Kelly Seyarto

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 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 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 requires county and regional transportation agencies to prioritize transportation projects based on adherence to Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) and the state's climate goals. Additionally, the agencies are prohibited from funding any project that is determined to be inconsistent with the most recent SCS or climate goal by the Air Resource Board. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill will result in greater traffic and commute times for Californians by hindering infrastructure expansion while also unnecessarily driving up transportation project costs for taxpayers.

Harming the Transportation Sector by Basing Infrastructure Funding and Prioritization on Advancing Climate Goals.

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 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.

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 Limited Government 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 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 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.

The "California Antihunger Response Act of 2022" creates a new state program in which able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) are provided food stamp benefits despite not complying with the work requirements of CalFresh which are set by the federal government. The cost to create the new system (not accounting for benefit payouts) is estimated to cost $100 million. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill is intended to circumvent the federal work requirements implemented in the mid-1990s to help encourage able-bodied individuals to find employment and regain self-reliance. This bill places an unnecessary cost onto taxpayers while discouraging work-ready adults to become self-sufficient.

Spending $100 Million to Bypass a Critical Federal Welfare Integrity Measure and Provide Food Stamps to Work-Ready Adults who Refuse to Comply with Work Requirements.

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 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.

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 establishes the "Excluded Workers Pilot Program" which provides illegal immigrants with up to 20 weeks of unemployment benefits, at an amount of $300 per week. The bill is estimated to cost state taxpayers $237 million to build out and over $215 million in annual benefit payouts. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as providing individuals who entered the country unlawfully to taxpayer funded welfare benefits merely incentivizes additional illegal immigration. While reforms are needed to the U.S. immigration system to increase the number of skilled individuals who may enter and work in our country, measures such as this undermine reform efforts and plunge taxpayers into further debt.

Forcing Taxpayers to Spend Hundreds of Millions Annually to Provide Unemployment Benefits to Illegal Immigrants.

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 bans the use of carbon dioxide fluid (collected through carbon capture technologies) from being utilized in oil extraction. This fluid serves as a helpful solvent in promoting oil flow. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill serves as yet another unnecessary barrier towards American energy production, ultimately harming the entire U.S. economy through higher energy costs.

Hindering Energy Production through a Prohibition on "Concentrated Carbon Dioxide Fluid" for Oil Extraction.

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 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 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 Limited Government 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 California Air Resource Board (CARB) to adopt much more stringent reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Under the bill, the state's GHG emissions must be reduced at least 55% (previously 40%) below 1990 levels by 2030. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this stringent mandate will have dire consequences on economic and business growth, which will ultimately be felt by consumers nationwide through higher product prices.

Placing Enormous New Costs on Businesses and Consumers by Mandating a 55% (Previously 40%) Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030.

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 Limited Government 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 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 establishes the "Housing California Challenge Program" to provide $5 billion in direct rental assistance over the next 5 years to individuals who are at risk of homelessness. This program is in addition to a number of other state programs, and funding under the bill may be utilized to help individuals locate and obtain housing as well as for long-term rental assistance.  Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill serves as yet another measure which traps individuals into poverty by disincentivizing advancement and growing government dependency. Additionally, the bill's $5 billion in subsidies will merely bid up the market prices of existing rental units, thus worsening the state's housing affordability crisis and likely leading to additional homelessness and government dependency.

Increasing Government Dependency and Housing Market Costs through a New $5 Billion Housing Assistance Spending Program.

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 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 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.

The "Firearm Industry Responsibility Act" prohibits a firearm manufacture from manufacturing or marketing a product that is "abnormally dangerous and likely to create an unreasonable risk of harm to public health and safety in California". Additionally, the bill allows individuals to sue a manufacturer for any actions or failure by their distributors to comply with state law if the individual suffers damages from the misuse of a firearm. 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 is primarily designed to drive firearm manufacturers out of business through an attempt to advance a gun-control agenda.

Attempting to Force Firearm Manufacturers Out of Business by Exposing them to Frivolous and Costly Litigation.

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 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".

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".

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.

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.

Hindering Economic Growth and Infringing Property Rights through Restrictions on New Logistic Center and Warehouse Construction.

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 amends California's Franchise Relations Act to impose new reporting requirements on monetary incentives and rebates that Franchisors may receive from third parties. Additionally, the bill forbids Franchisors from requiring a Franchisee to waive their right to a rebate or other benefit except under certain circumstances. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is not the role of government to intrude into the private contracting of private businesses to provide one party leverage or better contracting terms over another. Such actions violate the principles of free markets and the freedom to contract.

Infringing Franchisor and Franchise Contracting Rights through New Mandates Concerning Rights to Rebates and Monetary Incentives from Third Parties.

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".

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.

This bill prohibits construction of any new oil or gas wells within 3,200 feet of a "sensitive receptor" which includes everything from homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. Additionally, the bill requires existing wells in those areas to comply with additional light, sound and environmental regulations. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill will significantly reduce oil and gas extraction in the state, ultimately harming American energy production and the U.S. economy.

Limiting American Energy Production Through New Draconian Restrictions on Oil and Gas Well Placement.

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 Limited Government 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.

ILA

Kelly Seyarto