BEstates: A Tax on Guns in CA. Ending Algorithm Discrimination in DC. The Right to Read in IL.

Select highlights on state legislation you should pay attention to ... because it could end up where you live, too

State Legislatures Currently in Session …

California 

AB1416: This bill would require a county, for a statewide primary or special statewide general election conducted as an all-mailed ballot election or otherwise, to provide an additional vote by mail ballot drop-off location on the main campus of each California State University within the jurisdiction and, upon request, each University of California campus within the jurisdiction. The bill would require an elections official, when selecting ballot drop-off locations under existing law, to give preference to locations on certain California Community college campuses.  

AB1738: This bill would, commencing with the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code, require the commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development to research and develop, and authorize the commission and department to propose for adoption, mandatory building standards for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations with low power level 2 or higher electric vehicle chargers in existing multifamily dwellings, hotels, motels, and nonresidential development during certain retrofits, additions, and alterations to existing parking facilities that are issued permits on and after the effective date of those building standards, as specified. 

AB1227: This bill, the Gun Violence Prevention, Healing, and Recovery Act, would, commencing July 1, 2023, impose an excise tax in the amount of 10 percent of the gross receipts from the retail sale in this state of a handgun and 11 percent of the gross receipts from the retail sale in this state of a long gun, rifle, firearm precursor part, and ammunition, as specified. The tax would be collected by the state pursuant to the Fee Collection Procedures Law. The bill would require that the revenues collected be deposited in the Gun Violence Prevention, Healing, and Recovery Fund, which the bill would establish in the State Treasury. 

District of Columbia

B24-0558: As introduced Bill 24-558 would prohibit users of algorithmic decision-making in a discriminatory manner and would require corresponding notices to individuals whose personal information is used in certain algorithms to determine employment, housing, healthcare and financial lending. 

B24-0267: As introduced, Bill 34-267 would codify the 2050 carbon neutrality commitment, as well as add interim targets for greenhouse gas reductions between 2025 and 2050. It would require the District to achieve carbon neutrality for emissions associated with District government operations by 2040, and prepare an inter-agency action plan for achieving this goal. The legislation would revise the 50% target to 2030, to align with the recent 2030 target announced by the Biden Administration. It would also require the Department of Energy and the Environment to report annually on the District’s progress toward these targets. 

B24-0946: This legislation prohibits nearly all forms of segregated confinement for individuals incarcerated at penal institutions owned, operated, and controlled by the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. This legislation also limits the use of safe cells, and, in certain circumstances, requires that people with mental health emergencies be treated at local hospitals and institutions if they cannot receive the care they need in a secured setting. Lastly, this legislation requires the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to create a plan to eliminate segregated confinement and to report to the Council the effects of this legislation. 

Illinois

SB1041: Reinserts House Amendment No. 3 with the following changes. Provides that the Task Force on Infant and Maternal Mortality Among African Americans shall partner with Holistic Birth Collective to advise the Department of Healthcare and Family Services on the development of a Medicaid voucher program that is eligible for federal dollars to expand consumer choice for Black mothers that includes planned home birth services and in-home perinatal and postpartum care services provided by racially concordant nationally accredited certified professional midwives who are licensed and registered in Illinois. 

SB2510: Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly possess an assault weapon 300 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, except possession of weapons registered with the Illinois State Police in the time provided. Provides exemptions and penalties. Effective immediately. 

HB5788: Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Provides that a firearms restraining order may be granted against a respondent under the Act regardless of whether the respondent has in his or her custody or control a firearm, ammunition, or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm. 

HB5032: Creates the Right to Read Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall offer support: to each public school district to select evidence-based core reading instruction programs and implement them using structured literacy instruction; and to each early childhood, elementary, and special education teacher, reading specialist, literacy coach, and administrator to complete evidence-based training in teaching reading. Requires the State Board of Education to annually compile and post on its website information on the steps it has undertaken to support school districts to deliver high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction….Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning educator testing, requires applicants seeking specified licenses to pass a test in reading foundations….