All of these bills by Simón Salinas are now California law!
I am proud of my record of accomplishment. Here are some of my successes as an elected official.
Supervisor Simón Salinas
Landmark Legislation for Victims / Jenna’s Law
On December 22, 2003, 20-year-old Jenna Myrick died when the Acorn Building in Paso Robles collapsed as a result of the 6.5 San Simeon earthquake. She was shopping for her wedding dress.
Myrick's parents, who live in King City, encouraged Simón Salinas to write "Jenna's Law." The Victim’s Rights Law made sure owners of reinforced masonry buildings post warning signs or face penalties.
Made Health Care More Accessible and Affordable
AB 2044 – County Mental Health Programs
Simón Salinas authored AB 328. The law requires the Department of Mental Health to assess the financial status of County Mental Health Programs.
AB 2044 provides a vehicle for the enactment of any recommendations that result from the mental health program reviews. Therefore, not just making laws, but making sure they have teeth.
Tough Monitoring of Sexual Predators to Protect Victims (Landmark Legislation)
AB 493 by Assemblymember Simón Salinas (D-Salinas)
Enacted tough monitoring guidelines for sexually violent predators.
AB 665 – Massage Therapists.
Requires cities and counties to deny massage therapy licenses to any person who is required to register, due to conviction of specified criminal offenses, as a sex offender.
Improved Local Transportation
AB 765 – Monterey Salinas Transit: Bus Feeder Service
Allows Monterey-Salinas Transit to provide AMTRAK bus feeder service from the Monterey-Salinas area to San Jose.
Improved Public Safety
ACR 57 – Automated External Defibrillator Resolution
This law declares that it is the intent of the Legislature to urge all California schools to implement an automated external defibrillator (AED) program. This ACR also states information and statistics on the importance of placing AEDs in public areas.
AB 2181, by Assemblymember Simón Salinas (D-Salinas)
Extends the authority of a court to order parents or guardians of truant students to immediately enroll or re-enroll students in school or an educational program and provide proof of enrollment to the court.
Promoted Local Agriculture and Helped Rural Communities
AB 365 – Greenhouses
Clarifies that greenhouse operations are eligible under the Williamson Act, which protects agricultural lands. It also declares that greenhouses are equal to and as desirable as open field agriculture.
AB 410 – Assessment of Rural Programs
The state funds a variety of programs designed to assist rural communities. Unfortunately, they are administered by a variety of offices, which reduces their effectiveness. This law requires the Legislative Analyst to review existing rural programs and make recommendations for improving effectiveness and saving taxpayer dollars.
Made Government More Accountable and Accessible
AB 1438 – Local Health Plans: Open Meetings
Allows local health plan boards to establish a quorum, outside the jurisdiction, via teleconference, if at least 50% of the members that would establish a quorum are present within the jurisdiction and the board provides a teleconference line available to the public.
AB 1234 – Local Government "SUNSHINE" Bill
This proposal has 3 basic sections that bring some "sunshine" to the activities of local government officials:
- Provisions for ethics training for local government officials and designated employees.
- Rules pertaining to compensation to members of a local government legislative body for attendance at authorized meetings and conferences.
- Guidelines for reimbursement to members of a local government legislative body for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties (travel, meals, and lodging).
AB 1642 – Education: School District Reorganization
This law corrects several inconsistencies, inequities and typographical errors. It also makes clarifications that streamline the process, make it more efficient, and help reduce the costs associated with the process.
Improved Local Communities’ Access to Affordable Housing
AB 1461 – Housing: Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
The federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 established the State CDBG Program. The Department administers CDBG for smaller cities and counties. The primary federal objective of CDBG is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. Among the many uses of CDBG funds are infrastructure improvements and activities in support of the construction of housing.
AB 2043 – Farm Worker Housing Grant Program
This law opened the Farm Worker Housing Grant Program to projects designed to assist migrant farm workers. To alleviate concerns from the administration, AB 2043 specifies that grant funds will be used to directly pay for renting short-term occupancy units only in emergency circumstances.