Releases

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...

Governor Kills Sen. Bates' Bill to Ban Deceptive Marketing in Rehab Industry

October 14, 2019
Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Senate Bill 589 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would have prohibited an operator of addiction treatment facilities from providing any form of false advertising or marketing services. His veto message can be read here . Both the Senate and Assembly...

Governor Signs Bipartisan Bill to Evaluate School Lockdown Drills

October 13, 2019
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 541 into law by Senators Patricia Bates (R–Laguna Niguel) and Anthony Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge). As amended, SB 541 will require the California Department of Education to report on the use of existing lockdown drills in K-12 public schools...

Governor Approves Sen. Bates' License Portability Bill

September 30, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed her Senate Bill 679 that would streamline the process for licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs), marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), and clinical social workers (LCSWs) in other states to...

Sen. Bates' Statement on Disruption of Senate Session

September 13, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after an individual threw a substance onto senators from the Senate visitors’ gallery: “The incident on the Senate Floor tonight was a criminal act. There is no justification for violence or harmful acts that endanger the...

Sen. Bates Responds to Passage of Independent Contractor Bill

September 10, 2019
After the California State Senate approved Assembly Bill 5 (Gonzalez) tonight which will significantly limit the ability of Californians to work as independent contractors, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement: “I opposed Assembly Bill 5 because it undermines the...

Governor Signs Sen. Bates' Bill to Require Screening of All Sexually Violent Predators Before Release

September 6, 2019
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law Senate Bill 141 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that will require all inmates convicted of a sexually violent offense to be administered a comprehensive risk assessment before their parole hearing. “Protecting California’s communities is one of...

Senator Bates Calls for Federal and State Assistance to Prevent Coastal Bluff Tragedies

August 27, 2019
In the wake of the tragic bluff collapse in Encinitas earlier this month that took the lives of three people, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she supports the efforts of U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, and U.S. Representative Mike Levin, to request...

Senate Approves Resolution to Name Highway in Honor of Costa Mesa Fire Captain Michael Kreza

August 26, 2019
The California State Senate today unanimously approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 by Senators Patricia Bates (R–Laguna Niguel) and John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) that designates a portion of State Route 55 from 19th Street to MacArthur Boulevard in Orange County as the “Costa Mesa Fire Captain...

Governor to Consider Sen. Bates' Bill to Screen All Sexually Violent Predators Before Release

August 22, 2019
Governor Newsom will soon decide the fate of Senate Bill 141 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would improve the safety of California’s communities by requiring all inmates convicted of a sexually violent offense to be administered a comprehensive risk assessment before their parole...

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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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Senator Patricia Bates Announces Availability of Senate Fellowships

December 9, 2015
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) today announced the availability of applications for the 2016-2017 California Senate Fellows program, ranked as one of the nation’s top 10 internships in 2014 by Vault.com . “Serving as a Senate fellow is a fabulous opportunity to gain first-hand experience...

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

December 4, 2015
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) today announced that she received a 100 percent score from the nonpartisan California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) in its 2015 Manufacturing Vote Record . The association represents 400 businesses from the entire manufacturing community...

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

November 10, 2015
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 Legislative Score Card . “Californians already pay some of...

A Roadmap to Keep California Moving

November 2, 2015
Senator Bates Supports Reforms, Seeks To Dedicate All Transportation Funds To Fix California’s Roads

Senator Patricia Bates Discusses California's Business Climate with North County Restaurant Owners

October 13, 2015
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and the California Restaurant Association held a roundtable discussion this afternoon with local restaurant owners at Encinitas’ Roxy Restaurant and Ice Cream. They discussed numerous concerns raised by owners about the state’s business climate that are...

Governor Brown Rejects Senator Patricia Bates' Bill to Imprison Sex Offenders Who Remove GPS Devices

October 3, 2015
After earning nearly unanimous support in the Legislature, Governor Jerry Brown today vetoed Senate Bill 722 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel). The bill would have cracked down on sex offenders who willfully remove or disable their GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking devices. “I’m...

Governor Signs Bill Co-Authored by Senator Patricia Bates to Modernize Schools Serving Military Families

October 2, 2015
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 111 by Senate Republican Leader Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) into law, a measure that will help secure federal funding for California schools serving military families. Bates is a co-author of this...

Senator Patricia Bates Marks Manufacturing Day With Visit to Oceanside's Federal Heath Sign Company

October 2, 2015
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) highlighted the importance of manufacturing to California’s economy with a visit to Oceanside’s Federal Heath Sign Company during Manufacturing Day (also known as MFG Day). “Manufacturing is critical to California’s economy and it’s important that all...

Senator Patricia Bates and Assemblyman Bill Brough Lead Bipartisan Tour to Save San Clemente Hospital's ER

September 21, 2015
Senator Patricia Bates and Assemblyman Bill Brough today hosted the chairs of the Legislature’s health committees and other officials on a bipartisan tour of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center’s San Clemente campus. The tour was conducted to show the importance of preserving emergency care services for South Orange County residents.

Senator Patricia Bates Co-Authors Measure to Close Loopholes in "No Budget, No Pay" Law

September 17, 2015
Calling for an end to the political tricks that Californians thought they ended when they approved Proposition 25 in 2010, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has co-authored Senator Bob Huff’s (R-San Dimas) Senate Constitutional Amendment 10 (SCA 10), known as The Budget Accountability and...

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