5 CA Bills Lawmakers Will Weigh This Month

CALIFORNIA — Golden State lawmakers have been deliberating on swaths of bills in recent days and they have less than two weeks to decide whether they will advance.

Legislation that doesn't pass by Aug. 31 will sit idle until the start of the next legislative session in 2023. Many proposals have already advanced, such as Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to compel Californians experiencing homelessness into mental and substance abuse treatment, a bill to allow for the composting of human remains and an increase in family leave payments for low wage workers.

Newsom has also signed a few bills into law surrounding some of the most controversial issues of the year. Assembly Bill 1594, which will take effect next summer, authorizes the state attorney general, city or county attorneys and victims of gun violence to bring civil action against firearm industry members who violate the standard of conduct.

Another bill signed into law by Newsom will help protect abortion providers and patietiets from out of state legal action.

Here a handful of bills the state legislature must decide on in the coming days.

1. Abortion Practical Support Fund

Senate Bill 1142 awaits a vote from the state assembly after passing 29-9 in the Senate. The bill would increase patient access to abortion and expand equitability to research.

2. Fast Food Labor Council

Assembly Bill 257, authored by a former Subway franchisee, would require the state to assemble a council to oversee working conditions at fast food chain restaurants. It passed the Assembly 41-27 earlier this year.

3. The Feather Alert

Assembly Bill 1314 would establish an alert similar to an Amber Alert, but this alarm system would be for if an indigenous person has been reported missing.

4. Time Extension For Alcohol Sales

Senate Bill 930 would launch a 5-year pilot program across several cities in California to extend the sale of alcohol at bars from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. Cathedral City, Coachella, Fresno, Oakland, Palm Springs, West Hollywood, and San Francisco would be the cities the program would start in.

5. Segregated Jail And Prison Confinements

Assembly Bill 2632 would eradicate "segregated confinement" areas in jails and prisons for people with developmental, mental or physical disabilities. This also includes those under 26 and older than 59 years old.