Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-49th District) has already introduced more than a dozen bills in only about eight months on the job so far, most of which have already reached Governor Brown’s desk. He discussed many of them at this morning’s Government Affairs Forum, sponsored by Expedia, and hosted by chairman Jack Orswell and Co-Chairs Mary Dougherty and Peter Ulrich.
Government Affairs Forum sponsorOne bill that is to be heard by the Appropriation Committee on Aug. 12 is AB 477, which would require Notary Publics to report instances of suspected financial abuse of senior and elderly citizens, particularly signatures obtained under false pretenses. California has the largest population of older Americans in the United States with the projections of it to increase from 3.7 million to 6.4 million over the next 20 years. There has been a 30% increase in abuse, Chau said, especially financial abuse. Notaries public play an important role in verification of signatures and of legal transactions.
AB 477 would allow the Attorney General to assess a fine of up to $1,000.
Another bill aimed to protect seniors is AB 381, which passed the Assembly Floor and is waiting further review by the Governor. It would allow the courts to award attorney’s cost and fees to seniors who were victims of elder financial abuse.
Chau also recently introduced legislation that would simplify Internet agreements that users must sign to use certain software and apps.
(More on Chau below…)
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In other monthly updates from state and local officials:
- Congresswoman Judy Chu’s rep Tommy Tseng announced the Small Business Develop Center in Pasadena City College is to open this month. Last Saturday Congresswoman Chu honored local non-profit organization Arcadia Chinese Association at a “DiversCities” event in the district. The Congresswoman has also introduced legislation regarding frivolous lawsuits on patent infringements.
- Supervisor Michael D. Antonvich rep Brian Mejia reported a new public safety app that can be accesses at www.TransitWatchLA.org , which allows transit users to report any suspicious activities.
— Two social workers who were involved in the tragic death of Gabriel Fernandez were fired by the Department of Children and Family Services. The 8 year old boy from Palmdale was allegedly beaten to death by his mother and her boyfriend in May.
— The Supervisor will be meeting with Arcadia City Council at 8 a.m. Aug. 7 and the public may attend.
— Brian also announced an E-Waste Roundup from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Santa Anita Park’s Gate 6 off Colorado Place. - Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority representative Rodrigo Gonzalez, at his final meeting before leaving the Gold Line later this month, noted the Gold Line’s 10th anniversary celebration last Friday. Workers will be closing down the middle two lanes of Santa Anita Avenue at the end of August to work on the median while traffic will shift to the outer two lanes. The entire road will be lowered later this fall after The Breeders’ Cup Nov. 1-2 to make room for cars to drive under the new bridge near Fasching’s Car Wash. Meanwhile, utilities are being relocated on Flower Street near First Avenue.
- Linda Sells of the Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte Town Council says the developers of a proposed four-story low-income housing project are working with locals who are opposed to the development due in part to a lack of parking.
- Chamber CEO Scott Hettrick noted an upcoming City Council public hearing on Aug. 6 regarding the proposed business district, during which mail-in votes will be counted to determine if the project is approved.
Assemblymember Chau was elected in November 2012 to represent the 49th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City and portions of Montebello and S. El Monte. He is a principal in a law firm and served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court. He is a member of the Assembly Committees on Banking and Finance, Judiciary and Labor and Employment. He is also the Chair for the Assembly Committee on Privacy. This committee will focus on various aspects of privacy especially internet privacy. He plans to find ways for businesses and consumers to become more aware of how personal information is collected and shared on the internet.