Press Releases

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.

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.

SONOMA – Sonoma Ecology Center, which has a nearly 30-year history of environmental stewardship and preservation in the Sonoma Valley, and most recently has taken leadership roles in regional wildfire recovery and the transition of Sonoma Developmental Center to local control, has been named Nonprofit of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation inspired by the 2017 wildfires from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would ramp up penalties for caregivers who desert elders during emergencies cleared a key committee today on a unanimous vote.

“We simply cannot allow our seniors to be left behind to fend for themselves when disaster strikes,” Sen. Dodd said. “They must be protected, especially with the growing wildfire threat. This bill penalizes caretakers who shirk their responsibilities and encourages more people to do the right thing.”