Eight legislative victories every Californian should know about

Coming out of the 2023 legislative session, over twenty CALPIRG-backed bills have advanced and now head to Governor Newsom’s desk to be signed into law. Here is a roundup of eight bills we think could have a real positive impact on the lives of everyone who calls California home. 

1. The right to repair our stuff 

   Once the Governor signs the Right to Repair Act (Senate Bill 244), Californians will have access to the parts, tools, and repair information needed to fix our electronics, appliances and other devices. We can keep our phones, washing machines, printers and other machines in use longer which will not only save us money, but will help take a huge bite out of the state’s electronic waste problem. Californians currently dispose of approximately 46,000 cell phones per day, and only 15 to 20 percent of electronic waste is recycled.  

   

   CALPIRG staff and volunteers with State Senator Susan Eggman and members of the Right to Repair CoalitionPhoto by Andy Smith | TPIN

2. A cleaner, healthier ride to school

   Starting in 2035 California school children could be much more likely to ride to school on an electric bus. Assembly Bill 579 sets a state goal of 100% new electric school buses by 2035. The majority of California’s 24,000 school buses currently run on diesel. Transitioning to an all-electric fleet will not only reduce global warming emissions, but it will eliminate the tailpipe pollution that has been linked to serious health risks, including respiratory illness and cancer.

   

   CALPIRG staff with Assemblymember Phil Ting and partners working for 100% electric school buses.Photo by Ricky Mackie | TPIN

3. No more junk fees

   One of the most basic tenets of consumer protection is transparency. Hidden fees jack up prices for everything from hotels to food deliveries to cable, leaving consumers blindsided when they finally reach the checkout screen. If Senate Bill 478 becomes law, consumers will be able to see the whole price of a product upfront, prior to purchasing.

   

   CALPIRG Advocate Sander Kushen speaks at a press conference introducing legislation to address junk feesPhoto by Staff | TPIN

4. Protections against surprise ambulance bills
   

   No one in a medical emergency should hesitate to call 911 for fear of a large out-of-network ambulance bill, and they definitely don’t have time to consult a network directory to make sure the ambulance they call is covered by their health plan. Assembly Bill 716 will prohibit surprise ambulance bills, so Californians could soon make sure that protecting their physical health isn’t so detrimental to their financial health.

   

   When Jennifer Reisz was hit with a surprise ambulance bill, she found PIRG’s campaign and we helped her share her story with state legislatures and voice support for AB 716.Photo by California State Assembly | Public Domain

5. Safer food

   We should be able to trust that the food we eat and feed our kids is safe, but some ingredients on the market are connected to harmful health impacts. Red Dye No. 3 for example is added to kid’s treats like freeze pops and strawberry milk to give them their red color, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has known of a link between Red 3 and cancer in lab rat tests for decades. Assembly Bill 418 will ban four toxic food ingredients, including Red Dye 3. If this bill becomes law, many popular foods will be safer for our families.

   

   Food ingredients like Red Dye #3 have been linked to cancer in rats.Photo by PxHere | Public Domain

6. Less microplastic in the water
   

   A shocking amount of plastic is shed from our clothes, and enters our waterways from our washing machines. One study estimated that in 2019, as much as 2,200 tons of synthetic microfibers were generated from apparel washing in California.  But thanks to Assembly Bill 1628, starting in 2029 new washing machines sold in California could come with filters designed to capture microplastics and prevent them from entering our environment and waterways.

   

   Microfibers from clothing are a major source of microplastics in our environment.Photo by Staff | TPIN

7. Better lead testing in schools

   Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin, so we should be doing everything we can to get lead out of drinking water, especially our schools as lead is particularly toxic to children.  Assembly Bill 249 requires better lead testing and remediation in school drinking water, helping our kids’ get access to safe, clean drinking water where they learn and grow.

   

   The most recent testing found dangerous lead levels in the drinking water of 1600 California schools.Photo by Phase 4 Photography | Shutterstock.com

8. Few bee-killing pesticides

   We depend on bees to pollinate one-third of our food. They’re essential, and yet we’re poisoning them. Assembly Bill 363 will help save the bees by banning bee-killing pesticides called neonics from being used in lawns, gardens, and golf courses. If signed, our state will join six others that are taking action to save the bees.

   

   CALPIRG Students at UC Riverside campaign to save the beesPhoto by Staff | TPIN

What’s next?

We made incredible progress this year advocating for consumers and creating a more healthy, livable California. We didn’t win every bill we set out to, so we’ll keep bringing people together to tackle California’s urgent problems, but we’re pleased with what we’ve accomplished this year, thanks in large part to our supporters.