SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office announced Thursday that he has signed several pieces of legislation into law, impacting everything from emergency medical services for pets to education on African American history and voter registration for military members.
Among the newly signed bills are:
- AB 463, authored by Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez (D-Ontario): It aims to improve emergency medical services for dogs and cats, enhancing the level of care and response available for companion animals in crisis situations. Specifically, it authorizes an emergency responder to provide basic first aid to a police canine or search and rescue dog that is injured in the line of duty, as well as an ambulance transport if needed.
- AB 829, introduced by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego): It establishes the Richard Paul Hemann Parkinson’s Disease Program and creates a new Parkinson’s Disease Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund, allowing Californians to support Parkinson’s research through their tax filings.
- SB 510, sponsored by Senator Laura Richardson (D-South Bay): It mandates instruction on the historical and ongoing treatment of African Americans in public school curricula, specifically during the Spanish colonization of California and the Gold Rush Era. This reinforces the state’s commitment to inclusive education.
- SB 621, from Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield): It improves voter registration access for military and overseas voters, making it easier for service members and expatriates to participate in California elections.
- SB 856, from the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water: It makes changes to the California Coastal Act of 1976, including a filing fee waiver and updates to biennial and semiannual reporting under the Marine Invasive Species Act.
However, not all legislation made it through.
Newsom vetoed AB 1387, a bill by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) that proposed the establishment of a behavioral health multidisciplinary personnel team. The governor issued a veto message explaining his reasoning, stating in part:…