Sen. Dodd Secures ‘Most Prolific’ Honors in 10 Years in Office
Oct 16, 2024 04:22PM ● By Office of Senator Bill Dodd News ReleaseSACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, capped a productive decade in the Legislature this month when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the senator’s 126th bill into law, cementing his spot as the most prolific lawmaker during his tenure in either the Assembly or Senate.
“It’s been a great honor to represent our region over these years and respond to the needs of our communities,” Sen. Dodd said. “While there is still much that needs to happen, I’m happy to say we got a lot done. From enhancing wildfire safety to supporting education and protecting consumers, we’ve made meaningful differences in the lives of Californians. It’s a team effort, and I’d like to thank my staff and my constituents for the opportunity to serve them over the last decade.”
In his final year in the Legislature, Sen. Dodd had 13 bills signed into law including his Generative AI Accountability Act, which helps regulate the emergence of AI, and his new law standardizing the defensible space creation to protect structures from wildfire. Other new laws from Sen. Dodd this year improve sexual harassment reporting policies on California college campuses, improve transit and advance public safety, just to name a few laws.
“What one sees with Sen. Dodd -- from the latest legislative session to the totality of his distinguished legislative record -- are areas of critical need for legislation that solves problems and provides concrete solutions,” said David McCuan, professor of political science at Sonoma State University. “This is why his record of accomplishment is noteworthy. He doesn’t showboat or carry symbolic legislation. Sen. Dodd works on meaningful bills. One can’t forget that he also works to amend and change problematic bills. He’s a legislator’s legislator, and that is part of his legacy as well.”
This year’s legislative package:
SB 263 Annuities: Adopts model on consumer protection for annuities, with enhanced duties to consumers.
SB 295 Bar Pilots: Authorizes increased investment in Bar Pilot operations to enhance commercial shipping safety.
SB 310 Cultural burns: Expands tribal sovereignty to streamline approvals and encourage cultural burning practices to reduce wildfire risks.
SB 504 Defensible space: Advances defensible space standards from 0-30 feet and encourages local governments to assess defensible space through grant priority.
SB 896 Generative AI Accountability Act: The Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act ensures state agencies advance safeguards and consumer protections around AI.
SB 904 SMART: Modernization of the SMART train’s enabling legislation and adds voter initiative powers, supporting continued operation and service expansion.
SB 931 Tribal Compacts: Ratification or amendments of compacts and compact amendments with seven tribal governments.
SB 958 County of Napa surplus property: Authorizes the sale of Camp Coombs to the County of Napa for permanent use as a park or wilderness preserve.
SB 1166 Higher Ed data reporting: Extends existing reporting requirements mandating the California State University system to deliver detailed reports to the Legislature and public on sexual harassment and sex discrimination cases and extends these requirements to include both the California Community Colleges and the University of California systems.
SB 1243 Campaign contributions: Updates conflict of interest laws to ensure local governments and other parties can more effectively implement and follow the law to prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption, including by prohibiting agents of parties from contributing to local elected officials while a proceeding is pending before them.
SB 1379 Solano Sheriff: Allows retired annuitants working for the Solano County Sheriff to exceed the work limit to address a critical staffing need in the city of Vallejo through 2027.
SB 1384 Powered wheelchair repair: Establishes a comprehensive framework designed to empower powered wheelchair users and independent repair providers by facilitating access to crucial components, tools, and documentation necessary for the upkeep and repair of powered wheelchairs.
SB 1524 Hidden restaurant fees: Mandates that a fee or charge be clearly and conspicuously displayed with an explanation of its purpose on a caterer or restaurant’s advertisements or menu.
Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.