Portantino Bills Advance in Senate

The State Senate Appropriations Committee today approved five bills
authored by Assemblymember Anthony, who represents part of Monrovia.
The measures range from increasing early detection of breast cancer to
open government legislation. The bills now go to the Senate floor
before heading to the Governor's desk for signature later this month.

AB 137 – Breast Cancer Screenings
Ensures that more woman have access to mammograms by eliminating
outdated age guidelines. The bill allows women to have a mammogram
based on their medical situation.

AB 1527 - Firearms
Prohibits open carry of unloaded long guns, such as rifles and
shotguns, in incorporated cities, making it a misdemeanor to open
carry punishable by six months in jail and $1000 fine. This is a
follow-up to last year's AB 144, which prohibits the open carry of
unloaded handguns in public places.

AB 1956 - Tattoo Removal
Allows individuals who have been tattooed for the purpose of human
trafficking or prostitution to be eligible for free tattoo removal
programs. Too often, young women are tattooed by pimps who turn them
out as prostitutes. It is a perverse form of branding that leaves the
women marked as property.

AB 2086 - Legislative License Plates
Amends the Vehicle Code to require active and retired legislators with
legislative license plates to pay the same fees that apply to
specialty (vanity) license plates. Average Californians pay $50 on
issuance and $35 yearly with their registration. Retired firefighters
and police pay the state an annual fee to obtain specialty plates that
show proper respect for their lifetime of work. However, current law
allows legislators to receive similar plates without paying the state
an annual fee. The DMV estimates that more than 700 such plates have
been issued.

AB 2162 - Political Reform Act Financial Reporting
Updates the various reporting categories for Statement of Economic
Interest forms for government officials. Form 700 must be filed by
legislators, employees and state and local officials to more
accurately reflect their financial holdings. These levels have not
been changed since the Political Reform Act was first passed in 1974.
This bill brings greater transparency to the process by updating the
categories and dollar amounts.

Source: Portantino press release


- Brad Haugaard