2024 February Newsletter

Dear Friend, 

With work starting in Sacramento, my team and I have already introduced five new bills! I am so proud to champion a great slate of legislation focused on justice for victims of abuse, corporate accountability, and climate action. Keep scrolling to read more about what we’re working on and stay tuned for more updates as these bills move through the legislative process. 

Here at home, my office is teaming up again with CalTrans to support a series of Dump Day events throughout the 37th Senate District. This Saturday, February 10th, in Lake Forest, is the next opportunity to drop off bulky household items like old furniture, mattresses, e-waste – at no cost. The Goodwill of Orange County will be on site to help divert gently used items from the landfill to those in need. This is a win-win for the environment and our local communities. 

As always, your feedback and input into the legislative process is encouraged. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to share your views on bills and any other issues that are important to you. 

Thank you for the honor of representing you and our Orange County community.

Sincerely,

Dave Min
Senator, 37th Senate District

SB 938 - End political lobbying by utility ratepayers 

Last year, it came to light that the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) was actively lobbying against the state’s clean energy rules and using ratepayer money to do this, billing its customers $36 million for political activities intended to reverse and undermine the state’s strong climate policies. Although federal regulations largely prohibit utilities from billing customers for costs to influence public opinion or the decisions of public officials, the lack of effective accountability mechanisms have enabled utilities to sneak these expenses into customers’ monthly bills.
 
It is absolutely outrageous that investor-owned utilities are lobbying to weaken our state’s climate standards, and then passing these costs on to ratepayers. 
 
SB 938 will put a stop to this practice by imposing stiff penalties on utilities that try to use ratepayer money for political purposes and creating new reporting requirements to make sure the utilities are actually complying with these rules.

SB 894 - Justice for survivors of adult sexual abuse by religious clergy 

In partnership with advocates and the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP), I introduced SB 894 to prohibit the sexual abuse of adults by religious clergy in California. The bill holds perpetrators accountable by establishing misdemeanor and felony charges for adult sexual abuse.
 
Survivors of sexual assault should be able to seek justice, regardless of who the perpetrator is. For too long, we have denied that justice to survivors when their perpetrators are religious leaders. Our priests, ministers, and other ordained clergy hold a unique position of power, and we have seen too many of them abuse this position to sexually exploit the members of their congregation. We cannot stand idly by while this power imbalance allows for the sexual exploitation of adults who are victimized because of their faith or religious reverence. 
 
The bill is poised to bring California in line with 13 other that have enacted similar laws to address the issue.

SB 965 - Cal DOJ firearms dealer report inspection  

It’s no secret that nearly all gun violence starts with legally purchased firearms, and here in California, we’re taking a long hard look at the role that gun stores play in this nationwide epidemic.

In 2023, the Governor signed my bill to require mandatory training and new gun dealer safety certifications for all federally licensed gun dealers or pawn brokers in the State of California. The measure will apply to nearly 2,000 gun stores – including 20 stores registered in Orange County. 

This year, I am again working with Brady United Against Gun Violence to take the implementation of this bill to the next level. SB 965 will not only require the California Department of Justice to conduct an intensive report on firearm dealer inspections, but publish findings that will shed light on criminal activity that leads to gun violence – including data on stolen firearms, background check outcomes, and the total number of crime guns that were traced back to the dealer during the time of inspection. 
 

Sacramento Bee - SoCalGas billed customers millions to fight clean energy, The Bee found. This bill could stop that

Los Angeles Times - Costa Mesa gets moving on park upgrades funded by $11.2M from local lawmakers

Orange County Register - California weighs law to protect adults from clergy abuse

Orange County Register - Bill would set up new rules against utilities billing customers for political work 
 

This Saturday’s Caltrans Dump Day

Don’t miss your chance to get rid of bulky household waste at the Caltrans Dump Day event at Lake Forest’s Saddleback Church. Teams will be onsite to take items like old mattresses, furniture and e-waste. The Goodwill of Orange County will divert gently used items from the landfill to those in need.

WHEN: Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 8:00am - 11:00am
WHERE: Saddleback Church 

1 Saddleback Pkwy
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Orange County Coastkeeper – River Cleanup!

Join Team Min and OC Coastkeeper to remove trash before it reaches the Upper Newport Bay! To learn more about how you can become involved with future cleanup events please visit the Coastkeeper website at www.coastkeeper.org/get-involved.  

WHEN: Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 9:00am - 11:00am
WHERE: Santa Ana Delhi Channel (Costa Mesa) 

Corner of Mesa Drive and Irvine Avenue 
Costa Mesa, CA 

RSVP at this link! 

To ensure safety and comfort please bring:

• Rain/rubber boots (if you have any) or closed toe shoes
• Reusable Water Bottle 
• Trash picker
• Sun protection such as sun screen, hat, and sunglasses
• Comfortable clothing, long pants recommended

Map to cleanup location on the corner of Costa Mesa Drive and Irvine Avenue. Residential parking is available on Anniversary Lane.