California is in position to expand its Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) law after the State Senate approved AB 2888 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) today, sending the measure to the Governor. It adds school personnel, employers and co-workers to the list of parties that can request the courts temporarily take away someone’s guns because of the imminent danger they pose to themselves or others. Currently, only law enforcement and immediate family members can file for a GVRO.

“Prior to February’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, teachers and administrators expressed increasing concern about the gunman’s behavior at school” said Ting, author of AB 2888 and father of two school-aged children. “We need to give California schools more tools to prevent another campus tragedy.”

AB 2888 and other red flag laws gained momentum after the Parkland massacre in February that left 17 students and staffers dead, as well as 17 others injured. 13 states now have so-called red flag laws; eight were in response to the Parkland shooting.

The state Legislature is taking steps to make sure driverless cars will operate safely on California roads. The state Assembly approved AB 87 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) today, giving law enforcement the authority to impound unpermitted autonomous vehicles (AVs). The legislation comes as Sacramento is poised to become the first California city where AVs with no occupants will be tested on public streets. 

“While we support technology that could potentially create new transportation opportunities, companies can’t just put an AV on the road whenever they feel like it. Lives are at stake,” said Ting, author of AB 87. “By giving police the power to seize unpermitted AVs, we’re incentivizing operators to go through the proper channels first. We need assurances their AVs can interact safely with drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues three types of AV permits, depending on where the testing takes place and whether or not there’s a back-up human driver in the car. Minimum financial and safety requirements must be met before a permit is approved. 50 companies testing nearly 400 self-driving vehicles are currently licensed by the state for trials. The DMV requires AVs tested on public streets without a human occupant to have a remote driver or monitor watching over it. Only two companies so far have sought such approval.

The state is poised to help combat rental car theft with the Assembly’s   passage today of AB 2620 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The proposal would increase the chances of recovering stolen vehicles by shortening the waiting period a rental car company can turn on the vehicle’s GPS location feature.

 "California has the highest number of rental car thefts in the nation, and the problem has become especially rampant in San Francisco,” said Ting. “The current  one week waiting period is far too long, allowing cars to sometimes end up in another country before a rental car company can turn on GPS tracking.  By shortening the waiting period to three days after the missed return date, AB 2620 would be instrumental in the timely recovery of stolen vehicles.”

Over the past few years, thieves have been increasingly targeting rental car companies, largely because they can’t report a vehicle missing or take any action until at least five days after it’s overdue. This bill was spurred by Sharky Laguana, owner and CEO of Bandago, a San Francisco rental van company.  He used Twitter to vent his frustration over law enforcement’s inability to help him recover one of his company’s past-due vans, even after he had miraculously spotted it while driving. Officers cited the five-day legal requirement before they can act on overdue rental vehicles. Laguana and his business partner took matters into their own hands and recovered their van on their own despite the risks.

A bill that would ensure domestic workers have the same rights as other workers heads to the Governor today after approval from the California State Senate. AB 2314 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) requires the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement to create education and training programs to make certain that domestic employers and workers alike are aware of state laws, especially when it comes to overtime and breaks.

“Domestic workers deserve the same labor protections as everyone else,” said Ting. “This proposal recognizes that jobs performed by domestic workers are just as valuable as any other work, and that the care these hardworking individuals provide in our homes and for our loved ones keeps our economy going.”

In California, nearly two million households employ more than 300,000 domestic workers as housecleaners, landscapers, nannies and caregivers, many of whom are immigrant women. Despite recent strides strengthening labor protections and increasing the minimum wage, a number of domestic workers still experience substandard pay and working conditions. Workers often don’t know their rights or mistakenly believe their immigration status excludes them from basic labor protections. Employers are also contributing to the problem because they are often unaware that labor laws extend to private homes.

“AB 2314 is about equity and dignity, and will make a difference in the lives of hardworking domestic workers,” said Kimberly Alvarenga, Director of the California Domestic Workers Coalition. “We applaud the Legislature for taking this crucial next step in making domestic worker rights a reality for our industry.”

AB 2314 now heads to Governor Brown for consideration. He has until the end of September to take action on bills sent to him in the final days of session. If approved, it’ll take effect on January 1, 2019.

Assemblymembers David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) Monday night joined San Francisco API community leaders to celebrate diversity in film before a screening of Crazy Rich Asians. Speakers highlighted new diversity reporting elements in Senate Bill 871, the film tax credit law that was recently signed by Governor Jerry Brown, and how this legislation could lead to greater Asian and Pacific Islander (API) representation in Hollywood.  

“Representation in entertainment matters,” said Assemblymember David Chiu. “I believe the faces we see on screen should be a reflection of the faces we see around us every day. Increased reporting requirements could lead to greater diversity in entertainment and the making of another groundbreaking film like Crazy Rich Asians.”   

Senate Bill 871, signed into law in June by Governor Brown, addresses disparities in API media representation by requiring the California Film Commission to collect aggregated diversity information from applicants hoping to receive incentives from the California Film Tax Credit. Additionally, the bill requires applicants to provide a summary of their voluntary programs to increase the representation of minorities and women.

“Crazy Rich Asians proves you can make a good movie with a diverse cast and crew,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting and Vice-Chair of the API Caucus. “We want to encourage more studios to look at our community for talent. By adding diversity statistics in the application process for tax incentives, we’re motivating television and film projects to move the needle toward inclusion.”

The press conference took place before a screening of Crazy Rich Asians, the first major motion picture in 25 years to feature a predominately API cast.

Sacramento, CA - The State Assembly is helping California renters stay in their homes with today’s passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 2219 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The bill requires landlords to accept third-party rent payments under certain circumstances. Tenants struggling to make their rent sometimes turn to relatives or non-profit organizations for financial assistance in order to avoid eviction. But some landlords have refused such payments, putting families on the street.

“Skyrocketing rents in our state have made finding and keeping affordable housing very challenging,” said Ting. “California already has the highest homeless population in the country. The law must ensure renters can stay in their homes when someone is willing to step in with payment assistance.”

According to a 2017 report by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, about 1.5 million households, or one-third California renters, pay more than half of their income toward rent. Refusal of third party rent payments disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, such as seniors and the disabled.