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AB 35 Would Have Doubled California’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program

(San Francisco, CA) – Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and affordable housing advocates issued the following statement on Governor Brown’s veto today of a bill jointly authored by Chiu and Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) that would have more than doubled funding for the state’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. Assembly Bill 35 would have increased the program by $100 million, which would have leveraged an additional $200 million in federal low income housing tax credits and tax exempt housing bonds, as well as over a half billion dollars of additional private sector housing capital.

(Sacramento, CA) – Governor Jerry Brown today signed Assembly Bill 775, the Reproductive FACT Act, which would allow women to be aware of the full spectrum of reproductive health care services that are available to them in California. AB 775 is authored by Assemblymembers David Chiu (D – San Francisco) and Autumn Burke (D – Inglewood).

At a time when reproductive rights are under attack nationwide, California has adopted the nation's first state bill taking on anti-choice crisis pregnancy centers. AB 775 requires that unlicensed facilities that provide pregnancy-related services disclose that they are not licensed medical providers. Licensed reproductive health clinics must notify patients that California has programs to help them access affordable family planning, abortion services and prenatal care. The bill is sponsored by Attorney General Kamala Harris, NARAL Pro-Choice California and Black Women for Wellness.

SACRAMENTO-The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) today announced the availability of $15 million for Immigration Services funding for qualified nonprofit organizations. This funding is included in the state budget approved earlier this year by the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown.

"When our immigrant communities come out of the shadows, California becomes economically empowered," said Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Policy Chair Assemblymember David Chiu (D - San Francisco). "However, our Asian American immigrants experience serious challenges navigating our broken immigration system and don't apply for deferred action programs at the same rate as other immigrant communities. This funding is a critical investment in the organizations that serve our diverse communities, and we encourage all eligible organizations to apply."

AB 404 Will Empower California Community Colleges, Faculty and Students in Accrediting Agency Review Process

(Sacramento, CA) – Assembly Bill 404, authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D – San Francisco) and sponsored by the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC), was signed into law today by Governor Brown.  Under the law, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges will solicit anonymous system-wide feedback from community college stakeholders on the performance of the regional agency that accredits community colleges. That crucial input will now be transmitted to the federal body that oversees and reviews accrediting agencies, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI).

AB 1236 will streamline and expedite the permitting of crucial EV infrastructure

(Sacramento, CA) – Governor Brown today signed Assembly Bill 1236 by Assemblymember David Chiu (D – San Francisco), which will help increase the number of California's electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and reduce auto emissions. AB 1236 was jointly authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell).

“Getting more people to drive electric vehicles depends on having a place to plug in,” said Assemblymember Chiu. “Zero emission vehicles are a crucial part of a healthier and cleaner California. Our state is outpacing the rest of the nation in terms of EV ownership, but without this legislation we are setting ourselves up for failure.”

AB 959 Will Help Ensure LGBT Communities are Counted

AB 960 Will Extend Legal Protections to All Families Using Assisted Reproduction

(Sacramento, CA) – Governor Jerry Brown today signed two bills authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) that will improve the lives of LGBT Californians. Assembly Bill 959, the LGBT Disparities Reduction Act, will ensure that LGBT individuals are fully recognized and counted by the state for health resources and services. Assembly Bill 960, the Equal Protection for All Families Act, updates California’s assisted reproduction laws so that all families are equally protected by law.

AB 1096 Updates Regulations for Healthy and Environmentally-Friendly Transportation Option

(Sacramento, CA) – Governor Brown today signed Assembly Bill 1096 by Assemblymember David Chiu (D – San Francisco), which will help foster the use of electric bicycles while ensuring public safety and simplifying enforcement.

“Electric bicycles are poised to become another healthy, environmentally-friendly way to get around for Californians,” said Assemblymember Chiu. “Modernizing laws around e-bikes will help us encourage their safe use by new and experienced bicyclists. We appreciate Governor Brown’s signature on this bill.”

SACRAMENTO – Governor Brown today signed legislation to provide better language access to California’s workers’ compensation system. Assembly Bill 438, authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D – San Francisco), will require the Division of Workers’ Compensation within the Department of Industrial Relations to translate critical forms and fact sheets into Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese. This is the first time these documents will be translated into these languages.

AB 1287 Makes Permanent a Program to Keep Transit-Only Lanes Clear of Double-Parked Vehicles

SACRAMENTO – Governor Brown yesterday signed Assembly Bill 1287 by Assemblymember David Chiu (D – San Francisco), which will make permanent a program in San Francisco that helps to keep transit-only lanes clear of double-parked vehicles. The Transit-Only Lane Enforcement Program, or TOLE, was first authorized as a pilot program in 2007, and extended in 2011, by legislation authored by then-Assemblywoman and current Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma.

“Muni has to go faster than 8 miles an hour,” said Assemblymember Chiu. “As we increase service on Muni and our economy continues to grow, we have to make sure that our transit system can operate efficiently and reliably. Everyone who rides Muni in San Francisco appreciates the Governor’s support of this bill.”