CA Latino Caucus Unveils 2015 Priority Legislation

April 08, 2015

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) and Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), Chair and Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, announced the Caucus’ 2015 priority legislation.

“The 22 members of the Latino Caucus are committed to improving the quality of life for all working families in California,” states Assemblymember Alejo. “Our legislative priorities reinforce our belief that addressing the issues that affect Latinos in California – including health care, immigration, civic engagement, energy and economic development – end up helping all Californians.”

The following nine bills are the Latino Caucus’ 2015 priority legislation:

  • SB 4 (LARA) HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR ALL. This bill ensures all Californians, regardless of immigration status, have access to affordable health care coverage.
  • SB 249 (HUESO) CALIFORNIA ENHANCED DRIVER’S LICENSE. This bill allows for the creation of an Enhanced Driver’s License to reduce border wait times and increase economic gain produced by efficient and secure cross-border travel.
  • SB 350 (DE LEÓN) CLEAN ENERGY & POLLUTION REDUCTION ACT OF 2015. This bill seeks to create jobs, grow the state’s economy, and improve public health by raising the renewable portfolio standard, reducing petroleum, and increasing energy efficiency in buildings by the year 2030.
  • AB 2 (ALEJO) COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION AUTHORITY. This bill creates a new state authority capable of investing property tax increments focused on improving employment opportunities, repairing infrastructure, cleaning up brownfields and promoting affordable housing.
  • AB 278 (HERNÁNDEZ) DISTRICT-BASED MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. This bill seeks to increase civic participation by requiring district-based elections for cities whose population meets or exceeds 100,000 residents.
  • AB 560 (GOMEZ) CIVIL ACTIONS: IMMIGRATION STATUS. This bill ensures the protection of minor children from having their immigration status exposed or used when seeking civil recourse or recovery for past intentional or negligent acts that cause harm or suffering.
  • AB 904 (PEREA) CLEAN REUSED VEHICLE REBATE PROJECT. This bill implements a Clean Reused Vehicle Rebate Project, to increase access to clean vehicles by creating a secondary clean vehicle marketplace, which is more affordable for all Californians.
  • AB 1351 (EGGMAN) PRETRIAL DIVERSION FOR MINOR CRIMES. This allows for pre-trial diversion, instead of post-plea deferred entry of judgment, for certain nonviolent, misdemeanor offenses.
  • AB 1461 (GONZALEZ) CALIFORNIA NEW MOTOR VOTER ACT. This bill will register eligible residents to vote when they obtain or renew a driver’s license from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

“Earlier this year, the Caucus gathered for a policy conference to dig deep into the policy issues we face as a state,” said Senator Hueso. “The guiding principles and policy priorities we developed helped guide us as we put together this package of bills. We believe these bills help move all Californians in the right direction.”

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Contact: Michelle Reyes / (916) 319-2030 / Michelle.Reyes@asm.ca.gov