MOMS

Anthony J. Portantino

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 Moms for America 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 constitutional amendment establishes new fundamental rights to choose to have an abortion and utilize contraceptives. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as all abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life. Furthermore, this amendment may force religious medical entities to violate their sincerely held beliefs.

Taking the Lives of the Unborn through a Constitutional Amendment Declaring a "Right" to Abortion.

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 Moms for America 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 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 Moms for America 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 prevents the Medical Board of California from suspending or revoking the license of medical professionals who has been punished by another state for performing an illegal abortion. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill obstructs the ability for states to hold abortionists accountable for performing illegal abortions. All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.

Preventing the Medical Board of California from Taking Disciplinary Action Against Physicians Who Performed Illegal Abortions in Other States.

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 Moms for America 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 permits nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives to perform first trimester abortions without the supervision of a physician. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill allows over 20,000 additional individuals to now take the lives of the unborn. All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.

Allowing Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives to Take the Lives of Unborn Children Through Abortion without Supervision of a Doctor.

This bill repeals the requirement that the state preserve all applications for mail ballots for 22 months following the date of federal elections, and 6 months from the date of state and local elections. Additionally, election officials are now required to also send a "second ballot" via mail to a "voter representative" upon written request by a voter. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill promotes ballot harvesting as well as weakens safeguards to prevent voter fraud.   Such safeguards against fraud are critical to ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Weakening Election Integrity by Ending the Preservation of Vote by Mail Applications and Expanding Recipients of "Second" Mailed Ballots.

This bill requires the Medical Board of California, Board of Registered Nursing and other boards to expedite the license application for applicants who demonstrate they intend to perform abortions. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill incentives medical professionals to take the lives of the unborn while delaying the process for all other healthcare providers. All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.

Incentivizing Abortion by Expediting State Licensure of Doctors and Nurses who Intend to take the Lives of the Unborn.

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 Moms for America 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 expands Family PACT (government-provided healthcare) to include prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases for individuals who already may be insured and are not at risk of experiencing or causing an unintended pregnancy. The bill is primarily directed at LGBTQ individuals who may have confidentiality concerns using their insurance for treatment. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill further grows government-provided healthcare and dependency while also estimated to place tens of millions of dollars of additional costs onto taxpayers.

Increasing Government Dependency by Providing STD Treatment to all LGBTQ Individuals at the Expense of Taxpayers.

This bill places a 6-month limit on the amount of time a juvenile offender may be placed on probation except in limited cases. Additionally, the court is no longer required to place certain conditions on juvenile probation such as attending counseling, repairing property, performing community service or repaying apprehension costs. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill limits the ability of courts to maintain public safety and protect property rights. This measure is especially troubling considering the enactment of other changes to the criminal justice system which have loosened penalties and led to rising crime rates.

Increasing Crime and Harming Public Safety by Placing a 6 Month Limit on Juvenile Probation.

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 Moms for America 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.

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 Moms for America 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 expands legal aid eligibility under the Sargent Civil Counsel Act to now include individuals who may be residing in the country unlawfully. Taxpayer funded aid that is provided under this act includes certain civil, housing-related, guardianships, and domestic violence related matters.  Oppose is the Moms for America Position as it is not the role of government to guarantee taxpayer-funded legal counsel in civil matters - especially for individuals who are residing in the country illegally. Measures such as this merely further incentive illegal immigration.

Expanding Taxpayer-Funded Legal Aid Programs to Illegal Immigrants.

This bill allows the Franchise Tax Board to revoke the tax-exempt status of an organization if the California Attorney General determines the organization has "actively engaged in, or incited" an offense such as treason, insurrection, seditious conspiracy, or government overthrow. The sponsor of the bill stated the measure is necessary since many non-profits supported the "insurrection" by "pro-Trump extremists" by perpetuating a "false narrative that the Democrats stole the 2020 election". Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill directly violates due process rights under the law. While any group found to commit a criminal act should be held accountable under the law, this measure instead serves as a weapon for politicians to unjustly target their political opponents and organizations.

Providing the AG Overreaching New Powers to Revoke the Tax-Exempt Statuses of Non-Profit Organizations without Due Process if they Allegedly Incite "Insurrection".

The "Platform Accountability and Transparency Act" requires social media to publicly disclose how their algorithms push information. This includes statistics on items of content that violated their platform policies and were recommended or amplified through their algorithms.  According to the bill's sponsor, the measure is needed to bring transparency to medical disinformation, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this government overreach into the private sector places significant financial and regulatory costs onto the tech industry, which is ultimately passed down to consumers.  Except in cases of fraud or criminal activity, industries are best governed through free market principles whereby consumers hold private companies accountable.

Expanding the Regulatory State by Placing Costly New Reporting Mandates on Social Media Companies Concerning Content Policy Violations

This bill provides a $1,000 refundable tax credit to single-filers earning up to $40,000, and joint-filers earning up to $60,000, who do not own or purchase a car. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as lawmakers should not use the power of government to centrally plan the lives of individuals and wage war against the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, growing the size and scope of the government welfare state disincentivizes advancement and traps individuals into government dependency and poverty.

Growing Government Dependency by Providing $1,000 to Income-Eligible Individuals without Automobiles.

This bill imposes new reporting requirements on healthcare insurers regarding the amount of money collected and expended within their segregated accounts to pay for abortion services. Under existing state law, all health insurers must collect $1 per enrollee per month specifically for abortion services. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill likely serves as a new tool to advocate for increased funding and expenditures for abortion services. All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.

Funneling More Funds to Abortion by Imposing New Reporting Requirements on the $1 Monthly Abortion Surcharge on all Healthcare Plans.

This bill is largely in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which found the use of arbitrary "may issue" standards for concealed carry licenses to be unconstitutional. Under the bill, "gun free zones" are significantly expanded - including all private businesses by default unless they post a sign saying it is permitted. Additionally, concealed carry training requirements and costs are increased, among a number of other provisions. Oppose is the Moms for America 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 undermine the Supreme Court's decision and limits the ability of law-abiding individuals to defend themselves from criminals.

Infringing Second Amendment Rights and Defying the Supreme Court Ruling through New "Gun Free" Zones and Concealed Carry Law Changes.

This bill eliminates provisions within the law which require the coroner to investigate certain fetal deaths. The bill also prohibits the use of the coroner's statements on the death certificate from being used for a criminal prosecution. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as the state should not eliminate critical safeguards which protect newly born children from being murdered under the guise of the tragedy of abortion.

Covering Up Infanticide by Prohibiting Coroner Investigations of Fetal Deaths.

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 Moms for America 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%.

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 Moms for America 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 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 Moms for America 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 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 Moms for America 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 expands the state's "Gun Violence Restraining Order" (GVRO) or "red flag" law to expand the category of persons who may petition a court to issue an order. Specifically, roommates, dating partners and those with "substantial and regular interactions" may now seek to have a firearm immediately taken away from another person through an "ex-parte" (one-sided) petition to a court if the individual alleges the person in possession of the firearm is in danger to themselves or others. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as the one-sided petition violates due process under the law (an individual can't provide their defense) and this program lacks provisions that prevent nefarious individuals from abusing the system to harass or harm law-abiding individuals, thus unduly infringing their Second Amendment protections and leaving them defenseless.

Further Expanding Firearm Seizures Without Due Process Through the "Gun Violence Restraining Order".

This bill requires the boards of the Public Employees' Retirement System and the State Teachers' Retirement System to divest of their holdings in all fossil fuel companies by July 1, 2030. Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill potentially sacrifices higher investment returns for taxpayers in order to advance a politicized environmental agenda. All state investments should be conducted in a manner to provide taxpayers with the greatest returns based on risk, and not be based on politicized Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles.

Harming Taxpayers and Reducing Investment Returns within the Public Employee Pension System by Mandating Divestment from Fossil Fuel Companies.

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 Moms for America 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.

The "Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act" or "FAST Recovery Act," establishes a 10 member fast food council made up of appointees by the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly and Senate rules committee. The council would have power to set minimum wages, working hours and various other labor standards and regulations.  Oppose is the Moms for America Position as this bill provides far overreaching powers to a group of individuals who are not accountable to voters. Additionally, the bill drives up consumer costs by subjecting business to unreasonable demands by labor unions.

Subjecting Restaurants to Unreasonable Labor Union Demands through the Creation of an Unaccountable "Fast Food Council" to Impose Regulations.

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 Moms for America 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".

Beginning in 2024, this bill requires all children to attend kindergarten prior to entering first grade, which was previously optional. Oppose is the Moms for America 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.

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 Moms for America 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.

The "Climate Corporate Accountability Act" establishes mandatory reporting of greenhouse (GHG) emissions for large businesses in California. The bill requires companies to report both their direct and indirect emissions as well as publicize their targets and measures to reduce emissions., Oppose is the Moms for America Position as not only does this bill drive up costs by forcing companies to track their GHG emissions, but such publication may expose certain companies to harassment. Stringent cuts in GHG emissions ultimately drive up consumer costs, and harm the competitiveness of the state's business sector.

Further Driving Up Business Costs by Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Corporations

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 Moms for America 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.