Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, held a hearing last month at the State Capitol to identify how technological improvements and customer service efficiencies can shorten wait times at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Assemblymember Ting released the following statement in response to the DMV audit ordered by the Brown Administration today:

While wait times are improving at the DMV, the experiences of Californians at field offices across the state tell us that issues remain. I appreciate the Administration’s consideration of our ongoing concerns and welcome a performance audit of the DMV. The findings will help identify additional solutions and build upon the work of the Legislature. We can and must do better for our constituents.

During a press conference in San Francisco, Assemblymember Phil Ting, State Senator Nancy Skinner and supporters highlighted two landmark police transparency bills currently on Governor Brown’s desk awaiting his signature.

AB 748 (Ting): Increases police transparency by requiring body camera footage of officer-involved shootings and uses of force to be released within 45 days, unless the incident is still under investigation; 30-day delays are allowed with good reason.

“Body-worn cameras are becoming more and more common among law enforcement agencies, and California needs a statewide standard for how the public can access those recordings,” said Assemblymember Ting. “AB 748 will increase police transparency and will help rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

Supporters can sign this petition to urge Governor Brown to sign AB 748.

There’s no doubt California will need more charging stations, as it aggressively pushes for more zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The question is how many. During his Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, Governor Jerry Brown today signed AB 2127 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to require the California Energy Commission to assess the state’s current electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and determine how many more stations will be needed in the future. The assessment will be used to identify where there are deficiencies across the state.

“More Californians would buy clean cars if there were more charging stations,” said Ting, author of AB 2127. “We need a clearer picture of where we are today, so we can build-out our charging infrastructure in a way that incentivizes greater EV adoption.”

The transportation sector accounts for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, and ZEVs are crucial to reducing air pollution. To accelerate improvements in air quality, Governor Brown signed Executive Order B-48-18 earlier this year, which set the goal of five million clean cars on the road in California by 2030. But the state’s EV charging infrastructure is lagging and continues to be one of the greatest barriers to widespread consumer adoption of this clean technology. The installation of more charging stations is imperative if California is to reach its 2030 target and support an increase in EVs.

San Francisco could make significant investments to its transportation infrastructure under a proposal the state Legislature sent to the Governor today. AB 1184 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) affirms San Francisco’s authority to dedicate a tax on Transportation Network Company (TNC) rides to fund critical transportation projects. There is an estimated $22 billion funding gap to meet city and regional transportation needs through 2045.

“As San Francisco’s economy grows, the city must be able to move its people around safely - but current funding streams can’t keep up with the need,” said Ting. “AB 1184 will allow the city to raise the revenue it needs to help fund improvements to roads, bike lanes, public transit, and more, and demonstrates that the best solutions often arise when local leaders from both the public and private sector come up with a solution together.”

“TNCs are a critical part of our transportation system,” said Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), principal co-author of the legislation. “They expand people’s ability to get around without owning a car. AB 1184 helps ensure that TNCs participate in funding our overall transit system.”

“This bill gives San Franciscans the opportunity to provide additional resources to our underfunded transit system,” said Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco), a joint author of AB 1184. “TNCs have become a part of everyday mobility and it makes sense for them to help take on our transportation challenges.”

It could soon be easier for the public to obtain body camera footage from law enforcement under a proposal from Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The state Legislature voted today to send AB 748 to Governor Brown for consideration. The bill requires the release of video or audio within 45 days of a critical incident, which is defined as the discharge of a firearm or use-of-force that causes death or great bodily harm.

“As more and more law enforcement agencies begin to use body cameras, California needs a statewide standard for how the public can access those recordings,” said Ting. “Transparency is necessary after critical incidents occur, and AB 748 will help rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

Groundbreaking legislation by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), along with Assemblymembers Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and Adam Gray (D-Merced), to create the first statewide drug and needle take-back program funded by the pharmaceutical industry has passed the Senate on a bipartisan, 38-0 vote and now heads to the Governor.

Senate Bill 212 requires manufacturers of pharmaceutical drugs and medical sharps to establish, implement and fund take-back programs for safe and secure collection and disposal of their products. This is the first statewide proposal in the nation to include both prescription medications and medical sharps. While there are some safe drug disposal sites in California, there are only 489 locations serving 39 million residents, and clearly they're not enough to meet public demand. In addition, these sites are financed by local governments, and ultimately California taxpayers.. 

“Our current patchwork of take-back programs isn’t working. All Californians need access to safe and convenient ways to dispose of unused medication and sharps. I hope the Governor sees the public health and environmental benefits of the statewide solution offered in SB 212 and signs the bill,” said Assemblymember Ting, who is principal co-author of the legislation.

With the State Senate’s approval today of AB 748 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), California takes a big step forward in allowing greater public access to law enforcement body camera recordings. The proposal, which cleared a full house of the legislature for the first time, requires the release of video or audio within 45 days of a critical incident, unless doing so interferes with an investigation. A critical incident is defined as the discharge of a firearm or use-of-force that causes death or great bodily harm.

“Trust between law enforcement and the communities they protect is key to maintaining peace and safety in our neighborhoods,” said Ting. “We need the statewide standard for the disclosure of body camera footage outlined in AB 748 because greater transparency is the only way to rebuild public trust after critical incidents occur.”

The California Police Chiefs Association estimates 20% of the state’s police departments have deployed body-worn cameras on their officers, and that number is growing. Under current California law, the Public Records Act does not have clear or consistent standards regarding release of these recordings. In April, the Los Angeles Police Commission adopted a policy similar to AB 748. But other departments commonly cite “pending investigation” as a reason to withhold body camera footage, further increasing mistrust. Recordings can show whether or not an officer was in compliance with the law when critical incidents occur and help clear an officer of any perceived wrongdoing. If extra time is needed for an investigation, AB 748 also allows for 30-day delays in the release of footage.