Latest Press Releases

Senate Passes Legislation to Help Lower the Cost of College Textbooks

May 03, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) designed to help lower the costs of textbooks for college students passed the Senate today.

Senate Bill 1539 requires publishers of textbooks used in higher education to inform professors and purchasers of the differences in the textbooks from previous editions and also of all the products they offer on the same topic.

Senate Passes Legislation to Improve Support for Child Abuse Victims

May 03, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) to improve support of child abuse victims passed the Senate today on a 36-0 vote. 
  
Senate Bill 1352 authorizes each county to establish a child advocacy center and promotes multi-agency collaboration.

Senate Passes Legislation Providing Consumer Protection for Senior Veterans

May 03, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) that provides seniors with an important consumer protection to make sure they are not deceived when applying for veterans benefits passed the Senate today on a 36-0 vote.  

Senate Bill 1184 prohibits insurance agents from assisting seniors with obtaining veterans benefits through the government, unless the agents have no direct financial incentive.

Legislation Protecting Owners of Refinanced Homes in Foreclosure Passes Committee

May 01, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) to extend a vital protection to homeowners who refinance their homes and later are foreclosed upon passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support today.

Senate Bill 1069 protects homeowners from owing lenders more than the market value of their home upon foreclosure, even when the home has been refinanced.

Bill to Lower the Costs of College Textbooks Clears Committee

April 25, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) designed to help lower the costs of textbooks for college students passed the Senate Education Committee today.

Senate Bill 1539 requires publishers of textbooks used in higher education to inform purchasers of the differences in the textbooks from previous editions and also of all the products they offer on the same topic.

Legislation to Collect Data on Internet Crimes Passes Committee

April 24, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) to collect and publish information on Internet-related crimes committed in California passed the Senate Public Safety Committee today.

By establishing a standard format for law enforcement agencies to report Internet crimes, Senate Bill 1389 will help guide policymakers and police investigators across the state, as they combat criminal activity associated with the growing use of the Internet and electronic communications.

Legislation to Improve the Safety of School Construction Clears Committee

April 24, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) to ensure school construction meets seismic safety standards passed the Senate Governmental Organization Committee today.

Senate Bill 1271 follows up on a December 2011 state audit that found significant gaps in the state’s oversight of school construction and seismic safety projects, and that the Division of the State Architect has been inconsistent and ineffective in enforcing the Field Act.

Corbett Praises JPA to Assist St. Rose Hospital

April 19, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) issued the following statement today on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ decision to establish a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the Washington Township Health Care District to help run St. Rose Hospital in Hayward:

“It’s absolutely critical to the health and well-being of East Bay residents to keep our community hospitals open and fully functioning.

“I applaud Alameda county supervisors and hospital leaders in forging an arrangement to ensure St.

Seismic Safety Hearing Set for Friday in Castro Valley

April 18, 2012

HEARING ADVISORY

WHO:
Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro)
Elaine M. Howle, California State Auditor
Chester “Chet” Widom, State Architect
Lisa Silverman, Executive Officer, Office of Public School Construction
School administrators and others 
  
WHAT:
The Select Committee on Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery holds legislative hearing titled “Seismic Safety Standards: California Public Schools and Construction Oversight.” 
 

Legislation Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Passes Committee

April 17, 2012

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) to strengthen the state’s Safe at Home program, which provides victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault confidentiality for their protection, today passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 1082 clarifies inconsistencies in the law regarding the program, and it makes Safe at Home services clearer, more efficient and more effective.