October Newsletter

Last week marked an important deadline for signing the Legislature’s remaining 2021 bills. I am proud to announce that in my first year in office, I introduced a total of 15 bills, and eight of these were signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. These bills will make Orange County families safer and more prosperous, while helping to invest in a brighter future for our future generations.

My signed bills this year include:

• Senate Bill 264: Prohibits the sale of firearms, ammunition, and firearm precursor parts (used to build ghost guns) at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
• Senate Bill 308: Simplifies the process for transferring unclaimed property to the state for safekeeping, making it easier for those who own these unclaimed funds to receive them.
• Senate Bill 374: Adds reproductive coercion to the definition of domestic violence.
• Senate Bill 391: Allows Homeowners Associations (HOAs) to meet virtually during times of officially declared emergencies and disasters.
• Senate Bill 500: Requires all autonomous vehicles to be zero emission by Model Year 2031
• Senate Bill 512: Expands access to higher education for current and former foster youth.
• Senate Bill 607: Increases efficiency and provides clarifying authority for business licensing programs to continue to do their important regulatory work.
• Senate Bill 654: Requires judges to consider a history of abuse when placing children in unsupervised visitation and prevents children from testifying in front of parties seeking custody.

This year I successfully steered over $37 million in direct appropriations for Orange County priorities, a hopeful sign that the 37th Senate District is and will continue to be a priority for future State investments. Additionally, I was the principal co-author of SB 87, which added $2.1 billion to California’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant program. This important relief  program allocated over $60 million to local small businesses in cities throughout our District with more grants on the way since the Legislature doubled the program to $4 billion. I am proud to have also supported my Orange County colleagues in the Senate and State Assembly to help shepherd nearly a quarter billion dollars to other local projects, which you can find HERE.

In the past, both Orange County and this District had consistently been among the lowest recipients in the state when it came to state investments of any kind. It’s been incredibly gratifying to work on a bipartisan basis with my colleagues in Sacramento to get results for our community, and I’m grateful to all our members-Republicans and Democrats alike-who came together to help get us through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and on a path toward recovery for all Californians. 

During the 2022 legislative session, I hope to continue to build on this moment starting first with how to best address the cascading impacts of the Orange County Oil Spill on our coastline, economy, and future generations. As we approach the one month mark since over 24,000 gallons of heavy crude spilled into our waters, I’ve been hard at work to find legislative solutions that will ensure this never happens again.  Over the last four weeks a growing coalition of local, state, and national partners have pledged their support to my forthcoming bill to effectively ban offshore oil drilling in California.

On October 21, the City of Huntington Beach joined our neighbors in Laguna Beach to call for an end to oil drilling along California’s coastline-the 100th city to do so. It won’t be easy, but ensuring that these disasters will never happen again is the best way to protect our natural environment, our health, and the wildlife in the area.

It’s also smart for our economy and the next generation of Orange County workers. California is known around the world for our beautiful beaches and coastal ecosystems, which attract more than 150 million visitors each year and facilitates a $44 billion coastal economy that employs half a million people. If this past year as your elected representative has taught me anything about the people of Orange County, it’s that our capacity for compassion is outweighed only by our indominatible spirit for hard work and doing what’s right.

I thank you again, and always, for this honor and great privilege to serve our community.

Yours in Service,

Dave Min
State Senator, District 37

 

OC OIL SPILL DISASTER UPDATE

 

 

Thank You to Our First Responders

While most Orange County Oil Spill coverage we’re seeing focuses on what is happening on our coast, behind the scenes, first responders from local, State, and Federal agencies have been working around the clock to mitigate this man-made disaster. It was truly humbling to tour the Incident Command Post, witness the multiagency coordination underway, and to hear directly from our experts how CA has used the lessons of past oil spills to prevent catastrophic harm to our environment. For a more detailed update on what my office has been working on through this disaster, please click HERE.

Thank you to the US Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local agencies including the Orange County Fire Authority for your hard work on behalf of our communities. Orange County owes you a great debt.

 

While the Oiled Wildlife Care Network has recovered over 106 birds, sadly only one third of them have been recovered alive. With almost over 500,000 lbs of oiled debris and tarballs already collected, our Orange County community has gotten straight to work on returning our coastline to its former beauty. In a briefing earlier this week, we received good news that the OWCN is set to demobilize if trends continue with no further impacts to our local wildlife.

Help for Impacted Small Businesses

 

After my call on the Governor to declare a state of emergency in Orange County, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved Federal disaster assistance loans for impacted small businesses. The State emergency order is now in effect and applicants may download SBA disaster loan applications HERE.

Contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

Enough is Enough

In January, I’ll be introducing legislation that would end all drilling in California state waters, including under existing leases. I was proud to be joined by my colleague in the Senate, Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) as well as an array of Orange County leaders, in asking our federal counterparts to do their part to prevent spilling in federal waters.

So many leaders have already answered the call, including Academy Award winner and activist Jane Fonda, who joined a coalition of state and local legislators in Laguna Beach to help sound the alarm to end offshore drilling.

Our precious California coastline is a huge economic driver for the state and we cannot allow it to be constantly defiled by the oil spills that are endemic to offshore drilling. The minimal benefits of offshore drilling for Califorrnia are dramatically outweighed by its enormous costs to our economy. Californians are getting a raw deal, and we need to end this.

 

 

FALL RECESS HIGHLIGHTS

Hispanic Heritage Month Honorees

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month I recognized local Latino Leaders who embody the true values of Orange County by working to improve our communities for future generations. Though we honor them during this celebratory month it is important to recognize that they work tirelessly year round and the impact of their work transcends beyond the Latino community.

 Promotoras de Salud Orange County - Community Health Fair

I was privileged to join Promotoras de Salud for a Community Health Fair, and would like to thank Power of One Foundation for donating over 100 boxes for distribution to families in need. Inequities in our communities continue to be exacerbated due to COVID-19, so we’ve got to keep advocating for increased access to healthcare and services, regardless of what language our neighbors speak.

 

 

2021 Educators of the Year

Let’s hear it for our educators! My office honored some of the hardworking individuals who helped our students succeed during this challenging year with our inaugural “Educator of the Year” recognition.

 

 

Celebrating the Arts in Orange County

I’ve always felt that the arts spark a light deep within the human spirit, and here in Orange County, the Pacific Symphony League has spent the past 30 years honing and harnessing that light within us all.

I was honored to present the Pacific Symphony League with a Senate Resolution in recognition of their long-standing service to our community.

 

Standing with OC Workers

Our team was happy to go out to Orange to support the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW 324) to stand in solidarity with essential workers in support of their call for better wages, hours, and treatment by CVS.

 

 

Solutions to Reduce Homelessness

I spent time touring the Illumination Foundation’s Fullerton Navigation Center, an integrated services hub providing temporary housing, healthcare, mental health services and other services to the homeless. This facility has become a national model for addressing homelessness, by leveraging healthcare dollars to provide an integrated model of healthcare, housing, and counseling to the most chronically homeless.

Amazingly, none of the neighbors have complained and the facility has raised local property values by ending local homelessness. I was pleased to recognize the Illumination Foundation, and I am eager to try to bring these lessons to bear on our homelessness crisis here in Orange County.

 

State of the City - Orange

I was honored to take part in the City of Orange’s State of the City event at Chapman University and hosted by the Orange Chamber, where I presented local leaders and businesses awards of recognition for their service to the City of Orange and the greater Orange County area. These local heroes and leaders are the backbone of our district and represent the best of what our community has to offer! Congratulations to Margaret Greinke (2019 Citizen of the Year), Thompson Building Materials (Large Business of the Year), Communications Lab (Small Business of the Year), and the Assistance League of Orange (Community Organization of the Year).

 

Tustin Tiller Days

I had the honor of joining the City of Tustin at the Tustin Tiller Days Kickoff Party. It was a pleasure speaking with the Mayor and Councilmembers, and seeing the beautiful festival come together! 

 

 

 

Small Business Growth Summit

I was excited to kick off this year’s Growth Summit hosted by the Small Business Development Center at Cal State Fullerton. Now, more than ever, supporting our local small businesses is our best way to drive our economy forward and foster modern innovation.

 

 

Zonta International

A few weeks ago I participated in the 2021 Zonta District 9 Biennial Conference to discuss the importance of advocacy and leadership. These outstanding executives and professionals work tirelessly to empower women everywhere through international education programs and service projects.

 

 

US Open of Surfing

I was totally psyched to visit the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach! I saw some incredible surfers including Huntington Beach’s own Kanoa Igarashi, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist.

Thanks to the World Surf League’s Graham Stapelberg for organizing this event and showing me around.

 

New Mariner Training Center at OCC

I was delighted to kick off the grand opening of Orange Coast College's new Professional Mariner Training Center in Newport Beach.

This is a perfect example of innovation in our CA community colleges. With huge demand for ferry operators, sailors, and cargo pilots, this new Center is going to be a shining jewel for Orange County, helping local youth find great careers and will act as a driving force of economic growth for our region.

 

 

Electrify Expo

I was excited to join Orange County’s very first Electrify Expo, showcasing state of the art electric vehicle (EV) technology in Irvine. Hosting North America’s largest E-Mobility Expo is just another example of how OC can and should be a hub for green jobs.

Building on my bill SB 500 that was signed this year, I look forward to ways California can continue to help support the EV movement, which is both critical for addressing climate change and innovating some of the coolest cars on the road.

 

 

Coastal Cleanup Day at Bolsa Chica & Crystal Cove

On Coastal Cleanup Day, my team and I were excited to stop by the Bolsa Chica Reserve to thank the volunteers who had come out to clean up and get to work. Thanks to Executive Director Kim Kolpin for all you do to protect and preserve Bolsa Chica.

Later that morning, the family and I headed over to Crystal Cove to join in Assemblymember Cottie Petrie Norris’ beach clean up. With over 150 volunteers, there wasn't a lot of trash to find, but we did our best! Our OC coastline is such a magnificent place. Let's make sure to treat it with respect!

 

Taekwondo Day

This year, we in California celebrated our very first Taekwondo Day! Thank you to everyone who helped pass this measure to officially recognize Korean martial arts here in Orange County and across our great state.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

Next month, I am partnering with Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris on two Small Business Clinics in Newport and Laguna Beach. Resources will be made available at no-cost by the Small Business Development Center of Orange County, who will offer 30-minute consultations and one-on-one sessions related to marketing, operations, finances, and more.

Tuesday, November 2 at 5pm-8pm: Newport Beach Civic Center

• REGISTER TODAY: newport-business-clinic.eventbrite.com

Thursday, November 4 at 5pm-8pm: Laguna Beach Community Center

• REGISTER TODAY: laguna-business-clinic.eventbrite.com

Please note that appointments are available on a first come first serve basis.

ICYMI: PAST EVENTS

The State of the District

As we approach our first full year in office working for the people of the 37th Senate District, I was proud to deliver my first Annual State of the District address, and to take questions from our constituents. To watch the full address in its entirety go to https://www.facebook.com/SenatorDaveMin/videos/?ref=page_internal or click HERE.

Our First In-Person Town Hall

Town halls are good for democracy. Since entering office in 2020, I’ve held over 11 town halls with communities across my District in the first ten months of my term.

We hit a major milestone this last month by holding our very first in-person town hall at UC Irvine alongside Assemblymember Cottie Petrie Norris. Thank you to the Associated Students of UC Irvine who made this special event happen.

 

Small Business Webinar

We had an incredibly informative Webinar with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Orange County & San Bernardino. We discussed free resources, grants, and relief programs for small businesses, including how to apply for the latest round of Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants.

 

A very special thanks to the Chambers of Commerce from the cities of Costa Mesa, Irvine, Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, Orange, Laguna Beach, and Tustin for their partnership on this informative event.

 

Watch the Small Business Webinar on YouTube or by clicking HERE.

 

Senior Scam Stopper

Earlier this month, I, along with Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris and the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) held an informational meeting where panelists explained how seniors, their families, and caregivers can protect themselves from scammers.

 

Watch the Livestream on Facebook or click HERE.

 

 

 

FROM THE CAPITOL

 

I’m proud of  the work our team has accomplished during our first legislative session, which turned out to be a year like none other. From rebuilding our economy to fighting for common-sense gun reform, here’s a look at some of the bills I authored that were recently signed by Governor Newsom. 

 

• SB 264: I am proud of the passage of this bill, which prohibits the sale of firearms, ammunition, and firearm precursor parts (used to build ghost guns) at the Orange County Fairgrounds. But I also want to make clear that I am not satisfied with ending gun shows at the OC Fairgrounds, and I will seek to take up this cause again next year. The State of California needs to get out of the business of selling guns. You can read our press release by clicking HERE.
• SB 308:  I’m proud that this bill brings our government up to date with the technological changes we’ve seen in the 21st century. We have simplified the process for transferring unclaimed property to the state for safekeeping, making it easier for those who own these unclaimed funds to receive them. By expanding the use of electronic funds transfer in the unclaimed property remittance process, we have a safer, more reliable and more efficient process than processing paper checks. You can read our press release by clicking HERE.
• SB 374: This law will save the lives of women by providing them with access to relief. Reproductive coercion is sadly a far too common form of domestic abuse, but until now, it has not been recognized as a form of domestic violence. I thank our supporters for their dedication to this issue, and my colleague Senator Susan Rubio for introducing this bill with me, adding reproductive coercion to the definition of domestic violence. You can read our press release by clicking HERE.
• SB 391: This legislation provides a common-sense solution allowing remote meetings when Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are confronted with emergency situations that make in-person business impracticable or dangerous, as we have seen this past year with the pandemic and a series of wildfires. You can read our press release by clicking HERE.
• SB 500: This legislation requires all autonomous vehicles under 8,501 pounds to be zero emission by model year 2031. While we only have a handful of autonomous vehicles on the road today, it won’t be long before these cars and trucks are ubiquitous. We are moving toward a zero emission transportation system, and emerging technologies like automated vehicles should be leading the way. California has led the world in both introducing new technology and in fighting climate change, and this legislation will help to ensure that California continues to set the standards in these areas. You can read our press release by clicking HERE.
• SB 512: I am proud of the passage of this bill, which removes barriers to entry and expands eligibility for priority enrollment at the UC, CSU and CCC for students who were in foster care on or after their 13th birthday, aligning with FAFSA. Foster youth face several barriers to accessing higher education, including the NextUp program which is meant to help rather than pose additional barriers. It's important that we remove existent barriers for foster youth because they are a vulnerable population of students who already experience unique challenges and barriers to higher education without the NextUp program.
• SB 607: This legislation increases efficiency and provides clarifying authority for business licensing programs to continue to do their important regulatory work.
• SB 654: This bill requires judges to consider a history of abuse when placing children in unsupervised visitation and prevents children from testifying in front of parties seeking custody. I am focused on protecting families from violence and abuse and promoting youth welfare, and I’m proud of the progress that we’ve made. You can read our press release by clicking HERE.