Bills Are with Governor Now. What’s On His Desk?

By: Shaun Rundle, Executive Director.

The Legislature had a strict deadline of August 31^st, to send all bills to Governor Newsom. The governor now has until September 30^th to sign or veto each measure. Among the pieces of legislation on this desk awaiting action, are bills covering officer hate group activity, peace officer citizenship, catalytic converter theft and more.

The public safety profession did also witness, however, some legislative wins in 2022 by killing bills before they could even reach the governor. Through tireless efforts by CPOA and our partner advocacy groups, legislators were swayed one way or the other. Recent headlines also dictate good and bad policy.

Due to the above circumstances, the below bills failed to pass the August 31^st deadline to go to Governor Newsom.

• AB 937 (immigration enforcement/communications)
• AB 1608 (separation of sheriff and coroner)
• AB 1713 (allowing bicyclists to yield at stop signs)
• SB 262 ($0/return of bail)
• SB 300 (repeals felony murder for convictions of first-degree murder but were not the actual killer)

Of the legislation that did pass the Senate and Assembly, these bills have been sent to him for signature or veto.

AB 655

Would require that background investigation include an inquiry into whether a candidate for specified peace officer positions has engaged in membership in a hate group, participation in any hate group activity, or advocacy of public expressions of hate, as specified, and as those terms are defined.

AB 1613

Expands the territorial jurisdiction in which the Attorney General can prosecute specified theft offenses and associated offenses connected together in their commission to the underlying theft offenses.

AB 2000

Expands the crimes of motor vehicle exhibition of speed and speed contest on highways to include occurrences in parking lots.

AB 2537

Requires DOJ, in conjunction with DMV and POST, to develop and create a video demonstrating the proper conduct by a peace officer and an individual during a traffic stop.

SB 1044

Describes circumstances where an employer of first responders cannot retaliate or threaten adverse action against personnel who refuse to report to, or who leave a workplace when they feel unsafe.

SB 1087

Sets requirements for tracking catalytic converter methods of payment, sale, and transfer.

 

While bills await the governor’s action, CPOA and other law enforcement organization’s ability to lobby them become less visible. We must make our case to the governor’s legislative staff why each bill should be signed or vetoed.