Political Landscape:

SB 354, Contractors State Licensing Board, provides that a licensed contractor who has aided or abetted an unlicensed contractor in evading state requirements shall be subject to an order to pay for injuries.

SB 425, Public Safety Omnibus, makes numerous technical, non-substantive changes to code sections relating to public safety.

SB 539, Trial Court Trust Fund, revises the mandate that requires entities to remit payments to the State Trial Court Trust Fund and revise the penalty assessment for delinquent payments.

SB 655, Inmates Tobacco and Cell Phones, criminalizes the possession of tobacco products and electronic devices within a county jail.

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Vetoed:

SB 789, Surplus Property, would have authorized the transfer of a specified property from the Chino Valley Unified School District to the city of Chino Hills.

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Signed:

AB 258, Marine Debris, requires manufacturers of pre-production plastic pellets known as “nurdles” to use proper housekeeping procedures for handling and disposal of the pellets to avoid spillage and release to the environment. The bill calls for significant penalties against businesses that fail to take precautions against allowing pellets to enter the storm water system.

AB 921, Public Social Services Hearings, extends the time frame during which recipients of public social services can file a complaint regarding the services to secure a hearing. Existing law requires complaints to be filed within 90 days of the incident.

AB 949, Burbank Gardens/Nursing Home Reform, requires a licensed residential care facility for the elderly — prior to transferring a resident to another facility or to an independent living arrangement as a result of the forfeiture of a license, or a change of use of the facility — to take all reasonable steps to transfer affected residents safely and minimize possible trauma by taking specified actions relating to resident notification, transfer and relocation planning.

AB 1013, Weapons/Nuisance Eviction, authorizes prosecutors to bring eviction actions against gang members who use their residences to stockpile illegal weapons and ammunition.

AB 1307, Public Employee Benefits, allows individuals employed by a company that contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System to contribute to the program.