Capitol Update
By Chris Wysocki
SUBLEASING BILL STILL AWAITING ACTION ON SENATE FLOOR
Assembly Bill 861 (Bennett) continues to await action on the Senate Floor. WMA opposes this measure that would prevent parkowners from leasing out homes they own in their parks unless they allow other tenants to sublease their homes. Amendments to this legislation are expected to exempt certain parks operating as non-profit entities; however, the bill has not yet been amended.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL BILL MOVES BACK TO STATE ASSEMBLY
The Senate passed Assembly Bill 468 (Friedman) on a 39-0 vote. The bill now moves back to the Assembly for concurrence in Senate amendments. Supported by WMA, this measure creates a misdemeanor for persons who knowingly and fraudulently represent, sell, offer for sale, or attempt to represent, sell, or offer for sale an emotional support animal or identifying equipment including vests, ID cards, harnesses, or patches as being entitled to the rights and privileges that accorded by law to a service animal.
WATER SUBMETERING BILL SENT TO GOVERNOR
Assembly Bill 1061 (Lee) was sent to the Governor on Monday afternoon. WMA has submitted a letter to the Governor requesting a VETO of this legislation to discourage water submetering in mobilehome parks. The Governor has until October 10 to sign or veto this legislation.
STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES STILL EXPECTED FOR 2022
Most Californians remain focused on the outcome of the September 14 recall election. However, it is worth noting that regardless of the recall election, voters will weigh in on numerous statewide initiatives on the 2022 ballot.
Currently, one referendum has qualified for the November 8, 2022, election. In addition, four initiatives have been cleared to circulate for signature collection, and 12 other measures are pending with the Attorney General’s office for an official “Title and Summary.” Measures will be cleared for circulation once the Title and Summary are issued.
For a statutory initiative, 623,212 valid signatures are required. For a Constitutional Amendment, 997,139 valid signatures are required.
The Secretary of State’s website features information regarding the status of statewide initiatives:
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures
IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES APPROACHING
The 2021 legislative session is beginning to wind down in a matter of days. September 3 is the last day to amend a bill on either the Assembly or Senate floor. The last day of the session is next Friday, September 10. Governor Newsom will have until October 10 to sign or veto bills.
RECALL ELECTION UPDATE
The September 14 recall election to remove Governor Newsom from office is near, and more than 4 million ballots have already been returned to county registrars in all 58 counties. These numbers include ballots returned by the United States Postal Service due to incorrect addresses. To keep up to date on ballot returns, please visit the following website:
IN-PERSON CONVENTION AND EXPO COMING SOON
The WMA Convention and Expo are coming soon (October 11-14) at the Peppermill Resort Casino Spa in Reno, NV. There will be numerous seminars on important issues, including an update on new laws passed in 2021. September 5, 2021, is the deadline for hotel reservations, and September 13, 2021, is the last day you can register for lower rates.
Please visit WMA’s convention page on our website to sign up and register by clicking on the following link:
https://www.wma.org/post/2021-wma-convention-expo-0
Chris Wysocki is WMA’s State Legislative Advocate. He can be reached at chris@wma.org.
