Senator Ridley-Thomas’ 2003-2004 Legislative Accomplishments

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

AB 478: REMOVING ABANDONED VEHICLES (Signed by Davis)

Increases the "low-value" threshold from $300 to $500 to allow for the disposal of additional unwanted vehicles and reflect inflationary increases since the original adoption of the relevant Vehicle Code section. Also increases the exemption threshold, to avoid noticing the vehicle for 72 hours, from $100 to $300 to allow for the efficient removal of more abandoned vehicles.

AB 2144: SELLING TAX DEFAULTED PROPERTIES (Signed by Schwarzenegger)

Provides local jurisdictions the option of selling off tax defaulted properties after the property taxes have remained unpaid for three years, which will hasten the revitalization of often under utilized, neglected or abandoned properties by placing them back on the market for reuse and redevelopment. This will generate additional tax revenues for local services and will allow many properties to be salvaged before becoming a community eyesore or reaching the point of complete disrepair.

VOTER EMPOWERMENT

AB 587: PROTECTING VOTING RIGHTS (Signed by Davis)

Requires California voter registration forms to contain a field for the voluntary collection of racial and/or ethnic data.

AB 593: REGISTERING NEW VOTERS (Signed by Davis)

Requires the dissemination of voter registration forms and information to students in high schools, community colleges and campuses of the California State University and University of California. Also eliminates the requirement that permanent absentee voters who fail to vote in primary elections be removed from permanent absent voter rolls and directs the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to forward change of address cards and digitized signatures of individuals who register to vote at DMV to the Secretary of State.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

AB 1181: STOPPING THE INSURANCE RIP OFF (Signed by Davis)

Requires automobile insurers to provide the following information to policyholders upon the issuance of a new policy and on each subsequent renewal notification:

  • Estimated annual mileage driven
  • Years of driving experience
  • Vehicle Use (e.g. pleasure, commute, business, etc.)
  • Zip code where vehicle is garaged
  • Driver-related discounts
  • Vehicle-related discounts
  • Additionally requires that traffic convictions and at-fault accidents be disclosed or made available to the policyholder upon request.

AB 2677: PROVIDING CENTRALIZED INSURANCE QUOTES (Signed by Schwarzenegger)

Requires auto insurers to provide consumers with a quote for their lowest priced auto policy through a toll-free number, an Internet site or an agent.

CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

AB 1389: PROTECTING CALIFORNIA JOBS AND CONTRACTS (Signed by Davis)

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to report to the Legislature the number of customers in California and a calculation showing the percentage of the public utility's domestic customer base that resides in California, the number of employees and independent contractors who are California residents, a calculation showing the percentage of the public utility's domestic workforce that resides in California, and the amount of capital investment made in California during the preceding 12-month period.

AB 1643: PROTECTING SMALL BUSINESS (Signed by Schwarzenegger)

Requires the Employment Development Department (EDD) to conduct a study on the number of small businesses that have erroneously been classified as employees instead of independent contractors.

AB 2805: INVESTING IN EXPOSITION PARK (Signed by Schwarzenegger)

Grants the Los Angeles City Council the ability to extend the timeline and financing options of the Hoover Redevelopment Area to facilitate further development of the area through the location of an NFL franchise in the Coliseum.

HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE

AB 1470: PROVIDING WORKERS WITH DIRECT DEPOSIT (Signed by Schwarzenegger)

Requires the State Controller's Office and the Department of Social Services (DSS) to create a direct deposit payment system for In Home Supportive Services workers.

AB 2919: KEEPING WORKER'S COMPENSATION COST DOWN (Signed by Schwarzenegger)

Deletes the sunset date that allows nurse practitioners (NP's) and physician assistants (PA's) to treat injured workers within the workers' compensation system.

AJR's 61 & 62: INCREASING ACCESS TO LOW COST PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Urges the federal government to certify a safe and cost efficient prescription drug importation program and asks for a repeal of the Medicare Drug Law that prohibits the government from negotiating for lower drug prices.

ACR 216: IMPROVING NURSING HOMES

Urges California Nursing Homes to adopt the Quality First 10-Point Plan which was created the by American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) – an organization that represents 5,600 providers of long-term care for older adults -- and endorsed by their California chapter.

PUBLIC SAFETY/EDUCATION

AB 1901: HELPING EX OFFENDERS SUCCEED (Signed by Schwarzenegger)

Modifies the educational requirements for ex offenders in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Church's ex offender education program to ensure the completion of a GED or the improvement of three grade levels in three years.

2008 Legislative Accomplishments
2007 Legislative Accomplishments
2005-06 Legislative Accomplishments
2003-04 Legislative Accomplishments