Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis’s 2024 Priority Legislation Signed by Governor Newsom

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis's2024 Priority Legislation Signed by Governor Newsom

For Immediate Release
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Contact:[email protected], (916) 445-8994

SACRAMENTO - In the 2024 legislative cycle, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis supported and sponsored 36 bills signed into law by Governor Newsom. Since taking office in 2019, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis has championed and supported over 140 bills across higher education, reproductive health & equity, and environmental protection.

As a member of all three governing boards of higher education in the state, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis has been a steadfast advocate for streamlining transfer and enhancing equity, accessibility, and student success across California's colleges and universities. This year, the Lieutenant Governor supported a sweeping package of 12 bills to reform Title IX. This package will better protect students and staff from sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination at higher education institutions, creating safer learning environments for all students.

Building on her commitment to higher education reform, the Lieutenant Governor co-sponsored AB 2057(Berman), enacting high-impact recommendations produced by the Associate Degree for Transfer Intersegmental Implementation Committee and supported SB 1348(Bradford), establishing the Designation of California Black-Serving Institutions.

Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor continued to lead the fight for reproductive freedom as a co-sponsor of AB 2129(Petrie-Norris) requiring commercial health plans to cover the cost of immediate postpartum contraception, an important step towardsensuring equitable access to essential healthcare for all women.

Furthering her dedication to environmental protection, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis supported SB 1053(Blakespear), banning plastic bags at grocery checkouts. This critical legislation addresses California's plastic waste crisis, helping to protect our oceans and marine life while promoting a more sustainable future.

On the renewable energy front, the Lieutenant Governor has been a strong advocate for expanding offshore wind development since sponsoring AB 525 in 2019, which kick-started California's engagement in offshore wind. This year, along with Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis secured $3.6 million in the state budget to conduct critical scientific planning and monitoring of offshore wind.

The legislative priorities supported by Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis reflect her unwavering commitment to protecting and advancing California's values. Through critical reforms in higher education, reproductive health, and environmental protection, these bills collectively enhance equity, sustainability, and access to essential services for all Californians.

"I extend my deepest gratitude to the members of the legislature for their unwavering dedication to these critical bills, and to Governor Newsom for signing them into law. Together, we are forging an even brighter future for all Californians-one that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable-ensuring our state remains a bold leader in progress and opportunity for generations to come."

Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis

Co-Sponsor:

Higher Education

• AB 2057 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) - Associate Degree for Transfer

Reproductive Health

• AB 2129 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) - Immediate postpartum contraception

• SB 233 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Oakland) and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) - Practice of medicine: Arizona physicians: abortions and abortion-related care for Arizona patients.

Other

• AB 2867 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) - Recovery of artwork and personal property lost due to persecution

• SB 1524 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) - Consumers Legal Remedies Act: advertisements: restaurant, bar, and other food services

Support:

Expanding the Responsibilities of the Lt. Governor's Office

• SB 1348 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) - Postsecondary education: Designation of California Black-Serving Institutions.  

Reproductive Health

• AB 2085 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) - Planning and zoning: permitted use: community clinic.

• AB 2099 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) - Crimes: reproductive health services.

• AB 2319 by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) - California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act.

• AB 2843 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) - Health care coverage: rape and sexual assault.

• SB 729 by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-Van Nuys) - Health care coverage: treatment for infertility and fertility services.

California Legislative Women's Caucus Priorities

• AB 1930 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) - Teaching credentials: Child Development Associate Teacher Permit: renewal.

• SB 1386 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) - Evidence: sexual assault.

Higher Education

• AB 1575 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) - Public postsecondary education: students codes of conduct: advisers.

• AB 1887 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) - Student financial aid: application deadlines: extension.

Title IX "Call To Action" Bill Package

• AB 810 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) - Postsecondary education: hiring practices: academic, athletic, and administrative positions.

• AB 1790 by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) - California State University: sexual harassment: implementing California State Auditor recommendations.

• AB 1905 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) - Public postsecondary education: employment: settlements, informal resolutions, and retreat rights.

• AB 2047 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) - Public postsecondary education: discrimination prevention.

• AB 2048 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) - Community colleges: systemic campus reforms: sexual harassment: report.

• AB 2326 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) - Equity in Higher Education Act: discrimination: compliance, regulations, and reports.

• AB 2407 by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) - Public postsecondary educational institutions: sexual harassment complaints: state audits.

• AB 2608 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) - Postsecondary education: sexual violence and sexual harassment: training.

• AB 2987 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) - Public postsecondary education: sex discrimination complaints: status updates and notices.

• SB 1166 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) - Public postsecondary education: sex discrimination reports.

• SB 1491 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) - Postsecondary education: Equity in Higher Education Act.

Environment

• AB 2196 by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) - Beaver restoration.

• SB 1425 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) - Oil revenue: Oil Trust Fund.

• SB 1053 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) - Solid waste: recycled paper bags: standards: carryout bag prohibition.

Education

• AB 1955 by Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D-San Diego) - Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today's Youth Act.

Health

• AB 2115 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) - Controlled substances: clinics.

• AB 3221 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) - Department of Managed Health Care: review of records.

Public Safety

• AB 2136 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles) - Controlled substances: analyzing and testing.

• SB 268 by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson) - Crimes: serious and violent felonies.

Economic Development

• AB 2832 by Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D-San Diego) - Economic development: international trade and investment.

Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis also supported SCA 1 authored by Senator Josh Newman (D-Sacramento) - Elections: recall of state officers, a constitutional amendment which was passed by the legislature. SCA 1 will be on the 2026 November ballot.

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