Ramos measures range from preventing suicide on state bridges, to continuing local election oversight from FPPC to increasing safety on tribal lands
SACRAMENTO— Assembly lawmakers approved four Ramos bills dealing with public safety, election oversight and the reburial of Native American human remains.
The Ramos bills that will now head to the Senate are:
AB 31 (Tribal Police Pilot Project) establishes a three-year pilot project that would grant peace officer status to California tribes in a limited capacity in the State of California. AB 31 is sponsored by the Yurok Tribe and supporters include the Peace Officers Research Association of California, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Habematolel Pomo Of Upper Lake, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and others. It was approved on a 79-0 vote.
AB 359 (Fair Political Practice Commission) repeals the sunset date authorizing the Commission to contract with local agencies to advise on, implement, and enforce local campaign finance or government ethics law. It is sponsored by the Fair Political Practices Commission and also supported by the City of San Bernardino, League of Women Voters of California and California Special Districts Association. It was approved on a 79-0 vote.
AB 440 (Suicide Prevention) would require the Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) to work in collaboration with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on the review and deployment of suicide prevention measures on state’s bridges. The bill requires OSP to identify areas with a history of suicide attempts and provide recommendations to Caltrans on potential solutions that would reduce the risk of future incidents. AB 440 is sponsored by the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and also supported by the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, California Police Chiefs Association, NAMI California, Bridge Rail Foundation, California State Association of Psychiatrists, Children Now and others. It was approved 79-0.
AB 977 (California State Universities Tribal Burial Sites) would require the California State University (CSU) system, in consultation with Native American tribes, to develop a policy to identify available CSU-owned land for the reburial of Native American human remains. It would also require the establishment of a Northern, Central, and Southern site for those purposes. Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokuts Tribe is the sponsor. Other supporters include the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Tule River Indian Tribe and Society for California Archaeology. It was approved 79-0.
