Bill highlighting Chinese American history in curriculum passes senate education Committee

On June 9 the Senate Education Committee approved AB 2864, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which will ensure that students in California receive instruction regarding the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the contributions made by Chinese-Americans in establishing the Transcontinental Railroad.

“Despite facing hardship, discrimination and unequal treatment, Chinese-Americans have played a significant role in the history of California and the United States,” said Assemblymember Chau. “It is imperative that students learn about the origins and implications of discrimination in any society, and the contributions made by California’s diverse communities, in order to develop an acceptance of diversity and full respect for human rights.”

The Instructional Quality Commission plays an integral role in determining the subject matter taught to students in the classroom.  It sets standards that form the basis of California’s curriculum frameworks and documents, which guide the implementation of these standards.   The first transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869 with Chinese laborers representing a significant portion of the labor force. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first major law to single out and forbid a specific ethnic group, the Chinese, from immigrating to, and becoming naturalized citizens of the United States.

“I am pleased to see AB 2864 move forward because as it will ensure that these historical events will continue to be highlighted in the framework and taught in classrooms throughout California,” concluded Assemblymember Chau.

Bill protecting students and parents from misleading solicitations in schools passes senate Committee

On June 14 the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee approved AB 2609, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which will protect school-aged children from directly receiving potentially misleading solicitations from for-profit companies to attend “prestige conferences.” These conferences appear to be awards of merit to students, but in actuality are costly conferences that may not be beneficial for students’ higher-education opportunities.

“Protecting our students from misleading solicitations that these companies engage in will ensure that parents have the ultimate say into who and what material is advertised to their children,” said Assemblymember Ed Chau. “This bill is about ensuring students’ privacy and shielding them from questionable marketing practices in our schools.”

AB 2609 will, additionally, require the materials used to advertise “prestige conferences” to include a disclosure that will plainly state that it is a solicitation and not an award, and that solicitation must specify the criteria required for participation. These disclosure requirements must also be given to the schools and their employees, who are often under the same impression that “prestige conferences” are awards to honor exceptional achievement.

“I am pleased to see AB 2609 move forward with overwhelming support from each side of the aisle, because it will protect our students and the financial well-being of California families,” concluded Assemblymember Chau.

Bill granting tax relief to mobile-home owners passes senate transportation and housing Committee

On June 14 the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee approved AB 587, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which creates a tax abatement program for mobile-home owners who cannot transfer title of ownership into their names, due to tax delinquencies incurred by prior owners.

“Mobile-homes provide a substantial amount of the affordable housing in the state, and owners are currently having difficulty transferring title of ownership into their names,” said Assemblymember Chau. “This bill will provide a means of correcting a system which unjustly penalizes current owners for someone else’s debt and provides an adequate means for them to finally achieve proper title of ownership.”

AB 587 establishes a tax abatement program for mobile-home owners who are unable to transfer title of their homes into their names. The abatement program would run for three years, starting in January 2017.  Eligible homeowners could apply for the abatement program with the Department of Housing and Community Development. If a mobile-home is on the local property tax system, then the County Tax Collector would also be involved in processing and approving the tax abatement.

“I am delighted to see AB 587 move forward because it will provide thousands of mobile-home owners with the mechanism necessary to finally have legal ownership of their homes and provide peace of mind for them and future generations,” concluded Assemblymember Chau.

Assemblymember Chau Statement on State Budget

On June 15 Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) issued the following statement today after the Legislature finalized the State Budget:

“Today’s Budget reflects our persistence and determination in securing a strong economic future for all Californians by building up our state reserves and making investments in education. This year’s Budget reserves include a combined total $8.4 billion, which will ensure the catastrophic effects of a future recession will not threaten California to the degree the 2008-2009 Recession did.

“This Budget also marks California’s continued commitment to future generations by increasing Child Care and Pre School funding by over $530 million once fully phased in, and making investments in higher education to increase enrolment rates and shorten the time it takes to graduate by providing $25 million to the CSU and $20 million to the UC.

“Of particular note, the Legislature has taken steps to make our Judicial branch more efficient by providing a $20 million augmentation for trial court operations, $5 million in support of grants to non-profits that provide free legal services to low-income families, and requiring courts to use in-person translators when reasonably available.”

Legislation to Prevent Drone Hit and Run Accidents Passes Senate Policy Committee

On June 21 the Senate Committee on Public Safety approved AB 1662, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which would protect people from ‘hit and run’ drone accidents by requiring the operators to remain at the scene of an accident and provide their name and address, along with valid identification, to the victim and police.

“As recreational drones become more prevalent, we are going to see more and more accidents that will likely result from human error,” said Assemblymember Chau.  “This bill applies the vehicle hit and run laws to drones, since they are just as capable as cars of causing personal injury and property damage when they fall out of the sky or get too close to people.”

In September 2015, an 11-month-old baby was injured in Pasadena, California when a hobbyist’s drone crashed on the ground near a stroller causing shrapnel to fly into the baby’s head.  According to news reports, the 24-year-old drone hobbyist, who was using his drone to view a nearby public screening of The Princess Bride, did the right thing by rushing over to the accident scene to help.  However, such a response is not required by law and the incident was only one of many drone crashes and near misses reported in recent months.

“This bill will help ensure that the operator does the responsible thing and comes forward and identifies himself or herself to the victim and to the police, whenever a drone that loses control hurts someone or damages someone else’s property.”

Asian Youth Center honored at California

Nonprofits Day celebration

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On June 23 Asian Youth Center (AYC) was honored as the Nonprofit of the Year, representing the 49^th Assembly District, during a celebration at the State Capitol in observance of California Nonprofits Day.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to honor the Asian Youth Center,” said Assemblymember Ed Chau (D- Monterey Park). “It has been my pleasure to work with AYC on numerous occasions, and today’s celebration presented a good chance to show its entire team that the community appreciates the exceptional work that they are doing.”

AYC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering low-income, immigrant, and at-risk youth and families, of all communities, to overcome barriers to success through the provision of culturally and linguistically competent education, employment, and social services. AYC provides services throughout Los Angeles County.

California Nonprofits Day was formally proclaimed by the State Legislature through the passage of ACR 192, authored by Assemblyman Rich Gordon (D-Menlo Park). The award recipients received their awards on the Assembly Floor with a photo opportunity and were then honored at a luncheon at Sacramento’s Sheraton Grand Hotel, with a keynote address from Sacramento Mayor-Elect Darrell Steinberg, and presentations featuring Assemblymember Gordon and Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits).

“Nonprofit organizations are vitally important to the economy and well-being of California. But too often nonprofits are ‘hidden in plain sight.’ We are thrilled that the State Assembly has passed a resolution putting the spotlight on nonprofits as an economic power that uses that power for the common good. We congratulate all of the award recipients on being honored for the great work they do every day to make California a better place,” said Jan Masaoka, CEO of California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), a statewide alliance of over 10,000 organizations, representing and promoting California’s growing nonprofit sector and working to bring the full power of nonprofits to strengthening communities.

Assemblymember Chau Presents annual state park pass to Alhambra Constituent

On July 1st Assemblymember Ed Chau (D–Monterey Park) presented to local constituent and veteran, Peter Aston, with a California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass that was donated by the California State Parks Foundation.  The pass was presented to Mr. Aston for his advocacy on AB 1972, which would allow disabled veterans to receive the Distinguished Veteran Pass, regardless of whether the disability is related to military service during wartime or peacetime.

“While we can never properly thank members of our military for all they have done, I believe that we should honor those who were disabled during their time of service by granting them access to our beautiful state parks at no cost,” said Assemblymember Ed Chau. “I want to thank Peter Aston for bringing this issue to my attention and look forward to helping all other veterans like him with the passage of this legislation.”

The California State Parks currently offers the Distinguished Veteran Pass, which is a special and free lifetime pass for qualifying veterans, to use all basic facilities in state parks at no charge.  In order to qualify for the Distinguished Veteran Pass, one must be an honorably discharged war veteran who is a resident of California with a 50% or more service-connected disability, or was held captive as a prisoner of war, or recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.  However, veterans who served during peacetime and who have a 50% or more service-connected disability do not meet the statutory requirements, and are therefore ineligible for the Distinguished Veterans Pass.  This can include veterans whose disability resulted from accidents involving military training activities.

Constituent and military veteran, Peter Aston, served from 1981 to 1986 and was disabled while serving during peace time.  He was denied the Distinguished Veteran Pass, because he did not meet the qualifications under current law and brought his concerns to the attention of Assemblymember Chau.

Assemblymember Chau authored AB 1972, which would allow veterans with over a 50% service-connected disability, and who were honorably discharged, to receive a free lifetime Distinguished Veteran Pass to allow them entry into the state park system, regardless of whether or not they served during a war or conflict recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Upon introduction of AB 1972, the California State Parks Foundation heard Mr. Aston’s story and wanted to thank him for his service by donating a park pass, as AB 1972 continues to move through the State Legislature.

Assemblymember Ed Chau represents the 49th Assembly District, comprised of the communities of Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City and portions of Montebello, and South El Monte.