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LOS ANGELES TIMES: Orange County OKs funds for aircraft to monitor and help predict wildfires’ spread

Excerpted from Los Angeles Times

By Daniel Langhorne

The Orange County Board of Supervisors accepted a $4.5-million state grant Tuesday that will fund a 150-day pilot program for a fixed-wing aircraft that will monitor area wildfires, providing incident commanders with real-time information on fire conditions.

The Orange County Fire Authority will oversee operation of the dual-prop plane, which will be flown by a contractor, Courtney Aviation.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: California ethnic studies must add lessons on Jewish Americans and anti-Semitism, schools chief says

Excerpted from Los Angeles Times

By Nina Agrawal

The Jewish experience in America, including teachings about anti-Semitism, must be included in California’s new ethnic studies curriculum, the state schools chief said Wednesday, following sharp criticism of the draft by many Jewish groups and an announcement by top education leaders that it “falls short” and will undergo substantial revisions.

RELEASE: Climate Resiliency Bill Approved by the Legislature-- AB 1011 Incentivizes Habitat Restoration Projects to Protect the California Coast

SACRAMENTO – In an effort to incentivize nonprofits to undertake projects that provide habitat restoration and improved public access to coastal resources, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D–Laguna Beach) is working with the Coastal Commission on AB 1011 to provide fee-waivers to nonprofits. This legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate (39-0) and is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.

RELEASE: Legislation Addressing Legal Services Gap for Active Duty Members Passes Senate Policy Committees - Bill expands coordination of pro bono legal services for Active Duty Members and their families

SACRAMENTO – On a 6-0 vote with bipartisan support, Assembly Bill 558, authored by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D–Laguna Beach), passed out of Senate Veterans Affairs Committee July 9, 2019. The bill also received unanimous support in Senate Judiciary Committee on July 2, 2019. AB 558 seeks to fill the need for legal services for active duty military members. Current law requires the California State Bar to coordinate pro bono legal services for veterans.

RELEASE: Bill to Establish the Ecosystem Resilience Program Advances - Watershed Protection for Now & the Future

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) is carrying Assembly Bill 933, which will establish the Ecosystem Resilience Program within the Department of Conservation to provide funding for Watershed Coordinators to develop and implement watershed improvement plans. AB 933 passed the Senate Natural Resources  and Water Committee today, July 9, 2019, on a 7-1 vote.

RELEASE: Bill to Help Seniors Remain in their Homes Receives Unanimous Support - Changes Will Enhance Service Delivery and Streamline PACE Programs

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) is authoring Assembly Bill 1128 which will help more seniors remain in their homes and in our communities, by streamlining the licensing for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) facilities. Today, AB 1128 passed on a bipartisan vote in the Senate Health Committee.