Sen. Dodd’s 2023 Legislative Year: Targeting Campus Harassment, Junk Fees
SACRAMENTO – With the conclusion of the 2023 legislative session, Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, had a total of 14 bills signed into law this year by Gov. Gavin Newsom, continuing his streak as California’s most prolific lawmaker during the past nine years. These new laws created meaningful policy including addressing sexual harassment and violence reporting on California State University campuses, the proliferation of junk fees, recycling and broadband connectivity.
“We approached the year with the goal of addressing unmet needs and improving our state,” Sen. Dodd said. “I’m grateful to my colleagues and Governor Newsom for supporting my legislation this year. Making a difference for Californians has always been my guiding principle. It’s been a great privilege to work on behalf of the people of this state, and I look forward to doing it again next year.”
In the nine years since Sen. Dodd joined the Legislature, first as an Assembly member and for the past seven years as a senator, he has built a legacy of achievement, writing 113 bills that have been signed into law, the most of any lawmaker over those nine years. His measures reflect a wide range of policies seeking to improve health, safety, opportunity and prosperity in the Golden State.
“Senator Dodd’s road to legislative success continues to recognize the hard work of Californians who are the backbone of this economy and the fifth largest economic engine in the world,” said Professor David McCuan, chairman emeritus of the Political Science Department at Sonoma State University. He and his team continue to provide legislation that is practical, breaks new ground, and shows how to improve the lives of others. He is a legislator who makes a difference in Sacramento.”
This year, Sen. Dodd tackled hot-button issues with successful proposals to increase recycling, promote the use of midwives and raise awareness of the growth of artificial intelligence, among others. Highlights of this year’s bills are:
SB 3 Water Shutoff Protection: Extends protections from Senator Dodd’s 2018 Water Shutoff Protection Act to those served by small water systems
SB 329 Council Pay Caps: Increases pay caps for city council members to increase diversity and representation on city councils
SB 353 Recycling: Adds large juice containers to state recycling program; Improves processing payments and supports expansion of recycling opportunities
SB 387 Broadband on State Property: Allows state properties to be utilized to help incentivize broadband deployment
SB 478 Hidden Fees: Outlaws hidden fees set by companies to deceive consumers with incomplete advertised prices
SB 667 Nurse Midwives: Clarifies scope of practice for Nurse Midwives, ensuring patient access and care for pregnant women
SB 668 State Parks: Allows nonprofit operating and co-management agreements at state parks to continue
SB 808 CSU Harassment: Increases tracking, transparency and reporting of cases and settlement
SCR 17 Artificial Intelligence: Endorses the blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, while underscore the power of AI and risks as the first AI-drafted state resolution to pass a legislature
###
Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.