Releases

National Federation of Independent Business Confers "Guardian of Small Business" Award to Sen. Patricia Bates

March 20, 2019
Sen. Bates with John Kabateck, NFIB State Director in California. Photo credit: Nate Haderlie. SACRAMENTO – The National Federation of Independent Business , one of the nation’s leading advocates for small and independent business owners, awarded its “Guardian of Small Business” award to Senator...

Senator Patricia Bates' Statement on Governor's Death Penalty Announcement

March 13, 2019
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Newsom’s announcement that he will suspend California’s death penalty: “I’m disappointed that today’s action undermines the will of California’s voters who spoke clearly in 2016 to...

Senator Patricia Bates Responds to Governor Newsom's Housing Plan Involving Gas Taxes

March 11, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Newsom’s housing plan that would withhold gas tax money for road repairs unless local communities meet certain conditions. “The Governor’s proposal to hold money for road repairs captive unless...

Senator Patricia Bates Honors Carlsbad’s Lisa Rodman as 36th Senate District Woman of the Year

March 4, 2019
Front row from left to right: Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis; Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins; Sen. Patricia Bates; Woman of the Year Honoree Lisa Rodman; Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove; and Sen. Connie Leyva, Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. Photo taken by Lorie Shelley...

Senator Patricia Bates Introduces Bill to Close Campaign Finance Loophole

February 27, 2019
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has introduced Senate Bill 401 , which would close a major loophole that allows elected officials and candidates to avoid contribution limits. SB 401 would subject candidate-controlled ballot measure committees to the same contribution limits...

OC Lawmakers Partner with Law Enforcement for Legislation to Track Fatal Collisions Involving Drugs

February 15, 2019
SACRAMENTO - Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) and Assemblyman William Brough ( R-Dana Point) have introduced Senate Bill 283 and Assembly Bill 551 to require law enforcement to drug test in cases of fatalities occurring within 48 hours of a traffic collision. Current state law only...

Senator Bates' Response to Governor's State of the State

February 12, 2019
SACRAMENTO - Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom's State of the State remarks: "Californians by their nature are optimistic and I appreciate the Governor's upbeat tone about addressing the state's many challenges. I welcome his...

Senator Bates Earns 100% Score as a Champion for Small Businesses Four Years in a Row

February 1, 2019
SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) announced today that she has earned a 100 percent score from the nonpartisan National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) on its 2018 legislative score card . The NFIB advocates for America’s small and independent business owners,...

Drug Trafficking Legislation Aims at Protecting California from the Dangers of Fentanyl

January 24, 2019
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) introduced Senate Bill 161 which would help protect Californians from the dangers of fentanyl and pursue illegal distributors. In December 2018, federal health officials named fentanyl America’s deadliest drug and has officially...

Senator Patricia Bates Reacts to Governor's 2019-20 Budget Plan

January 10, 2019
SACRAMENTO - Today, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) provided the following statement on Governor Newsom's 2019-20 budget proposal: "In Governor Newsom's first budget there is a lot to applaud, including expanded efforts to pay off debt, build the state's reserves, and increase the Earned...

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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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