AB 1902: Increasing the Statute of Limitations for Individuals Seeking Legal Action

• Extends the statute of limitations, from 2 to 3 years, for anyone wanting to seek legal action.
• Applies to residents who lived within 12 miles of the SoCalGas Aliso Canyon Facility between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016.

AB 1903: Long-Term Health Study

• Mandates a long-term health impact study.
• Will evaluate exposure to chemicals including methane, benzene, mercaptan, and others.
• Will study individuals who lived within 12 miles of the SoCalGas Aliso Canyon facility.

AB 1904: Health Impact of Odorants (Mercaptan) Study

• Mandates the Department of Toxic Substances Control to evaluate mercaptan and the human health effects.
• Will determine if there are alternative odorants with a lower risk to human and environmental health.

AB 1905: Independent Peer-Review of the Natural Gas Industry

• Study will review storage and extraction of natural gas.
• Look at improving environmental health and human safety standards near urban areas.

Thus far, I am happy to let you know AB 1903, 1904, and 1905 have passed their respective policy committees. Unfortunately, AB 1902 and it recently failed in committee along party lines.

Along with my legislative package, I have joined some of my colleagues in coauthoring other bills aimed at addressing the fallout from Aliso Canyon and finding ways we can prevent disasters like it from happening in the future.
These bills will ensure accountability, protect public health and safety and implement best practices to prevent another disaster like the leak at the Aliso Canyon storage facility.

SB 380: Moratorium on Any New Aliso Canyon Injections

• Will place immediate moratorium on any new injections of natural gas at Aliso Canyon.
• Must be considered safe by DOGGR, CPUC, CEC and outside experts.

SB 887: Preventing Another Disaster

• Will strengthen regulations of gas storage facilities.
• Requires all natural gas storage facilities to be inspected within the next 12 months.
• Requires new aggressive leak prevention and response plans.

SB 888: Polluters, Not the Public, Pay for Damages

• Designates CalOES as the single point of accountability and responsibility in future state disasters like Aliso Canyon.
• Requires all public health and environmental damage to be paid from utility profits, not to be transferred to ratepayers.
• Requires all housing, relocation, and emergency response costs to be paid from utility profits as well, not be transferred to ratepayers.

ACA 11: Public Utility Reform Act of 2016

• Would reform the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and modernize their role.
• ACA 11 would place an initiative before Californian voters that would remove the constitutional protections currently enjoyed by the CPUC

ACR 110: Korean-American Day

• Names January 13, 2016 Korean-American Day to recognize the great contributions Korean Americans have made in California.

ACR 134: Simi Valley Police Officer Michael Clark Memorial Overcrossing

• Designates the First Street Overcrossing at the 118 Freeway in Simi Valley as the “Simi Valley Police Officer Michael Clark Memorial Overcrossing.”

AB 1566: Increasing Government Accountability

• In light of a recent LA Times article which revealed the High-Speed Rail Authority intentionally withheld $9 billion from a business plan they presented to the Legislature, AB 1566 will hold state agencies and heads of state departments civilly liable for reports they submit to the Legislature or Executive Branch.

AB 1648: Allowing Free Access and Sharing of Public Records

• Will guarantee taxpayers have full access to all public records, including the ability to share, distribute, and publish any public record.

AB 1866: Shift High-Speed Rail Funds to Water

• After little to no progress, constant delays, and deceptive cost estimates, AB 1866 will give voters the chance in November 2016 to terminate the sale of bonds for the High-Speed Rail and repurpose them to fund badly needed state water projects.

AB 1986: CEMEX Protest Period

• This bill would allow community members and legislators the opportunity to make a case to state regulators as to why the mega mine would be disastrous to the Santa Clarita Valley.
• AB 1986 will work not only to protect the water supply, air quality, and beauty of the environment, but will also ensure we maintain a high quality of life for people living within our communities.

Early in March, I spoke at the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges about the importance and uniqueness of California’s community colleges – and of course about College of the Canyons.

[Click here for my obituary honoring Nancy Reagan in the Simi Valley Acorn.]
My heart is broken by the news of the passing of former First Lady Nancy Reagan. She carried herself with dignity and grace. She deserves as much credit as President Reagan for the restoration of our great nation. Vanessa and I were fortunate to be invited to attend her funeral at the Ronald Reagan Library, and this experience deeply impacted me as I was greatly influenced by Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Nancy, rest in peace.

I spoke to the Ventura County Leadership Academy about my Assembly experience and legislative priorities – thank you VCLA for having me.

Over 100 community leaders from Santa Clarita joined KHTS AM-1220 for the 11 ^th annual Sacramento Road Trip to address a variety of issues at the Capitol, including education, transportation, and mental health.

It’s my honor to recognize Tami Edwards as the 38 ^th Assembly District’s Woman of the Year for 2016. Tami’s passion and commitment to serving our community made it an easy decision. Her SCV TV show – SCV Today – highlights many non-profits and makes sure residents are aware of the challenges facing our community. Congratulations Tami!

Congratulations to Sierra Vista Junior High School on their 50 ^th Anniversary this year. I had a great time recognizing their outstanding work over all these years. Attendees were honored to hear from Dr. Dave Baker, Sierra Vista’s founding principal.

I had the honor of presenting CSU Channel Islands President Richard Rush with a resolution for his retirement. President Rush is the founding president of CSU Channel Islands and has served our college students and community for over 15 years.

I had a good time speaking in late March at the California Podiatric Medical Association’s Legislative Leadership Conference on my legislative goals for healthcare in California.

04/14/2016
Revved Up- Free Car Show
7:00pm-10:00pm
Location: Old Town Newhall
Old Town Newhall
Main Street
Old Town Newhall CA
For more Information: Click Here
http://oldtownnewhall.com

04/17/2016
5K Run Walk/1K Kids Fun Run/5K Mutt Strut
8:00am-1:00pm
Location: Newhall Park
24923 Newhall Avenue
Newhall, CA 91321
For more information: Click Here
http://www.active.com/newhall-ca/running/distance-running-races/assistance-league-operation-school-bell-5k-run-walk-1k-kids-run-and-5k-mutt-strut-2015

04/18/2016
32nd Annual Oak Tree Golf Classic
8:00am
Location: TCP Valencia
26550 Heritage View Lane
 Valencia, CA 91381
For more information: Click Here
http://www.scvchamber.com/oak-tree-golf-classic.html

04/20-24^th/2016
Cowboy Festival
10:00am-10:00pm each day
Location: Old Town Newhall
Old Town Newhall
Main Street
Old Town Newhall CA
For more information: Click Here
http://cowboyfestival.org

04/23/2016
Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival
12:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Reyes Winery
10262 Sierra Highway
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
For more Information: Click Here
http://reyeswinery.com/events/spv-winefestival

04/24/2016
Gator Run
7:00AM – 1:00PM
Location: Rancho Santa Susana Community Park
5005-C E. Los Angeles Ave
Simi Valley, CA.93063
For more information: Click here
http://members.simivalleychamber.org/events/details/gator-run-8259