Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Assembly committee advances package of bills on holidays, procurement, safety and small business
Summary
The California State Assembly Governmental Organization Committee advanced a package of bills on Oct. 27 that would add Diwali as a state holiday, allow the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk prices for disaster rebuilding materials, tighten procurement rules to prevent forced labor, require prevention tools at large music festivals, strengthen nonprofit payment protections, create a paid California Native American Day and extend temporary outdoor‑dining permits for restaurants.
The California State Assembly Governmental Organization Committee on a series of bills advancing proposals on state holidays, procurement reforms, disaster rebuilding, public‑safety measures at festivals and regulatory relief for neighborhood restaurants.
AB 268 — Diwali state holiday Assemblymember Ash Kalra, joined by joint author Assemblymember Darshana Patel, introduced AB 268 to add Diwali to California’s official state holidays. Kalra said, “It’s an honor to present AB 268,” and described Diwali as a festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains across California. Supporters, including San Jose resident Rajvi Patel and representatives of faith and community organizations, urged the committee to recognize the holiday as a reflection of California’s diversity. The committee moved the bill out of Governmental Organization to the committee on public employees and retirement with a recorded aye recommendation.
AB 770 — Definition of “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez presented AB 770 to define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays. Gonzalez said the bill would “clarify and codify the term customary maintenance” so regulators and the billboard industry share a consistent standard. Luis Gerardo Cuellar, vice president of legislative affairs for Bulletin Displays, testified in support, saying the bill’s definition would improve worker and public safety by making maintenance authority clearer. Assemblymember Gibson moved the bill and Assemblymember Solace seconded; the committee voted to pass AB 770 to appropriations.
AB 783 — State bulk purchasing to lower rebuilding costs after disasters Assemblymember Colosa described AB 783 as an attempt to make essential construction materials more affordable after declared disasters by authorizing the Department of General Services (DGS) to negotiate bulk prices and contracts for common residential materials. Colosa said the materials “will be offered at cost or with minimal administrative fees” for recovery efforts in declared…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
