Releases

Senator Patricia Bates Announces State Grant for San Juan Capistrano to Create Housing

September 28, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded a $150,000 Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant to the City of San Juan Capistrano to help create more housing supply. “I am pleased to see the City of...

Statement on Deputy-Involved Shooting in San Clemente

September 24, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after a fatal deputy-involved shooting occurred yesterday in San Clemente: “Yesterday was a sad day for our community. As we mourn the life of Kurt Reinhold and express our concern about his death and concern for the deputies...

Statement on Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

September 19, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement upon learning of the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “I'm very saddened to learn of the passing of Justice Ginsburg. While she is best known for her advocacy of justice and equality, her friendships...

Governor Approves Sen. Bates' Measure to Eliminate Filing Fees for Non-Profits

September 10, 2020
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 934 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) into law that will eliminate filing fees for non-profit organizations applying for a state tax exemption. Senator Bates authored SB 934 in partnership with the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). “I thank the...

Senate Rejects Long-Term Fix to Save Local Journalism, Opts for Band-Aid Instead

September 1, 2020
On a partisan vote, the California State Senate on Sunday rejected an amendment from Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) to Assembly Bill 323 (Rubio) that would have significantly helped community newspapers keep their doors open for the long-term. Instead, the Senate passed AB 323 that will...

Personal Update on COVID-19 and Legislative Work

August 28, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today: “I am currently self-isolating in Sacramento after a Senate colleague tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. I took a test for the virus and learned today that I have tested negative. “Due to public health...

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...

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Senator Patricia Bates Responds to Report of Inaccurate Party Registrations of California Voters

December 12, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today after the Sacramento Bee reported that “ At least 600 Californians, including lifelong Republicans and Democrats, have had their voter registration unexpectedly changed, and several county elections officials are pinning...

Sen. Patricia Bates Urges College Seniors to Apply for Senate Fellowships

December 3, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) is encouraging college seniors and graduates to consider applying for the 2020-21 California Senate Fellows program. Former fellows include current members of Congress and the California Legislature, judges, and local elected officials. “If you have a desire...

Senators Patricia Bates and John Moorlach Seek Federal Help to Improve Oversight of Addiction Treatment Industry

November 25, 2019
SACRAMENTO – Senators Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) have sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson asking for their assistance to improve oversight of the addiction treatment industry. Their...

Sen. Patricia Bates Earns Top Mark for Defending Taxpayers from Higher Taxes

November 19, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) today announced that she has received a perfect 100 percent score (“A” grade) from the nonpartisan Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) in its 2019 Legislative Report Card . HJTA is one of the state’s top watchdogs on tax and public finance issues. “I...

Senator Patricia Bates Announces More Funding to Address Homelessness

November 18, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded more than $1 million in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) to Orange and San Diego counties to reduce homelessness. These grants are in addition to the $2.5...

Sen. Patricia Bates Announces State Funding to Help Carlsbad Create More Housing

November 18, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded $310,000 to the City of Carlsbad to help create more housing supply. “I am pleased that the California Department of Housing and Community Development has...

Senator Patricia Bates Earns Perfect CalChamber Score for Efforts to Protect Jobs and Opportunity

November 4, 2019
The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) has awarded Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) a perfect score (18-0) in its 2019 Vote Record . She is one of only nine state senators to have received a perfect score. “CalChamber’s vote record provides Californians a measuring stick to judge...

ALERT: Strong Winds Could Lead to Power Shutoffs for Some

October 30, 2019
Projected strong winds this week increase the risk for more wildfires. Electrical utilities plan on implementing “public safety power shutoffs” to some communities deemed to be at risk. Here are additional web links and phone numbers you may find useful for your area...

Sen. Patricia Bates Advocates for Reforms in Addiction Treatment Industry during Oversight Hearing

October 30, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), a former social worker who served in communities affected by drug abuse and who has authored and co-authored several bills to end abuses in the addiction treatment industry over the past five years, participated in a bipartisan oversight hearing in Costa...

Senator Patricia Bates Announces Additional State Funding to Address Homelessness

October 16, 2019
To help address homelessness, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded $2.5 million to Orange and San Diego counties to fund various programs. “Homelessness is a growing problem in many communities...

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Senator Bates Introduces Legislation to Fix Motor Voter Law

December 17, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) introduced Senate Bill 57, which would allow individuals to opt-in for voter registration instead of automatically being registered to vote or having to opt-out of the program. By returning the process to an opt-in, the transfer of...

Another Top Legislative Grade for Senator Bates from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

December 12, 2018
SACRAMENTO - Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) has once again earned the title of "Taxpayer's Ally" from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA). Out of 40 California State Senators, Senator Bates is one out of only nine who has earned an "A" grade on the HJTA Legislative Report...

Senator Patricia Bates Begins Second Term, Reaffirms Commitment to Champion Taxpayers

December 3, 2018
Senator Patricia Bates (third from left) and other re-elected and newly elected senators take the oath of office administered by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Tani Cantil-Sakauye. Click here to view video of the oath. For high resolution photos of the ceremony, please contact...

Senator Bates' Statement on Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush

December 1, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) released the following statement on the passing of former President George H.W. Bush: “My thoughts and prayers are with the Bush family as they mourn the loss of President George H.W. Bush, whose extraordinary life inspired many in his family to...

Statement by Senator Patricia Bates on Passing of Aubry Stone

November 28, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today on the passing of Aubry Stone, the President and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce: “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Aubry Stone, whose work as President and CEO of the California Black...

Senator Bates Earns Perfect Score from the California District Attorneys Association for 2018 Legislative Session

November 26, 2018
SACRAMENTO – The California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) released its 2018 Legislative Scorecard and awarded Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) a “100% score” for her voting record on legislation affecting public safety. With 40 state senators in the California State Legislature,...

$15 Billion Surplus Projected for California's 2019-20 Budget

November 15, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Today, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released its fiscal forecast for the 2019-20 budget year which predicts that California will have a significant surplus of $15 billion by June 30, 2020. Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) and Vice Chair...

Senator Bates Earns "2018 Champion of Manufacturing" Honor

October 31, 2018
SACRAMENTO – For the second year in a row, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has earned the title of being a “Champion of Manufacturing” from the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) in its 2018 Manufacturing Vote Record. Senator Bates earned this honor for her work...

Senator Bates Partners with Mattress Recycling Council to Protect the Environment

October 29, 2018
Photo courtesy of Mattress Recycling Council: Workers loaded a discarded mattress on to a truck where parts of the mattress are recycled. Click here for high resolution photo . SACRAMENTO – As part of her efforts to protect the environment and to help residents properly dispose of their old...

Senator Bates Encourages Residents to Properly Dispose Unneeded Medications

October 26, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) encourages residents to properly discard their unneeded prescription medications by participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day , which takes place this Saturday, October 27th. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) sponsors...

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Senate Republican Leader Bates Urges Bicameral, Bipartisan Review of Capitol Sexual Harassment

December 13, 2017
On behalf of members of the California State Senate Republican Caucus, Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) recently sent a letter to California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) calling...

Lilac Fire Recovery Resources

December 11, 2017
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) shared the following update for affected constituents of the Lilac Fire in North San Diego County: According to CAL FIRE, the #LilacFire is now 80 percent contained as of this morning and is holding steady at 4,100 acres. The Governor quickly...

Lilac Fire Resources

December 8, 2017
Dear Neighbors, The safety of you and everyone in our region is my top concern as the Lilac Fire and others rage throughout California. If you or someone else is in a life threatening emergency, call 911. If you need to talk to someone about evacuations, shelters, road closures and other disaster-...

Statement by Senate GOP Leader Patricia Bates on Senate Leadership Transition

December 7, 2017
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates, of Laguna Niguel, released the following statement after Senate Democrats chose Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) to serve as their next leader, and thus the next Senate President pro Tempore: “For someone who has achieved historic milestones...

Senate GOP Leader Bates Earns Top Scores from Statewide Public Safety Associations

December 4, 2017
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) earned top marks from two statewide law enforcement associations for her leadership to help keep all Californians safe. She earned a “100 percent” rating from the California Police Chiefs Association and a “94 percent” rating...

CA Manufacturers & Technology Association Recognizes Senate GOP Leader Patricia Bates as "Champion of Manufacturing"

November 15, 2017
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) has recognized her as a "Champion of Manufacturing" in its 2017 Manufacturing Vote Record . The association represents 400 businesses from the...

Standing Up for Jobs: CalChamber Recognizes Senate GOP Leader Patricia Bates with Perfect Score

November 6, 2017
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) today announced that she compiled a perfect score (16–0) from the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) in its 2017 Vote Record . CalChamber is a non-profit organization representing more than 14,000 companies of all...

Senate Republican Leader Bates' Statement on Gas & Car Tax Increase

November 1, 2017
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement on the gas and car tax increase that takes effect today. Earlier this year, the liberal supermajority approved Senate Bill 1 , a $5.2 billion annual tax increase with no sunset date. To top it off...

Senate GOP Leader Patricia Bates Earns Perfect Score from Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association for Defending Taxpayers

October 31, 2017
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (Laguna Niguel) today announced that she received a perfect 100 percent score (“A” grade) from the nonpartisan Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) in its 2017 Legislative Report Card . HJTA is one of the state’s top watchdogs on tax and...

Senate Republican Leader Bates' Statement on Opioid Crisis

October 26, 2017
Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) released the following statement after the president announced today that he is directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency: "The federal government's declaration of the...

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Senator Patricia Bates' Statement on Veterans Being Forced to Repay Enlistment Bonuses

October 24, 2016
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) released the following statement today regarding a Los Angeles Times article that reported that thousands of California soldiers are being forced to repay enlistment bonuses years after going to war. “It is outrageous that thousands of men and women who have...

Senator Patricia Bates Compiles Perfect CalChamber Vote Record

October 24, 2016
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) today announced that she compiled a perfect score from the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) in its 2016 Vote Record . CalChamber is a non-profit organization representing more than 14,000 companies of all sizes. “As a small business owner, I know...

Senator Patricia Bates Earns "A" Grade from Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association for Defending Taxpayers

October 18, 2016
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) today announced that she received an “A” grade from the nonpartisan Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA), one of the state’s top watchdogs on tax and public finance issues, in its 2016 Legislative Report Card . HJTA tracked nearly two dozen bills this...

Senator Patricia Bates Earns Perfect Score from California Manufacturers & Technology Association

October 14, 2016
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has received a 100 percent score from the nonpartisan California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) in its 2016 Manufacturing Vote Record . The association represents 400 businesses from the entire manufacturing...

Senator Patricia Bates Earns 100% Score from the California Taxpayers Association

October 14, 2016
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) today announced that she received a 100 percent score from the nonpartisan California Taxpayers Association (CalTax), the state's largest and oldest organization representing taxpayers, in its 2015-16 Voting Record . “It's humbling to be recognized by a...

Senator Patricia Bates Earns 100% Score From National Federation of Independent Business

October 3, 2016
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has earned a 100 percent score from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) on its 2016 legislative score card. The NFIB is one of the nation’s leading advocates for small business owners.

Governor Signs Bill to Expand Tax Exemption for Veterans with "100 Percent" Disabilities

September 30, 2016
Governor Jerry Brown has signed Senate Bill 1458 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that will expand eligibility for the state’s property tax exemption to military veterans who previously did not qualify. The State Senate and Assembly unanimously approved the bill last month.

Governor Signs Bill Co-Authored by Senator Patricia Bates to Protect First Responders from Drones

September 29, 2016
Governor Jerry Brown today signed bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) and co-authored by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) and others that will protect first responders if they damage a drone during the delivery of emergency services.

Statement on Governor's Approval of Bill Allowing Imprisoned Felons to Vote

September 28, 2016
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today after Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 2466 , which will allow convicted felons serving their sentences in county jail to vote while behind bars. “It is very disappointing that felons still serving their...

Governor Signs DUI Ignition Interlock Bill Co-Authored by Senator Patricia Bates

September 28, 2016
Governor Jerry Brown today signed bipartisan legislation written by Democratic Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties) and co-authored by Republican Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and others that will expand California’s pilot program for ignition interlock devices...

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