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ADVISORY: Assembly Select Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Holds First Informational Hearing

Hearing Will Focus on Pandemic Recovery for Small Businesses

SACRAMENTO – On Monday, July 12, 2021, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Chair of the Select Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, will convene a hearing focused on small business recovery following the COVID-19 Pandemic. Panelists will present data of the current state of recovery and policy solutions for critical challenges facing small businesses. 

RELEASE: Bill to Help Seniors Remain in Their Homes Advances

AB 540 Will Increase Access to Safer, Less Costly Nursing Home Alternative

SACRAMENTO — The Senate Health Committee has passed legislation to increase access to wraparound healthcare services that enable seniors to age in the comfort of their own communities instead of nursing homes. AB 540 will help thousands of California’s growing population of seniors by improving beneficiary awareness and access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). 
 

RELEASE: EDD Fraud Prevention Measure Passes Public Safety Committee

Legislation Will Safeguard Taxpayer Unemployment Funds

SACRAMENTO – After more than $810 million taxpayer dollars were stolen last year, a bill to implement standard fraud-prevention practices at California's Employment Development Department (EDD) passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee. Authored by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, AB 110 will require the Employment Development Department (EDD) to cross-check incarceration records with unemployment claims in order to prevent paying fraudulent benefits and wasting taxpayer dollars.
 

06.29.21 Conservationists receive another $8-million boost from state legislators for Banning Ranch acquisition

Excerpted from the Daily Pilot

By Lily Nguyen

Conservationists are now at the $72-million mark of their $97-million goal to acquire Banning Ranch, a 384-acre property at the mouth of the Santa Ana River, and turn the oil field into a public park.

The Trust for Public Land announced Monday that state legislators allocated $8 million to be put toward the purchase of the property. Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) said in a Facebook post that she was “thrilled” to have secured the allocation in this year’s upcoming state budget.

RELEASE: Legislation to Increase Marine Life Restoration Projects Advances

AB 63 Will Help Mitigate Coastal Climate Change

SACRAMENTO – In a win in the fight against climate change, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris’ bill to expand critical coastal restoration work passed through the Senate’s Natural Resources and Water Committee with unanimous support. AB 63 permits restoration in marine conservation areas, expanding opportunities for marine life restoration projects that reduce the effects of climate change and human impacts like oil spills and overfishing.

RELEASE: Banning Ranch Gets $8 Million Boost from California Legislature

SACRAMENTO – California lawmakers have approved $8 million dollars towards the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conserve Banning Ranch, one of the last remaining parcels of privately owned land along the Southern California coast. The 385-acre property has long been eyed for its potential as a public park, nature preserve, and outdoor recreation destination.
 

RELEASE: Statement from Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris on the 2021-22 Budget Bill

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach), Chair of the Accountability & Administrative Review Committee, released the following statement after voting for Senate Bill 129, the 2021-22 state budget bill:

“A budget is a statement of values, and this year’s budget opens windows of opportunity and invests billions in California’s future.

06.24.21 PMMC receives state honor as nonprofit of the year for coastal O.C.

Excerpted from Laguna Beach Independent 

By Daniel Langhorne

Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) was named Wednesday by the State Legislature as the 2021 California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 74.

The Laguna Canyon-based nonprofit is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Since its founding, the nonprofit has rescued more than 10,000 animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and sea turtles on the Orange County coastline.