FIRE DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

September 1, 2006

 

 

The Legislature has adjourned for this session and will return on December 4, 2006.  The following are some legislative highlights of interest to California’s fire service as this session comes to a close:

 

AB 463 (Tran):  This bill deals with excavation and subsurface installation requirements.  SUPPORT.  Enrolled and to the Governor.

 

AB 586 (Negrete McLeod):   This bill would authorize the county health officer and the local EMS agency administrator to jointly act as the medical health operational area coordinator.  It would also require the development of a medical and health disaster plan and set forth the contents of the plan.  The bill would also require the State Department of Health Services and Emergency Medical Services Authority to adopt related regulations.  SUPPORT.  Senate amendments concurred in (vote 79-0).  Enrolled and to the Governor.

 

AB 1873 (Torrico):  In connection with the current safe-surrender sites for the safe surrender of newborn children who are 72 hours of age or younger, this bill would expand the scope of those provisions to apply to children who are 30 days old or younger.  Would also permit a local fire agency upon the approval of the appropriate governing body of the agency to designate a safe-surrender site.  Also addresses liability.  SUPPORT.  Senate amendments concurred in (vote 70-9).  Enrolled and to the Governor.

 

AB 2116 (Cohn):  Requires the Public Safety Radio Strategic Planning Committee recommended equipment be public safety radio subscriber equipment that also conforms to governmental standards for interoperability and, as technology evolves, that the equipment or systems be nonproprietary and have open architecture and backward compability.  SUPPORT.  Senate amendments concurred in (vote 70-8).  Enrolled and to the Governor.

 

AB 2135 (Vargas):  AB 2135 addresses a number of liability issues as they relate to emergency response services, including but not limited to, cost of the response.  Enrolled to the Secretary of State.  SUPPORT. 

 

AB 2310 (Torrico):  The bills deals with violations of current regulations regarding the sale, possession, use and transportation of both safe and sane and dangerous fireworks, in particular disposal costs and responsibility.  SUPPORT.  Failed passage 13-20. 

 

AB 2554 (Ridley-Thomas):  Makes changes to the Emergency Medical Services System and Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act regarding EMT certification.  Co-sponsor.  Senate amendments concurred in (vote 79-0).  Enrolled and to the Governor.

 

AB 2836 (Karnette):  This bill would require residential care facilities for the elderly that house or care for four or more clients or residents, to have an approved, operable automatic fire sprinkler system on and after January 1, 2014, if they are licensed as of January 1, 2010.  Also address new facilities and regulations on licenses and maintenance.  SUPPORT.  Senate amendments concurred in (vote 43-21).  Enrolled and to the Governor.

 

AB 3033 (Liebler):  A “gut and amend” as of August 21, 2006 regarding PERS, firefighters and service credits.  Legislation is current under review by Task Force members. 

 

SB 156 (Soto):  This bill will require the State Fire Marshal to contract with the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Program for the development of curriculum criteria.  Co-sponsor.  Assembly amendments concurred in (vote 29-11).  Enrolled and to the Governor.

 

SB 1532 (Bowen):  Would expend the definition of “package” in regards to mandatory packaging and labeling of household substances to include any empty container that is designed to contain any household substance for consumption, use, or storage by any individual in or about the household.  SUPPORT.  Enrolled and to the Governor.

 

ACR 168 (Negrete McLeod):  The measure would express the Legislature’s declaration of October 14, 2006, as Firefighters Memorial Day for the State of California, and urge all Californians to remember the firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty and express appreciation to those who everyday continue to protect our families, hopes and dreams.

 

 

 

The FDAC/Cal Chiefs Legislative Task Force monitors close to 100 bills each session with the assistance of Legislative Advocate Ralph Heim.  Updates will be sent to FDAC members weekly during the Legislative Session to keep you apprised of activities in the State Capitol.  Regular updates will also be posted on the FDAC website at www.fdac.org.

 

Additional information on these bills can be accessed via the following websites:

 

www.ca.senate.gov

www.ca.assembly.gov

 

 

 

 

 

FDAC Legislative Updates are an exclusive member to FDAC members.

 

 

FDAC * 1215 K Street, Suite 2290 * Sacramento, CA  95814

(800) 829-4309 * (916) 231-2941 * (916) 231-2141 fax