CalWatchdog Morning Read – September 30

• Brown OKs massive state-run retirement program
• Bill curbing “policing for profit” becomes law
• Drones still largely unregulated
• Definition of party-line votes is changing
• Gender-neutral bathrooms now the norm
• Republicans continue to lose Orange County stronghold 

Happy Friday! It’s also the last day for Gov. Jerry Brown to sign legislation, so expect a flurry of signatures and vetoes.

Thursday had quite the flurry of signatures as well. One of the most consequential measures signed into law yesterday makes it so that most workers in California will be automatically enrolled in a private retirement account run by the state, starting around 2018.

Through a legislative measure, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday, most workers in the state who don’t have access to an employer-provided retirement plan will automatically join the Secure Choice Retirement Savings Trust through their work, although employees can opt out.

Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León, who championed the bill, argued that while anyone already has the option of enrolling in a private account, many are not. 

The legislation also has provisions to block the state and employers from incurring any liabilities associated with the new program. However, critics are unconvinced that enough safeguards are in place.

CalWatchdog has more.  

In other news:

• “A bill reining in abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws by law enforcement agencies was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday, marking a significant victory for advocates of civil liberties,” reports CalWatchdog.

• “In a win for lobbying efforts in a budding industry, California has made it through another year with few limits on drones in its skies. Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday signed legislation that protects emergency responders and volunteers from liability should they damage a drone in the course of their work. But he vetoed the last four pending drone bills, saying he found it “more prudent to explore a more comprehensive approach” to the regulation of unmanned aircraft systems.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

• “Many faces have changed, but much about the California Legislature remains the same as a decade ago: Lawmakers consider thousands of bills and other measures, which frequently pass or fail strictly along party lines. But those lines were notably fuzzier in the just-completed session compared with a decade ago, legislative voting records show.” The Sacramento Bee has more.

• “Single-user restrooms to become gender neutral in California,” reports the Los Angeles Times.

• Republican voter registration advantage in Orange County continues to narrow. The Orange County Register has more. 

Legislature:

• Gone ’til December.

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced.

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