Megan Dahle

This bill requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control to construct a publicly accessible platform were manufactures must annually register products that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). There are over 9,000 PFAS in existence which are in hundreds of common household products such as nonstick cookware, furniture, raincoats and shampoo.  Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the federal government already monitors PFAS substances and this measure will place significant additional costs on taxpayers, manufacturers, and ultimately consumers.

Advancing Government Overreach through a Costly New Reporting and Registration System for Products Containing PFAS Substances.

This bill extends the duration of postpartum coverage provided under Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) from 60 days to 1 year. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further grows government-provided healthcare and dependency while also placing significant additional costs on both state and federal taxpayers.

Increasing Government Dependency by Expanding Medicaid Postpartum Coverage from 60 Days to an Entire Year.

This bill requires all health insurance policies, including Medicaid, offered in the state to provide coverage for biomarker testing to diagnose, treat, manage, or monitor a person's disease or condition "if the test is supported by medical and scientific evidence." Oppose is the Limited Government Position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.

Increasing Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating All Policies Provide Coverage for Biomarker Testing

The "California Climate Crisis Act" legally binds the state to its goal of "net-zero" carbon by 2045, and maintain and achieve negative greenhouse gas emissions in the years following. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further cements the state to its disastrous environmental agenda, which will stifle economic growth and lead to sky-rocketing prices for businesses and consumers.

Stifling Economic Growth by Codifying the State's Disastrous 2045 "Net-Zero" Carbon Goal.

This bill requires all new charter schools to participate in either the state's Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) as opposed to offering their own 401k style plans.  This change would subject charter schools to additional regulations and costs. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this new mandate harms school choice by making it more costly to operate a charter school. This bill is primarily designed to help bail out the state pension system as California has some of the highest unfunded pension liabilities in the country.

Threatening School Choice by Forcing Charter Schools to Participate in Costly State Retirement Programs.

The "Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act of 2022" further increases the stringency of a landmark climate bill passed in 2018 which requires all electricity sold in the state to be 100% clean by 2045. SB 1020 establishes additional benchmarks such as requiring 90% of electricity sold be carbon free by 2030 and 95% by 2035. Furthermore, all state agencies must now obtain their power from renewables by 2035. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as these unnecessary new mandates will only further drive-up electricity costs for consumers, businesses and taxpayers. Lawmakers should instead spur economic growth (which ultimately leads to environmental improvement) through an "all of the above" approach to energy procurement.

Hiking Energy Costs by Imposing Even More Stringent Renewable Energy and Zero-Carbon Electricity Mandates

This bill establishes the "California Coordinated Neighborhood and Community Services Grant Program" which provides state grants to certain organizations in federal "Promise Neighborhoods". Many of these groups have politically-motivated agendas, such as bill sponsor "StriveTogether" which promotes on its website how its network member led the passage of a ballot measure which hiked property taxes in Colorado to increase school funding. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayer funds should not be utilized to advance political initiatives. The private sector (through charitable endeavors) is best equipped to direct funding to the groups and initiatives which are most needed and beneficial to communities.

Expanding Cronyism and Unnecessary Spending by Providing Grants to Government-Favored Community Groups with Politically Driven Agendas.

This bill creates a new "Water Rate Assistance Program" which would require taxpayers to subsidize the water and wastewater utility bills of certain individuals based on income. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as further growing the size and scope of the government welfare state disincentivizes advancement and traps individuals into government dependency and poverty. The private sector, through charitable initiatives, is best equipped to help support those in need and work to make them self-sufficient.

Growing Government Dependency by Providing "Water Rate Assistance" to Certain Utility Payers based on Income.

This bill requires consultation of the "California Healthy Places Index" when determining freeway expansion projects. According to the sponsor, the bill is designed to end "systemic racism" resulting from freeway expansion projects in low-income communities of color. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this politicized measure will merely increase travel and commute times across the state, while further driving up taxpayer costs and delays in critical infrastructure projects.

Blocking Infrastructure and Freeway Expansions to Prevent "Racist Roadways".

The "Contraceptive Equity Act of 2022" requires all health insurance policies offered in the state to provide coverage for vasectomies and over-the-counter contraceptive drugs, devices and products. All of these services and products must be provided without any deductible or cost-sharing requirement. Additionally, the bill adds "reproductive healthcare decisions" to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, thus prohibiting employers from taking any discriminatory actions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.

Increasing Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating All Policies Cover Vasectomies and Contraceptives at No Cost.

This bill authorizes the State Air Resources Board every three years to review and increase the stringency of the state's cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gases. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the state's cap-and-trade program already places enormous unnecessary costs on businesses. This measure will further worsen the situation by allowing unaccountable government employees within ARB to inflict even greater harm to the state's business climate.

Threatening Businesses with Higher Costs by Increasing the Stringency of the State's Cap-and-Trade Program.

This bill establishes a new pilot program within the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHSA) which provides additional taxpayer funding to primary care clinics that perform abortion and are located in five counties across different regions of the state. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is not the role of government to promote abortion and force payment from taxpayers to advance abortion (many of whom may have strong religious objections).

Channeling Tens of Millions of Additional Taxpayer Funds to Providers of Abortion in "Marginalized Communities".

This bill, modeled after the Texas law allowing anyone to file lawsuits alleging violations of abortion laws, allows anyone to sue another individual who constructs, transports or offers for sale a firearm banned by the state, such as an "assault weapon" or unserialized firearm. Like the Texas law, the bill offers bounties of at least $10,000 for prevailing claimants. fi. The bill even includes language that the provisions will become inoperative if the Texas statute is struck down by the Texas Supreme Court or U.S. Supreme Court. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. Lawmakers should not infringe the Second Amendment rights of their own state residents to politicize the actions taken by other states.

Attacking Firearm Owners and Second Amendment Rights by Allowing Anyone to Sue Another Individual Who Constructs, Transports or Sells a Firearm Banned by the State.

This bill establishes the "Electric Bicycle Incentive Project" to provide vouchers to income-eligible individuals to purchase e-bikes at certain retailers. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only do measures such as this provide competitive advantages to government-favored companies, and further hike taxpayer costs, but also disincentivize advancement and grow government dependency by expanding the welfare state.

Growing Government Dependency by Providing Electric Bicycle Vouchers to Certain Individuals Based on Income.

This bill prohibits most health insurance plans, except for a specialized health care service plan contract, from requiring any cost sharing for abortion, such as a deductible, coinsurance, or copayment. The bill also applies to Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.

Increasing Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating Policies Provide Abortion Services Without any Co-Pay or Deductible.

This bill requires a ballot drop-off location be placed on each California State University Campus in addition to the other locations required by law. Additionally, when selecting drop-off locations across the state, the bill requires election officials to prioritize community college locations. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill politicizes the placement of ballot drop-off locations due to the very high levels of voting amongst college-age voters for a particular political party. While the state should eliminate all drop boxes, such placement should at least be based on population and determined in a non-politicized manner to ensure free and fair elections.

Weakening Election Integrity through the Politicized Placement of Ballot Drop Boxes Across All State University Campuses.

This bill establishes the "Birthing Justice for California Families Pilot Project", which funds community-based doula groups to provide services to individuals who are otherwise not eligible under the state's Medicaid system. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure further increases government dependency under a state system that already provides benefits to a substantial portion of the population through Medi-Cal. Lawmakers should instead work to reduce barriers for charitable organizations to direct aid and assistance to those that truly need it, not expand the ineffective welfare state.

Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Additional Doula Services Through the Creation of the "Birthing Justice for California Families Pilot Project".

This bill requires the California Health and Human Services Agency to establish a website providing various abortion related information.  Such information includes the locations of abortion providers, available practical support services like airfare, lodging, meals, etc., and payment support resources. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is not the role of government to promote abortion and force payment from taxpayers to advance abortion (many of whom may have strong religious objections). All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.

Promoting Abortion through the Creation of a State Website to Provide Information on Abortion Providers and How to Obtain Support Services Such as Airfare, Meals and Lodging.

This bill declares that physicians and surgeons commit "unprofessional conduct" if they "disseminate misinformation" related to COVID-19, including false or misleading information regarding the nature and risks of the virus, its prevention and treatment; and the development, safety, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines". Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this politicized measure promotes government censorship and prevents physicians from best serving their patients - which is especially problematic considering the everchanging guidelines and determinations being made by the government concerning COVID-19.

Allowing the State Medical Board to Punish Doctors for Spreading Alleged "Misinformation" about COVID-19.

This bill requires pharmacists to complete at least one hour of continuing education in a "cultural competency course" every two years. The course must focus on individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and must also "contain elements demonstrating how sexual identity is directly impacted through intersectionality." Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill is largely designed to enrich entities and individuals who provide such "cultural competency services". Instead of this politically-motivated government mandate, pharmacists should be free to select the trainings which will provide them the greatest value and information to serve their patients.

Forcing Pharmacists to Undergo an Hour "Cultural Competency" Course Every 2 Years Focused on LGBTQ+ Individuals.

The "Gun Violence Prevention, Healing, and Recovery Act" enacts an additional 3.75% sale tax on firearms and ammunition sold in the state. As a result, purchasers of firearms and ammunition may face a sales tax rate of over 25% when factoring in the state tax (11%), local taxes (up to 3.5%) and the federal tax (11%). This taxation also does not include the amount passed onto consumers through the $37.19 fee placed on firearm dealers plus other taxes. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This measure serves to punish law-abiding individuals who wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights through outrageous levels of taxation.

Attacking Second Amendment Rights through Additional Taxes on Firearms and Ammunition - Resulting in a 25% Sales Tax Rate.

This bill imposes a series of new restrictions on the governing practices of Home Owners Associations (HOAs) and other planned communities.  For example, the bill places new regulations on HOAs concerning the ability of owners to rent their units as well as how issues are discussed on social media platforms. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is not the role of government to dictate the private contractual agreements and operations of HOAs. HOAs serve as free-market alternatives to government zoning and land use standards, as individuals can choose the restrictiveness of the community they wish to join or select to live on property outside the governance of an HOA.

Infringing Private Contracting Rights through Government Overreach into the Governance Practices of Private Condominium Associations

This bill makes it much easier for union leaders to unionize agricultural workers across the state's 30,000 farms. Specifically, the bill authorizes usage of a "card check" system which allows leaders to publicly pressure workers into unionizing, as opposed to the existing "secret ballot voting" system.  Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure will subject agricultural workers to significant new levels of intimidation and harassment to unionize by labor leaders. Measures such as this highlight the importance of "Right to Work" legislation, which protects the ability of individuals to work without joining a labor union.

Hiking Consumer Costs and Empowering Union Leaders by Unionizing the Agricultural Industry through a Card-Check System.

Beginning in 2024, this bill requires all children to attend kindergarten prior to entering first grade, which was previously optional. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill removes decision making from parents, who are best equipped to make decisions regarding their child's education.

Weakening Parental Rights by Mandating Kindergarten Attendance for All Children.

This bill requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to adopt new regulations which require the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at certain existing commercial buildings including multi-family dwellings, hotels and non-residential developments. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the free market - not government employees - is best equipped to determine the need, placement and amount of electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure. Empowering the DHCD to impose mandates may inflict significant financial harm onto some smaller businesses.

Advancing New Electric Vehicle Charging Station Mandates on Existing Multi-Family Dwellings, Hotels and other Commercial Buildings.

This bill further expands the state's expungement policy (previously limited to just misdemeanors and low-level felonies) to now include nearly any previous criminal offense after six years have passed.  Oppose is the Limited Government Position as while expunging low-level and non-violent criminal records can help reduce potential employment barriers, this expansive measure which expunges serious violent crimes threatens public safety.

Threatening Public Safety by Expunging Felony and Violent Criminal Records.

This bill further expands the reporting requirement placed on employers which requires them to disclose pay rates by job category according to race, sex and ethnicity. Now employers must publish their pay scales and employers with 100 or more contractors must also disclose this information for their contracted workers. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this further government intrusion into the marketplace infringes confidential employer and worker contracting rights, while also subjecting employer to additional public harassment.

Subjecting Employers to Further Harassment by Expanding the State's Pay Data Reporting Mandate to Include Contractors and Pay Publishing.

This bill replaces the partial sales tax exemption for manufacturing equipment and research and development with a full sales tax exemption through 2028. This exemption covers items such as machinery, computers and special purpose buildings used for manufacturing or research and development. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with as low of rates as possible for everyone. The central planning and tax cronyism enacted under this measure provides special benefits and advantages to the manufacturing industry while shifting tax burdens to all other industries and companies that do not share the same business model. Instead, lawmakers should instead utilize the $500 million in tax savings to provide a broad tax cut across all industries, which will allow the free market to provide far greater job and business growth.

Increasing Tax Burdens on Other Individuals and Businesses through an Expansion of Sales Tax Exemptions for Research and Development and the Manufacturing Sector.

This bill requires all publicly serving businesses to provide individuals with an "eligible medical condition" (such as inflammatory bowel disease) access to their toilet facilities. The access must be provided even if the toilet facility is otherwise only available to employees, and a business can be fined $100 for each case of non-compliance. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as lawmakers should not further grow the regulatory state and impose mandates on private businesses to account for the near endless list of medical conditions that individuals may face. Such one-size-fits all mandates may also result in abuse of business restrooms - especially when considering California's extremely high homeless rates.

Forcing Private Businesses to Grant Access to Employee Restrooms for Individuals with an "Eligible Medical Condition".

The "Buy American Food Act" places more stringent domestic procurement requirements on California public schools and universities concerning their agricultural food purchases. Previous law required institutions to procure only domestically grown and processed foods unless the cost was greater than 5% of the non-domestic alternative. This bill now requires the non-domestic alternative to be at least 25% more costly, which is estimated to cost taxpayers an additional $1.9 billion. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill is largely designed to enrich California agricultural producers and labor unions, while unnecessarily punishing taxpayers who will be forced to bear the higher costs. The bill also directly violates the limited government principles of free trade and markets.

Increasing Taxpayer Costs by Worsening Protectionist Agricultural Procurement Mandates Placed on Schools and Universities.

This bill establishes the California Reproductive Health Service Corps "for the purposes of recruiting, training, and retaining a diverse workforce of reproductive health care professionals in underserved areas." The bill directs funding towards scholarships, stipends for living expenses and childcare, and loan repayment for providers who work at a "corps-approved site". Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayers should not fund scholarships or loan repayments for any industry, let alone an industry which faces strong opposition by a significant portion of the population.

Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Scholarships and Training for Abortion Providers by Establishing the "California Reproductive Health Service Corps".

This bill establishes the California Reproductive Health Equity Program, which provides no cost or reduced cost abortion services to women earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, the bill requires health insurers which provide plans without abortion coverage to religious employers, to provide written notice to those enrollees that they may be eligible for no cost abortions through the state program. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as regardless of ones view on abortion, it is not the role of government to provide such coverage and force the costs onto taxpayers, many of whom have deep religious objections to the practice.

Providing "Free" Abortions to Women Earning up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.

This bill further boosts payouts under the state's Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, which is funded through an additional 1.1% payroll tax on most workers. Specifically, the bill increases the wage replacement rate from 70% to 90% for workers who earn up to $57,000 a year. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill will inevitably lead to a further increase in the state payroll tax due to the higher payout and greater incentive for individuals to utilize the benefit. Instead of further growing this state wealth transfer initiative, lawmakers should eliminate the program and allow individuals to choose whether or not to purchase paid leave insurance through the private marketplace.

Further Expanding Wealth Redistribution Under the State's Paid Leave Program by Hiking the Wage Replacement Rate to 90%.

This bill prohibits online retailers from utilizing single-use plastic envelopes, cushioning, bubble wrap, or polystyrene to ship products to consumers. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only will this bill significantly drive up consumer product costs but also increase the likelihood of damage during the shipping process. imposes additional government restrictions on businesses and drives up prices in favor of an environmental agenda.

Increasing Consumer Costs and Shipping Damage by Banning Online Retailers from Utilizing Single-Use Plastic Envelopes, Bubble Wrap and Styrofoam.

This bill requires local agencies which permit groundwater wells to obtain written verification stating a proposed well will not "undermine sustainable groundwater management or cause well interference". This additional statewide mandate is expected to significantly raise costs for well applicants and potentially limit the ability of some landowners to utilize the groundwater beneath their property. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as well drilling is already regulated at the local level and this additional state-wide regulatory barrier places significant costs onto businesses and may provide favor to certain landowners while infringing the property rights of others.

Weakening Property Rights by Placing Costly and Excessive Regulatory Barriers to Drill New Groundwater Wells.

Beginning in 2025, this bill requires thermoform plastic containers (such as "clamshell" trays for take-out food, plastic egg cartons, bakers trays, etc.) to contain at least 20-30% recycled content.  The bill also imposes penalties on producers for non-compliance. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill serves as yet the latest mandate which infringes business and consumer choice for food packaging and unnecessarily drives up cost. The state's two largest cities have already imposed bans on Styrofoam food containers.

Hiking Consumer Costs by Imposing Recycled Content Mandates for a Wide Range of Common Consumer Plastic Containers.

The "Small Business Procurement and Contract Act" establishes a 25% small business target for infrastructure contracts issued through the $14 billion the state received under the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all government contracting and procurement decisions should be based strictly on factors relating to cost and quality. Contracting quotas and mandates such as this bill merely restrict competition and unnecessarily drive-up taxpayer costs, while also potentially reducing project quality and timeliness.

Hiking Taxpayer Costs through an Additional Small Business Procurement Mandate for Infrastructure Projects.

This bill prohibits any warehouse or logistic building greater than 100,000 square feet from being constructed within 1,000 feet of a "sensitive receptor". The bill defines a sensitive receptor as any home, apartment, school, church, hospital, daycare, community center or public playground. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only does this bill infringe property and development rights, but it also hikes consumer costs by preventing distribution facilities, such as Amazon, from being centrally located in the communities they serve. This resulting urban sprawl leads to longer delivery times and an unnecessary negative environmental impact.

ILA

Megan Dahle