Bills dealing with first responders, social services vetoed by Governor

Governor Jerry Brown vetoed legislation that would have required the state to reimburse first responders who put forth costs in handling the mass shooting in San Bernardino, as well as legislation to help seniors, blind, and disabled residents.

Senate Bill 1385, introduced by Senator Connie Leyva (D-Chino), would have required full reimbursement to law enforcement, fire, and emergency agencies that responded to the shooting that killed 14 people at the Inland Regional Center last December.

The cost of responding to the mass shooting was about $18 million, according to the bill’s text. Leyva’s bill intended to boost the level of state reimbursement for disasters from 75 percent to 100 percent.

While a legislative analysis demonstrated that a reimbursement would cost the state about $1.6 million, Governor Brown explained that the state cannot afford that cost.

“I recognize the unique circumstances of this horrific terrorist attack,” the Governor said in a veto message. “However, this bill sets the expectation that the state will assume all financial responsibility for future emergency costs. The General Fund cannot afford this precedent.”

Assembly Bill 1584, authored by Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino), would have increased Social Security Income/State Supplementary Pay for senior citizens and disabled residents across the state.

Despite expressing disappointment with the Governor’s veto of AB 1584, a bill that the Assemblywoman said would have lifted over one million California seniors and adults with disabilities out of poverty, she remains dedicated to helping senior citizens.

“I will continue to work with [Governor Brown] and my colleagues to fully restore recession era cuts to seniors,” Brown explained. “We have an obligation to ensure our seniors can age with dignity and share in California’s economic recovery.”  

Bills proposed by local legislators that were signed by Brown

Assembly Bill 797 by Assemblymember Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) – Motor vehicles: rescue or provision of care for animal: civil and criminal liability.

Assembly Bill 1773 by Assemblymember Jay P. Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake) – Local government renewable energy self-generation program.

Assembly Bill 1943 by Assemblymember Eric Linder (R-Corona) – Parking: county transportation commissions.

Assembly Bill 2154 by Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside) – Student Aid Commission: student members.

Assembly Bill 2311 by Assemblymember Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino) – Emergency services: access and functional needs in emergencies.

Assembly Bill 2636 by Assemblymember Eric F. Linder (R-Corona) – Certified copies of marriage, birth, and death certificates: electronic application.

Assembly Bill 2510 by Assemblymember Eric F. Linder (R-Corona) – Firearms: license to carry concealed: uniform license.

Senate Bill 866 by Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) – Veterans housing. Senate Bill 1000 by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) – Land use: general plans: safety and environmental justice.

Senate Bill 1068 by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) – Homeless children and youths: local educational agency liaisons: training materials.

Senate Bill 1085 by Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) – Professional engineers: geologists and geophysicists: land surveyors.

Senate Bill 1389 by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino): Public water systems: lead user service lines.

For a full list of Governor Brown’s legislative updates, click here.