordable housing by providing developer incentives.
– AB 1503: Allows students an excused full day for religious retreats per semester.
– AB 604: Ensures mobile home residents aren’t charged unfair water service fees.
– AB 664: Requires landlords to ensure safe drinking water for tenants.
Aisha Wahab:
– SB 555: Identifies pathways for 1.4 million homes to be transformed into affordable housing.
– SB 464: Expands the rights of victims and survivors of sexual assault.
– SB 465: Increases access to resources and information for refugees.
David Cortese:
– Secured $11 million for local investments, including a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program.
– SB 10: Seeks to combat the opioid crisis in schools.
– SB 69 and SB 406: Eliminates duplicate reviews for affordable housing plans and reduces red tape in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Also Read: Bulacan Votes for Urban Transformation: The Decision on San Jose del Monte’s City Status
Evan Low:
– AB 1371: Prohibits convicted rapists from fulfilling community service near minors.
– AB 28: Imposes an 11% tax on firearms and ammunition to fund gun violence prevention.
– AB 341: Limits the opening and expansion of cardrooms in San Jose.
Ash Kalra:
– AB 58: Allows deferred judgment options for eligible defendants.
– AB 1414: Protects consumers from predatory debt collectors.
– Focused on criminal justice reform, with 11 bills signed into law.
Gail Pellerin:
– AB 545: Expands accessibility for voters with curbside voting at all polling places.
– AB 626: Allows voters to return mail-in ballots at polling places.
Marc Berman:
– AB 537: Prohibits hidden fees in hotel pricing.
– AB 948: Makes the $250 co-pay cap for a 30-day prescription permanent.
– AB 1539: Makes it a misdemeanor to vote in an election in California and another state on the same date.
These new laws reflect a wide range of issues addressed by San Jose representatives, from affordable housing to criminal justice reform and election accessibility.
Our Reader’s Queries
What is something special about San Jose?
San José, founded in 1777, is California’s oldest civilian settlement and the largest city in Northern California by population. It also holds the distinction of being one of the safest big cities in America and was the site of California’s first state capital.
Who built San Jose?
The Costanoan Indians were already residing in the region when European explorers arrived in the mid-18th century. In 1777, José Joaquin Moraga established the first civic settlement in California, which was a Spanish farming community. The settlement was named Pueblo de San José de Guadalupé in honor of St. Joseph (San José).