Releases

Statement on Senate Confirmation of CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray

May 10, 2021
The California State Senate today voted to confirm Amanda Ray as the 16th Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the first woman and second African American to lead the department of more than 11,000 members. Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), the vice chair of the Senate Rules...

Committee Holds Bill to Delay Prop. 19, But Pledges to Work on a Solution

May 7, 2021
The Senate Governance and Finance Committee did not take action on Senate Bill 668 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) yesterday that would delay the implementation date of a provision of Proposition 19 (2020) to February 16, 2023. The committee’s chair, Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg...

Senate Committee Rejects Prop. 13 Reform and $348 Million for Essential Services

May 6, 2021
The Senate Governance and Finance Committee today rejected Senate Bill 706 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) on a partisan vote that would have corrected an outdated interpretation of property “change of ownership” that has been part of the long running debate around commercial property...

Sen. Patricia Bates to Pursue Fentanyl Drug Trafficking Bill in 2022

April 27, 2021
With the support of Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she will continue discussions with the Senate Public Safety Committee and pursue her fentanyl legislation, Senate Bill 75 , in 2022 instead of this year. The bill would add fentanyl,...

Senator Patricia Bates Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Small Business Tax Relief

April 19, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after the California State Senate approved Assembly Bill 80 today that will provide state tax deductibility for 100 percent of allowable business expenses paid using Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Emergency Injury...

Senator Patricia Bates Honors Oceanside's Vallie Gilley as 36th Senate District Woman of the Year

March 15, 2021
“Vallie Gilley’s efforts to serve her community during these challenging times make her a worthy honoree,” said Senator Bates. “Through her work as a chef, entrepreneur, and non-profit leader, Vallie has uplifted Oceanside by helping to address hunger and improve the environment. I am proud to highlight her inspiring work in the California Legislature.”

Statement on Governor's "State of the State" Speech

March 9, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his “State of the State” speech: “The speech appropriately recognized those who have lost their lives and the hard work of our health care professionals and frontline workers during the...

Senator Patricia Bates Announces COVID Funding to Help the Homeless in Orange and San Diego Counties

March 8, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) thanked the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for awarding more than $20 million to Orange and San Diego Counties to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 cases among individuals who are homeless. “I appreciate the...

Senator Patricia Bates Announces More Housing Grants for San Diego and Orange Counties

March 5, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) thanked the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its recent announcements of providing more grants to San Diego and Orange Counties to increase affordable housing. “Ensuring local governments in my district receive their share...

Sen. Patricia Bates Seeks to Delay Part of Prop. 19 to Help Families

March 2, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has introduced Senate Bill 668 in partnership with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association to delay the implementation date of a provision of Proposition 19 (2020) from February 16, 2021, to February 16, 2023. The delay would apply...

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Sen. Bates' Measure to Eliminate Filing Fees for Non-Profits Heads to Governor's Desk

August 25, 2020
The California State Assembly today approved Senate Bill 934 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) on a 75 to 0 vote that would eliminate filing fees for non-profit organizations applying for a state tax exemption. It will go to Governor Newsom for his consideration. Senator Bates authored SB...

ALERT: Heat Wave Could Lead to More Power Outages

August 17, 2020
Dear Neighbor, The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has issued a statewide “Flex Alert,” a call for voluntary electricity conservation, that began on Sunday and extending through Wednesday. The Flex Alerts are in effect from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day. Consumers should be prepared for...

Senator Patricia Bates Announces State Grants for South OC Cities to Create Housing

August 10, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grants to the cities of San Clemente ($300,000) and Rancho Santa Margarita ($150,000) to help create more housing supply. “...

Sen. Patricia Bates Applauds Expansion of California's Drug Take-Back Program

August 4, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) applauded the recent announcement that California’s program to help residents safely dispose of their unwanted medicines has been expanded throughout the state. Thanks to a $3 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services, an...

Sen. Patricia Bates Announces State Funding to Help Low Income Californians with Homeownership

July 30, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded $6 million to organizations in Orange and San Diego counties to help Californians with low incomes become or remain homeowners. “The economic disaster...

Sen. Patricia Bates Announces More State Funding to Help House Young Adults

July 29, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded funding to Orange and San Diego counties to help house young adults who are at-risk of becoming homeless. “I appreciate the efforts of the California...

Legislation to Protect San Clemente from Toll Road Extension Will Not Advance in 2020

July 17, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that the California State Assembly’s Transportation Committee will not consider her Senate Bill 1373 that would have protected open space and ensured that no toll road extension will go through the City of San Clemente. The committee advised...

Senator Patricia Bates Applauds Allocation of COVID-19 Aid to Local Governments

July 17, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that the California Department of Finance officially notified the Legislature yesterday on how it will allocate almost $1.8 billion from California’s share of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to cities and counties. The money will help fund...

Senator Patricia Bates Honors Mission Viejo’s "Smart Cups" as Small Business of the Year

July 8, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that “ Smart Cups ” in Mission Viejo is her 2020 Small Business of the Year for the 36th Senate District. “Smart Cups embodies the qualities of innovation and hard work that define California’s small businesses, especially during these...

Senate Approves Legislation to Protect San Clemente from Toll Road Extension

June 26, 2020
The California State Senate today approved Senate Bill 1373 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would enshrine into law that no toll road extension will go through the City of San Clemente. “I thank Senate Democrats and Republicans for approving my bill to keep San Clemente and other...

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Bipartisan Resolution Urges Feds to Act on California's Nuclear Waste

August 13, 2019
California State Senators Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and Bill Monning (D-Carmel) have introduced Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 11 this week that urges Congress and the President to approve legislation that would prioritize the removal of spent nuclear fuel from decommissioned nuclear sites in...

Senator Patricia Bates Responds to Audit Finding DMV Double Voter Registrations and Other Irregularities

August 9, 2019
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today after news media reported the release of an audit finding that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) produced almost 84,000 duplicate voter registrations and an even higher number of erroneous...

Senator Patricia Bates’ Statement on Passing of Orange County Auditor-Controller Eric Woolery

August 8, 2019
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today after learning of the passing of Orange County Auditor-Controller Eric Woolery : "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, Eric Woolery. As Auditor-Controller, Eric was a steadfast...

Senator Patricia Bates Responds to DMV Leadership Overhaul

July 23, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today after Governor Gavin Newsom announced new leadership at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the release of the “DMV Strike Team” report . “The Governor’s actions today are steps in the right direction to...

Assembly Committee Approves Sen. Bates' Effort to Protect Emergency Preparedness at San Onofre Nuclear Plant

July 11, 2019
The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee has approved Senate Bill 465 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would ensure local governments continue to receive funding for offsite emergency response planning, training, and exercises related to the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear...

Assembly Committee Approves Sen. Bates' License Portability Bill

July 9, 2019
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee today approved Senate Bill 679 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would streamline the process for licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs), marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), and clinical social workers (LCSWs) in other...

Assembly Education Committee Approves Bipartisan School Lockdown Drill Bill

June 19, 2019
The Assembly Education Committee today approved Senate Bill 541 by Senators Patricia Bates (R–Laguna Niguel) and Anthony Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge) that would require all kindergarten through 12th grade public and private schools, with an occupant capacity of 50 or more students, to...

Senator Patricia Bates Honors Oceanside's PJ Graphics as Small Business of the Year

June 19, 2019
Senator Bates presents a resolution honoring PJ Graphics as Small Business of the Year to owners Tom Hartley (2nd from left), Helen Hartley (right) and daughter Debbie Hartley (left) inside the Senate Chamber at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) today honored...

Assembly Health Committee Approves Sen. Bates' Bill to Ban Deceptive Marketing in Rehab Industry

June 18, 2019
The Assembly Health Committee today approved Senate Bill 589 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would prohibit an operator of addiction treatment facilities from providing any form of false advertising or marketing services. The next stop for the bill is the Assembly Appropriations...

Statement on Passage of 2019-20 State Budget

June 13, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after legislative Democrats approved the 2019-20 state budget ( Assembly Bill 74 ): “Despite a budget surplus of $22 billion, the record $215 billion budget framework that the Legislature approved today is contingent on more...

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Legislature Approves Fallen Firefighter Memorial Resolution

August 29, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senate Concurrent Resolution 159 (SCR) recently passed out of the California State Assembly and is a memorial resolution to commemorate fallen Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa. Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) is a joint author of SCR 159 with Senator Ricardo Lara ( D-Bell...

Senator Patricia Bates' Statement on Passing of Senator John McCain

August 25, 2018
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) released the following statement today on the passing of United States Senator John McCain (R-Arizona): "America has lost a patriot and public servant in Senator McCain. He served our country with honor on the battlefields of Vietnam and in the arena of...

Assembly Blocks Sen. Patricia Bates' School Safety Bill

August 21, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) issued the following statement after the Assembly Appropriations Committee refused to approve her Senate Bill 1203 that requires most K-12 schools to have policies on hand for conducting lockdown drills. The Senate approved SB 1203 on a...

Senators Patricia Bates and Jim Nielsen Issue Statement on Potential Wildfire Legislation

August 14, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senators Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) released a joint statement on potential wildfire legislation: “We believe it is in the best interest of the public for the Legislature to defer discussion of inverse condemnation to a later time. The...

Senator Patricia Bates Responds to Rejection of DMV Audit

August 8, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) issued the following statement after a request to audit the California Department of Motor Vehicles failed to pass today during a hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee: “Fixing the DMV is not a partisan issue, but a California issue...

Sen. Patricia Bates' Bill Will Give Californians Relief from Long DMV Lines

August 3, 2018
SACRAMENTO – In an effort to provide some relief to Californians who have to wait for hours at their local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to conduct routine business, Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) will propose urgency legislation that will give an additional 90 days on all...

Senate Republican Leader Bates Responds to California Water Commission's Announcement to Fund Water Storage

July 25, 2018
Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after the California Water Commission announced its approval to allocate $2.7 billion to build a variety of water storage projects using funds from Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure...

Statement by Senator Patricia Bates on Passage of Consumer Privacy Bill

June 28, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today after the Senate approved Assembly Bill 375 (Chau and Hertzberg) that will provide more power for Californians to hold companies accountable for the potential abuse of their data: “I am pleased to help pass a...

Senator Bates' Legislation for Neighborhood Electric Vehicles combines Innovation with Convenience

June 26, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 1151 , authored by Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ), passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee on a unanimous vote yesterday. SB 1151 would authorize San Diego County or any city in the County to establish a Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV)...

Senator Bates' Legislation Would Bring 'Granny Flats' Out of the Shadows

June 20, 2018
SACRAMENTO - Today, Senate Bill 1226 , authored by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), passed out of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on a unanimous vote. SB 1226 would make changes to laws governing residential properties and direct the California Building Standards...

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