Keep yourself in the loop about what’s going on legislatively in Sacramento by checking in on this report created by Jason Hodgson, Region XI VP for Legislative Action. Jason will update this report each month.
Following is the Legislative Update that published in the 2023 Region XI Fall Newsletter:
Unlike the State and Federal Tax deadline that was extended to October 15 and then (without rationale) another month-long delay to November 16, state legislation was required to be signed and was either signed or returned by the Governor on October 15. Similar to tax season, the bills and paperwork to be reviewed by the Governor by October 15 was daunting. On Personal Income tax delays, by all accounts it seems unlikely to have a significant effect on the State Budget. With the bills signed and delivered, districts must sort out how to meet the letter of 2024 law.
Important Legislative Updates
First on the list, and potentially most surprising to many, California joins 21 states with Assembly Bill 446, which means that cursive handwriting instruction will now be required learning for like English, math, and social sciences. The primary goal is to give students the ability to read and write in cursive. The bill turned law was introduced by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, who was a former public elementary school teacher before entering politics.
Most importantly for school districts, AB 1699 (McCarty) was vetoed. AB 1699 would have required vacancies for part-time or full-time positions to be open only to current regular and hourly classified employees, before the vacancy may be posted publicly for the general public to apply. Further, the bill would have given priority to current classified employees to be hired for the new position based on seniority.
Paid sick days are now five. With SB 616, employees now have access to at least 40 hours or five days of paid sick leave in each 12-month period of employment. While SB 616 requires an employee have access to additional sick days, it does not change the accrual rate. Employees must have access to 40 hours or 5 days of sick leave by the 200th calendar day of the employee’s employment. Current law requires an employee have access to 24 hours or three days of sick leave by the 120th calendar day.
Zero-emission vehicles with AB 579 (Ting). In January 2035, all new school buses must be zero-emission vehicles. CASBO estimates the fiscal impact, based on Senate Appropriations Committee analysis, full implementation replacing the entire fleet of school buses in the state (almost 16,000) will be at least $5.53 billion over time. Fingers are crossed that technology, infrastructure and the power grid will catch up in time, but it’s shadows share resemblance to high speed rails.
AB 5 (Zbur) requires districts provide at least one hour of training annually to for all certificated staff on cultural competency in supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) students beginning in 2025. The CDE must complete the development of an online training curriculum and online delivery platform by July 2025.
SB 105 earmarks $20.7 million in one-time federal funds for middle and high school after school programs, with language that directs the California Department of Education to “prioritize the allocation of the resources identified in this provision to support after school safety and enrichment for teens programs or a one-time rate increase for these programs.”
ACSA-sponsored SB 494 was signed by the Governor and prohibits school boards from terminating the contract of a superintendent or assistant superintendent without 72 hours notice.
AB 1023 (Papan) increases cybersecurity support for school districts by requiring the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC) to include a representative from the California Department of Education (CDE) and coordinate information sharing with school districts, county offices of education and charter schools.
SB 765 (Portantino) provides immediate relief to schools during the teacher shortage by making it easier to waive the 180-day mandatory waiting period and increasing the salary earning cap local educational agencies (LEA) must observe before hiring a recently retired teacher.
AB 483 (Muratsuch) expands access to school-based health and mental health services and increases funding for school districts by improving the Medi-Cal Local Education Agency Billing Option Program (LEA BOP). The bill modifies and imposes new requirements related to timelines, reporting, technical assistance, stakeholder engagement and guidance for LEA BOP.
In case you’re keeping track, SB 541 (Menjivar) was vetoed. Schools will not be required to make condoms available to students by the start of the 2024-25 school year.
A concise list of additional Ed-specific bills include:
Approved:
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- SB 88 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Pupil transportation: driver qualifications.
- AB 95 by Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) – Pupil nutrition: pupil meals.
- AB 370 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Pupil instruction: State Seal of Biliteracy.
- AB 373 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) – Intersession programs: foster children and homeless youth: priority access.
- AB 472 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Classified school district and community college employees: compulsory leaves of absence: compensation.
- AB 714 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Pupil instruction: newcomer pupils: curriculum frameworks: high school coursework and graduation requirements: exemptions and alternatives.
- AB 764 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Local redistricting.
- AB 1273 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Classified employees: Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Workgroup.
- AB 1327 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Interscholastic athletics: California Interscholastic Federation: racial discrimination, harassment, or hazing.
Vetoed:
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- AB 589 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) – Homeless youth: transitional housing.
- AB 1604 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Charter schools: school facilities: Charter School Facility Grant Program: conduit financing.
- SB 433 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Classified school and community college employees: disciplinary hearings: appeals: impartial third-party hearing officers.
- SB 486 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Interscholastic athletics: California Interscholastic Federation: state football championships: neutral locations.
Legislative Action Days 2024 – April 22-23, 2024, Sacramento
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- April 22-23, 2024, Sacramento
- Plan ahead and join Region 11 with 400 education leaders throughout the state sharing our local needs and stories with advocating for students in Sacramento. ACSA staff, along with experts in the field, provide members with briefings and guidance on current issues in education as well as offer the tools to directly lobby the legislature.
In spite of the cultural chaos playing out in some boardrooms and campuses around the state, the weather is cooling, AI is improving, and Fall is in full swing. There is much to be thankful for in education heading into 2024. ACSA will continue advocating in support of educational resources, finances, and the increasing needs of students and school administrators. Our Legislative Action Teams remain active around the Region. State ASCA resources are at: ACSA.ORG/ADVOCACY. Locally, our Charter VPLAs can be reached at:
- East Kern: Cristina Libatique,
- Inyo/Mono: Anthony Hughes,
- Kings: Victor Rosa,
- Tulare: TBD
- West Kern: Ty Bryson,
Wishing you a wonderful Fall!
Jason M. Hodgson, Ed.D.
VP Legislative Action
Region XI