Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins Archives

Gov. Newsom Signs Bill to Re-define State’s Open Meeting Act

August 23, 2022 7:24 am

A bill to redefine California’s open meeting act, the The Brown Act, has been signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Senate Bill 1100, authored by Sen. Dave Cortese (D-Silicon Valley) and Assemblyman Evan Low’s (D-Silicon Valley), authorizes the presiding member of...

A Brief Review of the California Legislsture’s Joint Rule 26.5

August 20, 2022 10:00 amAugust 20, 2022 8:03 am

Senate Concurrent Resolution 32 (Atkins) was adopted March 30 of this year and sets forth the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly for the 2021–22 Regular Session. Joint Rule (JR) 26.5 is titled “Reference to Committee.” This section provides...

California Democrats Re-define State’s Open Meeting Act

August 8, 2022 2:30 amAugust 9, 2022 7:11 am

Only three months ago, the Globe reported that State Capitol leadership was still requiring social distancing in committee hearing rooms, greatly diminishing available seating for lobbyists and members of the public, and denying many access to their elected representatives –...

CA Legislature Continues to Restrict Lobbyist and Public Access in Capitol Hearings

May 5, 2022 2:32 pm

Last Thursday the Globe reported that State Capitol leadership is still requiring social distancing in committee hearing rooms, greatly diminishing available seating for lobbyists and members of the public, and denying many access to their elected representatives. “And adding insult...

California Legislature Continues to Restrict Lobbyist and Public Access to Capitol Hearings

April 28, 2022 10:50 am

Even after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Feb. 29, 2022 he was dropping the mask mandate on school kids March 12, the California State Senate leaders quickly sent a memo out to Senators and staff announcing mask mandates would remain in...

California Assembly and Senate Putting the Squeeze on Unvaccinated Employees

August 18, 2021 12:54 pm

The California State Assembly and Senate leaders have been incrementally ratcheting down on COVID mandates now that the State Capitol building is open. The Globe reported in June: As California Capitol Reopens, Leg Staff Required to Show Proof of Vaccine,...