Press Releases

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

SACRAMENTO – California could take out an insurance policy to protect itself from emergency response costs arising from wildfires and other unexpected disasters under legislation that cleared a key Assembly committee today co-authored by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Treasurer Fiona Ma.

Monday, June 24, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Horse-racing safety legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that is prompted by deaths of horses at Santa Anita Park was approved by the Legislature today with unanimous support and heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for a signature.

Friday, June 21, 2019

SACRAMENTO –Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s draft wildfire recovery outline:

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Davis-based D.S. Powell Construction Co., a family-owned residential and commercial developer serving for more than four decades in Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties, was recognized today by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, as 2019 Small Business of the Year.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Low-income college students would have reliable access to nutritious food through the Cal Fresh program under a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that cleared the Assembly’s Human Services committee today.

“Students shouldn’t have to starve in order to get an education,”  Sen. Dodd said. “Hunger is a serious problem on California college campuses today. My bill will ensure students of modest means don’t go hungry by making it easier for them to receive public assistance.”

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

SACRAMENTO –Legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would help California manage its water, protecting the precious resource for people and the environment, cleared a key committee today.

“This bill is an important step toward managing our water for the long run,” Sen. Dodd said. “‘You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Stream gages provide important information in this era of droughts and flooding, driven in part by climate change.”

Friday, June 14, 2019

ROHNERT PARK – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced today the next joint hearing of the Assembly and Senate select committees on the wine industry will be June 28 at Sonoma State University.

Sen. Dodd is co-chair of the Senate select committee along with Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, chairs the Assembly select committee.

Members of the select committees will hear from expert panelists on topics including the state of wine education and research as well as emerging markets and appellations. The hearing will be livestreamed.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Horse-safety legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that gained support and urgency amid the continuing death of racing horses at Santa Anita Park cleared a key Assembly committee today on its way to a floor vote, possibly as soon as next week.

“Exigent circumstances demand we act swiftly to pass this legislation and put an end to this heartbreaking cycle of horse deaths,” Sen. Dodd said. “I appreciate the committee’s chairman, Assemblymember Adam Gray, and Speaker Anthony Rendon for their support in helping to move this bill forward.”

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced today the 2019-20 state budget will include $9.25 million in funding for research to better understand and forecast atmospheric rivers, leading to improved flood control and water retention in a state grappling with the effects of climate change and chronic drought.

Monday, June 10, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Legislation inspired by the 2017 wildfires from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would expand penalties for caregivers who abandon elders during emergencies was approved by the Assembly today on a unanimous vote and heads next to Gov. Gavin Newsom for a signature.