Sen. Dodd’s 2020 Legislative Package Approved

In a legislative session shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, wrote seven bills that were signed into law on topics ranging from wildfire safety to maternity care. None of his bills were vetoed.

“Clearly, this was an unprecedented year that none of us had ever hoped or planned for,” said Sen. Dodd. “But we made the best use of our abbreviated time, tackling important topics and passing meaningful legislation. I’m looking forward to next year when we will redouble our efforts to serve the people of California.”

Nearly three-quarters of the 2,223 bills introduced in the Senate and Assembly at the start of the year were shelved or withdrawn because of pandemic-imposed limits on the ability to gather in public hearings and policy committee meetings. Ultimately, 428 bills cleared the Legislature and were sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom. He signed 372 and vetoed 56.

Sen. Dodd pared his legislative package to less than a third of his original offering of 23 bills. The seven that were signed are:

· SB 214: Provides funding for people with disabilities and seniors who wish to receive care in their homes instead of nursing homes.

· SB 800: Improves horse racing safety by requiring more transparency in equine drug testing.

· SB 869: To boost economic development on tribal lands

· SB 872: Streamlines the residential insurance claims process in disasters including wildfires

· SB 909: Authorizes use of “hi-lo” evacuation siren in emergency vehicles

· SB 918: Authorizes UC Davis viticulture department to sell surplus wine to support the program

· SB 1237: Improves maternity care and brings equity to access by expanded use of midwives

Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.