10 bills to watch in California’s Legislature
There are big agendas in state legislatures across the nation this summer, and some of it’s highly controversial. Here’s a pointer at what’s happening in California:
immigrants
Assembly Bills 130 and 131 by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles: Allows undocumented students at California’s public colleges to get private and public financial aid.
The debate: Anti-immigration groups and some lawmakers warn of $30 million in new costs to the state, a lower amount of aid to documented students and a rise in illegal immigration as people travel to California to take advantage. Brown supports the concept behind the bills, although he has not taken a position on these specific measures.
Open carry
Assembly Bill 144 by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Cañada Flintridge: Makes it a misdemeanor to carry an unloaded weapon in public.
The debate: Law enforcement officials want to curtail open-carry events that they say are intimidating to unarmed citizens. Gun owners consider this another step toward taking away their rights to bear arms.
Online sales tax
Assembly Bill 155 by Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Whittier: Raises an estimated $83 million by requiring companies, such as Amazon.com, that don’t have a physical presence in California but control a California subsidiary to collect a tax on purchases.
The debate: The proposal is one of three pending in the Legislature to force out-of-state companies to collect sales tax from Californians shopping online. But keeping California companies competitive could drive Amazon and others to drop in-state ties or file a legal challenge.