Legislation
One goal of the Council is to monitor legislative and regulatory activity that will affect perioperative patient care and the nurses that provide that care. Information posted on this page will be in chronological order and will include reports from a variety of sources.
Tentative Legislative Calendar for 2012: The legislature reconvenes on January 4, 2012 closing on August 31st. Their summer recess runs from July 7th through August 5th.
Governor’s Tax Letter:
Governor Jerry Brown has written an open letter to the people of California explaining the need to raise taxes given the state of the budget. This letter is provided for you to read.
Bills & Bill Folders:
SB 98 Board of Registered Nursing Sunset Bill:
This was sent to the Governor’s office for signature on February 2, 2012. Nurses rallied and contacted legislators encouraging them to vote YES on this bill. The vote was 55 ayes, 13 no’s and 12 not voting. The Republican’s were concerned about the process and many of them did not vote or voted no. The only Democrats that did not vote for the bill was Hayashi and Lara. Hayashi had procedures issues with the bill. Why Lara didn’t vote is not known. Calderon, Galiani, Gorell and Valadao were excused absenses. The bill was transmitted immediately to the Senate and then referred to the Senate Budge Committee. Executive Director of ANA\C testified on behalf of ANA\C and nurses throughout the state. The Republican’s had procedural concerns. Ms. Hunter spoke to a number of them privately after the hearing. One of them added on the floor as an Aye vote. Andesron and only four members voted no: Berryhill, Blakeslee, Gaines and Walters. All the rest of the Republicans were non voting. No one spoke up against the bill on the Senate Floor which was a major victory. Please send a thank you to the members who voted for the bill. This was a major victory.
SB-810 (D-Leno): This bill was passed by the Appropriations Committee and moves to the Senate Floor for a vote.
This bill would establish the State Healthcare System by creating a State Healthcare Agency. It makes all residents eligible for specified health care benefits under the System, which would, on a single-payer basis, negotiate for or set fees for health care services provided through the system and pay claims for those services. It creates the Healthcare Policy Board. Please read SB-810
Bill Folder 1.19.12 Status Report: The bills listed in this report were passed during this week. SB 122 has been put on suspense. Any bill with expense, even if it is licensing money, goes on suspense. ANA\C is sure this bill will not have a problem. The CNA bill that would have put more stringent requirements on orientation is not being moved by the author.
Health Care Reform Information:
California Health Care Benefit Exchange Information: The web site for this aspect of the HC Reform process is www.healthexchange.ca.gov
- CA has received $39 Million in funding to set up a new marketplace for health care insurance. This grant will help the state plan for and design a new health insurance marketplace to cover millions of Californians. Board Chair Diana Dooley announced the funds will be used to create a 3-year business and operational plan, begin development of an information technology infrastructure, and conduct other start-up activities including consumer outreach. The role of the group is to negotiate rates for insurance coverage for those in the individual and small business markets. Those interested can see the plans that have been approved side by side for comparison. There will be an outreach campaign to solicit public comment on three proposed rules regarding health insurance exchanges. One is scheduled for Sacramento. Date will be posted ASAP. Read more here.
Reports: These reports may come from a variety of sources
BRN Forcasts of the Registered Nurse Workforce in CA as of 11.10.2011
BRN Committee Report November 2011
BRN Committee Report September 2011
BRN Committee Report March 2011
CA Nurse Staffing Generates More Debate
General Political Information:
- Become an AORN Grassroots & Advocacy Leader.
AORN makes it easy to get started in the political arena. - Legislative Tool Kit:
Want to get involved in the legislative process?
Don’t know what to do?
Through our legislative liaison, Tricia Hunter, we are providing a tool kit rich with information to get you started. Each item in the tool kit is listed separately to make it easier to pick and choose. All together you will have a powerful information source. - List of Assembly Committee & Chairs of those Committees and their members
- 2010-2011 Constitutional and Elected Officers
- How to set up district meetings
- Setting up visits with your representatives
- Tips on sending emails, letters, and making visits
- Tips of visiting legislators office
- How a bill becomes a law
- Legislative Resource Directory
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State Resources:
All nursing statutes are under the Business & Profession Codes and they can be accessed by going to www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html.