For Immediate Release – Office of State Senator Josh Becker – Friday, May 21, 2021
Bills by Senator Becker on Climate Action, the Digital Divide, Justice Reform and Voter Equity Clear the Senate Appropriations Committee
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Appropriations Committee, the upper house panel that serves as the gatekeeper of legislation with a potential fiscal impact to the state, passed nine bills by Senator Josh Becker this week, advancing key measures in the Peninsula Democrat’s 2021 legislative portfolio.
“I’m grateful for the support from of my colleagues on bills that will help California slash greenhouse gas emissions, meet our clean energy goals, bridge the digital gap in education, enhance access to civil and criminal justice, address vote equity issues, and more,” said Senator Becker, the vice chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies.
“To me, the committee’s actions Thursday affirmed the value my legislation brings to California’s efforts to strengthen the resilience of our environment, economy, education and justice systems, and our communities. When they are strong, these elements are the foundations for opportunity and must be accessible to everyone. My bills would lift barriers to success.”
Here are the bills by Senator Becker that the Appropriations Committee passed:
Climate Action
The Net-Zero Concrete and Cement Bill, Senate Bill 596
SB 596 would help California sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the production of concrete and its main ingredient, cement. Worldwide, the industry that produces these vital building elements accounts for almost 8 percent of global emissions. SB 596 sets a 2045 target date in California for carbon neutral cement and concrete, with a 40% emissions reduction by 2030. The bill would firmly establish the Golden State as a leader in concrete innovation.
Making Zero- and Low-Emission Vehicles More Accessible, SB 771
SB 771 would give lower income Californians a state sales tax break when replacing an older vehicle by purchasing a new or used electric or hybrid car under the Clean Cars 4 All program. SB 771 provides program participants the added incentive of an exemption from the state portion of sales tax, while leaving the portion of sales tax that would go to local governments intact. “Transportation is the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California,” Senator Becker said. “We must help lower income communities afford electric vehicles and high-mileage hybrids that will help save families money and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while helping our state lower GHG emissions.”
Clearing the Path to Clean Energy Homes, SB 68
SB 68 would make it easier for owners to convert their property into electricity-powered homes and buildings. The bill aims to lower costs and reduce delays for property owners seeking to upgrade their electric panels to accommodate electric heating, car charging, solar, and energy storage. The bill calls for supporting technology development through the California Energy Commission’s EPIC program and pushing utilities to complete panel upgrades faster. The bill also directs the Energy Commission to research and publish best practices so that electrification can be accomplished more efficiently by all stakeholders involved in the process.
Bridging the Digital Divide in K-12 Education
The Digital Education Equity Program, SB 767
SB 767 establishes the Digital Education Equity Program, DEEP, to equitably provide education technology, network and professional development support to all California public school districts. “This is a step toward closing the digital divide in California schools,” said Senator Becker. In many schools, educators don’t have access to the information and professional development they need to cost-effectively plan for and implement technology that supports instruction. SB 767 directs the Department of Education, along with County Offices of Education, to plan and implement DEEP.
Justice and Voter Equity Legislation
The Better & Equitable Sentencing Through Thoughtful Practices Act, SB 775
SB 775 would clarify existing law so that people who are convicted of attempted murder, yet are the least culpable in such cases, have the right to petition for sentences that better align with their crimes. Current law allows others convicted of heavier charges to seek modified sentences while preventing the least culpable from doing so. This reform would aid hundreds of incarcerated people who were deemed by courts to be excluded from this opportunity based on a legal technicality. The BESTT Practices Act would also help thousands of others who have not filed petitions because of the court rulings.
Expanding Access to Civil Court Fee Waivers, SB 355
Inspired by Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto and backed by more than a dozen legal aid and advocacy groups, SB 355 would improve access to civil justice by updating the eligibility criteria for low-income Californians seeking a waiver of filing fees and other costs associated with litigation. The current criteria for automatically qualifying for a waiver are tied to the federal poverty level, which does not accurately reflect the true cost of living for California residents.
Signature Verification Standards for Mail-In Ballots, SB 503
SB 503 would implement a uniform statewide standard for signature verification of mail-in ballots, timely outreach to voters whose ballots are rejected, and periodic reporting about the nature of those rejections. Challenged signatures disproportionately impact the most vulnerable Californians -- those with limited English proficiency, people living with disabilities, first-time and aging voters, and voters of color. SB 503 codifies and builds on the California Secretary of State’s emergency regulations for the November 2020 election to ensure every eligible vote is counted.
Voter Registration Equity, SB 504
SB 504 ensures Californians who were involved with the criminal justice system and have paid their debt to society are not inadvertently removed from voter rolls. The bill also ensures that members of the military, other Californians overseas and individuals living with disabilities have equal access to remote same-day voter registration as other Californians.
Simplifying Opportunities for Small Cities to Partner on Road Projects
Allowing Small Cities to Pool Their SB 1 Dollars, SB 640
Inspired by the city of Belmont, SB 640 authorizes local governments to jointly sponsor local street and road projects funded by the Road Repair and Accountability Act, SB 1 in 2017. SB 640 enables small cities to pool their SB 1 dollars to bid jointly for a project involving a thoroughfare that runs through multiple jurisdictions. Teaming up on such projects saves local governments time and money by avoiding delays and piecemeal road improvements.
The next hurdle for the nine bills is to reach the Senate floor for a vote that could allow them to advance to the Assembly. June 4 is the deadline for Senate bills to be passed in their house of origin.
“My goal is to bring as many bills to a vote by the full Senate as possible,” said Senator Becker.
Four bills by the senator have already been passed by the Senate and await legislative review in the Assembly:
SB 591 would spur creation of affordable housing to accommodate senior citizens and transition-age foster youth by clearing the way for financing of intergenerational housing development projects.
SB 778 would close the legal loopholes that impede creation of accessory dwelling units – units also known as ADUs, in-laws and granny flats – in mixed use and multifamily residential buildings.
SB 779 would encourage more “earn and learn” opportunities for training paired with employment for veterans, the unhoused, people exiting the justice system, and other vulnerable jobseekers who are often shut out of the workforce.
SB 786 would allow the Santa Clara Valley Water District to propose general obligation bonds to voters, allow Valley Water to issue revenue bonds based on net revenue, and updates the district’s short-term debt cap to be on par with the district’s current size. Now serving about 2 million Santa Clara County residents, the district was formed in 1929 and currently operates under a District Act enacted in 1951. SB 786 would update the 70-year-old policy.
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Media Contact: Leslie Guevarra, leslie.guevarra@sen.ca.gov, 415-298-3404