Council Scores Big Wins this Week in Sacramento

The Council’s two sponsored bills SB 1069 and AB 1755 were both passed by Legislative Committees this week in Sacramento. SB 1069 authored by  Senator Bob Wieckowski (Fremont) will increase the supply of housing by easing the permitting of accessory dwelling units was passed by the Assembly Local Government Committee on Wednesday. This bill now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. AB 1755 authored by Assemblymember Bill Dodd (Napa) seeks to establish the Open and Transparent Water Data Act to better track and manage our water resources was passed by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on Tuesday. This bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Additionally, the Bay Area Council saw success in the passage of bills that it supports. AB 2664 authored by Assemblywoman Irwin (Thousand Oaks) requires the University of California to expand or accelerate economic development to support innovation and entrepreneurship was passed by the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. AB 2763 authored by Assemblymember Mike Gatto (Glendale) expands ride-sharing by providing access to vehicles through leases and rental arrangements for qualified drivers was passed by the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee on Monday.

The Council was also highly effective in its budget advocacy for key policy priorities. With Governor Brown signing the 2016-2017 state budget into law last week, the Council was successful in helping to secure over $100 million for early childhood education, $10 million for precision medicine research and $3 million to fund the Institute for Transportation Studies. To engage in the Council’s Government Relations efforts, please contact Policy Manager Cornelious Burke at cburke@bayareacouncil.org.