Sacramento – The Assembly today approved Assemblymember Chris Holden’s (D-Pasadena) legislation to promote California livestock, vegetables, fruits and nuts.
Under Holden’s AB 199 Choose California Act, state agencies, public schools districts and public colleges would be encouraged to give California agriculture producers priority when purchasing food products.
AB 72 Municipal Water District Start Dates
Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill to standardize the start date of newly elected Municipal Water District Directors has been approved by the State Legislature and is now on its way to Governor Brown for signature. It is the first bill from freshman Assemblymember and Majority Whip Holden (D-Pasadena) to pass the legislative process.
Assemblymember Holden applauded his colleagues’ bipartisan support “for this common sense, good government bill designed to limit the ‘lame duck’ term for outgoing Water District Directors.” Holden added, “This bill will ensure water districts are able to move swiftly between terms and critical business is not delayed unnecessarily.”
Pasadena – Assemblymember Chris Holden has named Joe Fransen and Awards by Champion as the 41st Assembly District Small Business of the Year. Fransen will be recognized at ceremonies in Sacramento on June 10.
“I am pleased to recognize Joe Fransen for his dedication and hard work in San Dimas and the San Gabriel Valley,” stated Assemblymember Holden. “Joe is a success not only because of his business acumen, but because he gives back to the community through the countless hours he contributes in both San Dimas and La Verne.”
Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) released the following statement on Governor Brown's May Revise to the state budget which includes language in a trailer bill that is largely due to Assemblymember Holden's AB 1065 - modifying prison realignment:
"I introduced Assembly Bill 1065 this legislative year because of strong concerns with criminal justice realignment. Assembly Bill 1065 requires individuals released from prison that were previously certified as a mentally disordered offender (MDO) to be subject to state parole supervision instead of post-release community supervision by the county.
Sacramento - "I was extremely disappointed today that my effort to improve care for seriously mentally ill offenders was defeated in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
I think it's important to understand that under prison realignment the continuity and quality of mental health treatment for Mentally Disordered Offenders is jeopardized when these individuals are forced to transfer from State care to County care which often lacks the resources to treat these patients," said Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena).
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Chris Holden's bill to ensure consumers have a choice in their pharmacy health plans has been overwhelmingly approved (7 to 2) in the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protections Committee.
AB 299 follows reports earlier this year that health insurer Anthem Blue Cross was going to require thousands of its California patients with chronic diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV/AIDS to buy prescription drugs from a mail order pharmacy. Anthem has since backed off while they reevaluate the requirement. But Assemblymember Holden felt it was important to go ahead with the legislation to ensure consumers have a choice.
Sacramento – The Assembly Agriculture Committee today heard testimony on Assemblymember Chris Holden’s legislation to ensure that California fruit, nuts, livestock and vegetables are given priority when it comes to state purchasing.
Under Holden’s AB 199 Choose California Act, state agencies would be required to give California agriculture producers priority when purchasing food products if the price is within 5% of the lowest out-of-state competitor. School districts would have to purchase California grown products as long as they aren’t more expensive than out-of-state products.
AB 250 iHub Accelerator Fund
Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) hopes to expand on the state’s iHub innovation network with a new plan to create economic opportunities for pioneering start-up companies. It’s part of his legislation (AB 250) that was overwhelmingly approved with bi-partisan support today in the Assembly Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy Committee.
AB 250 would allow emerging technology companies an opportunity to partner with the state to demonstrate new innovative technologies on underutilized state properties.
“We want to put the state in a position to cultivate and incubate young companies that are developing new technologies,” explained Assemblymember Holden. “Our goal is to foster greater collaboration between innovators and investment opportunities within the state.”
AB 199 “Choose California Act”
Sacramento - Assemblymember Chris Holden's (D-Pasadena) bill to help California farmers and boost the state's agricultural economy has been approved in the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee – and just in time. A recent news article reported that California's dairy farmers are being wooed by other states.
"It just makes sense to put California-grown crops, livestock and dairy first," said Assemblymember Holden. "When I read that dairy farmers were being lured by other states with friendlier business climates, I knew we were on the right track with this legislation.
AB 139 – Domestic Violence Fees - A Technicality that Makes a Difference
Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden’s AB 139 that strengthens penalties that abusers are required to pay to ensure that more funding is available to domestic violence shelters was overwhelmingly approved today in the Assembly – the first piece of legislation heard on the floor this session.
AB 139 clears up a technicality in order to provide more funds for local domestic violence shelters. The bill stipulates that those convicted of domestic violence must pay a minimum $500 fee – not a fine – before they are granted probation. This clarification is important because it would ensure the Legislature’s intent to use portions of the $500 fee to generate funding for local domestic violence programs.
