Rural Health Care Access: SB 198 would grant healthcare districts the flexibility needed to consolidate loans and refinance their debt. This bill would assist John C. Fremont Hospital in Mariposa County, which is struggling financially and can only take out lines of credit for five-year periods or less.  In addition to providing a variety of health care services, John C. Fremont is the fourth largest employer in Mariposa County. For more information click here.

Agricultural Tire Waste: SB 230 would give farmers and ranchers an exemption to haul waste tires from agricultural equipment.  Current law requires used or waste tires haulers to be licensed by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.  This law would cut the red tape for hauling waste agricultural tires while still protecting the environment. For more information click here.

Safe and Reliable Water Supply: SB 371 would ensure California has a safe and reliable water supply now and into the future.  The legislation builds upon the Senator’s efforts over the past three and a half years to implement comprehensive reforms to California’s water supply and delivery systems. For more information click here.

Fire Sprinkler Installer Standards: SB 405 would set training standards for fire sprinkler installers. In the coming years, most newly-constructed residential dwellings will be fitted with fire sprinklers. This legislation would provide public safety and consumer protection as the demand for fire sprinkler installers grows. For more information click here.

County Contracting: SB 532 would increase efficiency in county government by increasing the cost limit on purchases and services that can be obtained by a county purchasing agent.  For more information click here.

County Purchasing Agents: SB 533 would help further expedite the procurement of routine supplies and services by increasing the amount of a contract for independent contracting services that a purchasing agent could authorize on behalf of a county board of supervisors. For more information click here.

County Tax Equity: SB 684 would bring equity to the tax dollars Alpine, Lassen, Mariposa, Plumas, Stanislaus and Trinity Counties receive and help local agencies better serve the community. The bill stems from a restructured property tax allocation 30 years ago that put counties that ran efficiently at a financial disadvantage. For more information click here.

Hospital Payment Protection: SB 724 would protect hospitals when state payments stop during a budget stalemate. This bill would create a fund to continue payments to hospitals, thus protecting access to health care within underserved communities. For more information click here.

Tuition for Troops: SB 815 would provide tuition assistance to California National Guard members who attend California public colleges or universities. California is the only state in the nation that does not offer this benefit to National Guard members. For more information click here.