• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-California), Kamala Harris (D-California), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating July as American Grown Flower Month on May 14. The move is an effort to encourage consumers to buy “certified American grown” flowers. American consumers spend $27 billion on floral products each year, according to a press release from the legislators. While the majority of Americans would prefer to buy locally grown flowers, only 20 percent of the flowers sold in the United States are grown domestically. Still, nearly 75 percent of American-grown cut flowers are grown in California, Feinstein said in the release. This resolution will encourage consumers to look for the “certified American grown” label when buying flowers, which will support California growers. “I have seen firsthand the value the grown flower industry adds to our economy and communities during my visits with our Central Coast growers,” Carbajal said in the release. “I am committed to recognizing their contribution by designating July as American Grown Flower Month, in order to celebrate the beauty this industry brings to our homes and celebrations year round.”
• Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) was named Legislator of the Year by the California Police Chiefs Association, according to a statement Cunningham’s office released on May 15. “I am grateful to have received this award from our state’s police chiefs,” Cunningham said in the release. “The Police Chiefs Association is one of the most respected criminal justice advocacy organizations in the state. I am honored to have their support and look forward to continue working with them to move our state forward and keep our communities safe.” The California Police Chiefs Association recognized Cunningham for his role in passing legislation that aims to protect human trafficking victims and bolster measures that can be taken against traffickers. During the 2017-18 legislative session, Cunningham introduced and passed several pieces of legislation to crack down on human trafficking and protect trafficking victims. “Assemblyman Cunningham’s background as a criminal prosecutor gives him an insight into public safety policy that few in the Legislature have,” said Citrus Heights Police Chief Ron Lawrence, the California Police Chiefs Association board president. “His efforts have allowed law enforcement across the state to protect human trafficking victims and more aggressively go after traffickers. Our association is proud to name him our Assembly Legislator of the Year.”
• A few days ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Refugio Oil Spill on May 19, state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara) Senate Bill 169 passed the Senate 30-2. If passed in the Assembly, the bill would strengthen pipeline safety requirements in California by attempting to correct gaps in pipeline safety law that have allowed some operators to avoid state regulations. Specifically the bill states that all pipelines, regardless of whether they are being operated at full or partial capacity, are required to follow all applicable California laws. Some operators are sidestepping California’s pipeline safety requirements and defaulting to the less stringent federal standards by operating at partial capacity, according to Jackson’s office. SB 169 would also require pipeline operators to provide records necessary for inspection and compliance investigations to the state fire marshal when requested. “Californians know all too well the devastating impacts oil spills have on our communities,” Jackson said in a statement. “While the Trump administration moves to weaken environmental regulations, SB 169 will ensure that oil companies cannot sidestep California’s strong pipeline safety laws.”
