(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the California State Senate Housing Committee passed AB 1783, legislation introduced by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) that creates a streamlined process to build dignified, family-friendly housing for farmworkers in California. The bill passed with a vote of 7 - 3 and now heads to the Senate Governance and Finance Committee.  

“This is a humanitarian crisis, and I believe we have a moral responsibility to act,” explained Assemblymember Robert Rivas, who himself grew up in farmworker housing. “AB 1783 helps make it easier for farmers and non-profit organizations to build dignified, family-friendly housing for the workers who keep us fed and help drive our agricultural communities and state economy. I thank the members of the committee for their support and implore more Senators to step up to make this opportunity a reality for our farmworker families.”    

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee approved AB 936 on a 7-1 vote. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Robert Rivas, puts key measures in place to protect California residents’ health and environment from the threat of a spill of nonfloating oil. The measure now heads to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

“Nonfloating oil poses unique challenges in the event of a spill because unlike lighter crude, the oil can quickly sink or become suspended in the water column,” explained Rivas. “California’s current oil spill response program does not have sufficient measures in place to ensure a state-of-the-art response to these heavy crude spills — spills that become more likely as the volume of that oil increases. That’s why I introduced Assembly Bill 936, to enhance response capabilities to ensure the state is prepared for the massive clean-up effort that would be associated with a spill of nonfloating oil in a river or bay."