Analysis by EdSource.org: Home to the largest number of American Indians in the country, California is now the first state in the nation to ban the use of "Redskins" as a school team name or mascot. Earlier efforts in 2002 and 2003 were unsuccessful. Many Native Americans and school climate advocates consider "Redskins" a racial slur. In 2013-14, there were 38,616 students identified as American Indian enrolled in California's public schools. Just four California schools continue to use "Redskins" as a team name and mascot.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 25-10-5 on Sep/8/2015; Passed Assembly 60-10-10 on Sep/10/2015; State Rep. Young Kim voted YES; Signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Oct/15/2015
Assembly Bill 2524 will convert Crime in California and other annual reports published by the California Department of Justice into digital data sets that will be published on the Attorney General's OpenJustice Web portal. These reports provide statistical summaries including numbers of arrests, complaints against peace officers, hate crime offenses, and law enforcement officers killed or assaulted. The OpenJustice Web portal will transform the way this information is presented to the public with interactive, accessible visualization tools, while making raw data available for public interest researchers.
Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown
Pro-ban argument by the Humane Society: The Los Angeles Superior Court has upheld California's ban on trade in ivory and rhino horn, rejecting claims that the ban was unconstitutional. Elly Pepper, deputy director of wildlife trade for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: "California's ivory ban ensures that illegal elephant ivory is not sold under the guise of legal ivory."
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 54-21-5 on Sept/04/15; State Rep. Young Kim voted NO; Passed Senate 26-13-1 on Sept/02/15; Signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Oct/4/15.
Analysis by DeathWithDignity.org: California's physician-assisted dying law took effect on June 9, 2016. Patients may request and physicians may prescribe life-ending medications under the law. The End of Life Option Act closely follows the model of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act with some modifications, most of which are required to comply with the California statute.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 44-35-1 on Sep/05/2015; State Rep. Young Kim voted NO; Passed Senate 23-15-2 on Sep/11/2015; Signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Oct/15/2015
Pro-car seat argument by CSFTL (Car Seats For The Littles): Rear facing is 5 times safer for children who are between 1 and 2 years old. When children ride rear facing, instead of their head flying forward in a crash, the child's head, neck, and back will be supported by the car seat, reducing the amount of pressure put on the child's undeveloped spine.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 65-13-2 on May/11/15; State Rep. Young Kim voted NO; Passed Senate 32-7-1 on Aug/24/15; Signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Sept/21/15
Pro-teaching argument by the CPEDV (California Partnership to End Domestic Violence): By addressing dating and sexual violence through a school-wide, coordinated policy response, we can create a safe space for students. AB 329 ensures that pupils gain the "knowledge and skills they need to form healthy relationships that are based on mutual respect and affection, and are free from violence, coercion, and intimidation." Dating abuse and sexual violence prevention can be addressed throughout sex education instruction.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 26-14-0 on Sept/10/15; Passed Assembly 51-26-3 on Sept/11/15; State Rep. Young Kim voted NO; Signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Oct/1/15.
SFGate.com veto analysis: Gov. Brown said in his veto message that existing laws "already ensure that the voting strength of minority communities is not diluted." The law signed by Gov. Gray Davis in 2002 allows minority groups to challenge at-large (city-wide) elections, increasing the likelihood of control by a white majority. [Since 2002] over 100 local governments switched to district elections. The [new] law could challenge district lines if intended to dilute minority votes.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 26-14-0 on 9/3/15; Passed Assembly 53-24-3 on 9/8/15; State Rep. Young Kim voted NO; Vetoed by Gov. Brown on 10/10/15.
Bill excerpt:A person is liable for physical invasion of privacy when the person knowingly enters onto the land or into the airspace above the land of another person without permission or otherwise commits a trespass in order to capture any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of the plaintiff engaging in a private, personal, or familial activity and the invasion occurs in a manner that is offensive to a reasonable person.
Legislative record:Passed Senate 40-0-0; passed House 78-0-2 Aug. 27; signed by Governor Oct. 6 (Rep. Young Kim voted AYE).
The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for California House and Senate.
Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for California House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Young Kim. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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