Releases

Senator Bates' Statement on the May Revise

May 17, 2022
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement on Governor Newsom’s $300.7 billion budget priorities: “The Governor projects a $47 billion operating budget surplus even though the Legislative Analyst’s Office projects it to be $65 billion. Regardless, this is a lot of money...

Orange County Awarded $2.8 Million in Housing Funds

May 6, 2022
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (CDHCD) awarded Orange County $2,852,071 in funds from the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program. The PLHA program provides financial assistance made available through the passage of SB 2 (Chapter 364, Statues of 2017) and...

Orange and San Diego Counties Awarded $1.1 Million in Grant Funding

April 28, 2022
The California Department of Housing and Community Development awarded the Counties of Orange and San Diego $1,158,277 from the 2021 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program which provides funds for a variety of activities to address homelessness as authorized under the federal Homeless Emergency...

Senator Bates Commends Camp Pendleton for Receiving Keep California Beautiful, 2021 Recycling Hero Award

April 21, 2022
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement commending Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for receiving the 2021 Recycling Hero Award from Keep California Beautiful. “As the state representative for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, it gives me great pleasure to recognize...

Senator Bates Joins Legislative Republicans in Unveiling ACT on Homelessness Package

March 16, 2022
Senator Patricia C. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) joined Legislative Republicans in unveiling their ACT on Homelessness package which focuses on Accountability, Compassion, and Treatment (ACT). Senator Bates issued the following statement: "We have been wrestling with this problem for years, and it...

Senator Bates Responds to Governor Newsom’s State of the State Address

March 8, 2022
Senator Patricia C. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following response to Governor Newsom’s State of the State address: “Governor Newsom spoke of the ‘California Way’ as a roadmap to address some of our state’s most difficult challenges; however, it is difficult to see how the ‘California Way’...

Senator Bates’ Statement on Governor Newsom’s CARE Court Program

March 3, 2022
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement on Governor Newsom’s Care Court program. “I applaud Governor Newsom’s announced plan to get California’s most vulnerable population the treatment they desperately need. While my colleagues and I agree that treatment programs...

Sen. Bates Introduces SB 925, Expanding Application of Drug Testing

February 23, 2022
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) introduced SB 925 which will require law enforcement to test for drug use after a fatal collision. The bill also extends the required testing period from 24 to 48 hours after the incident has occurred, providing law enforcement with additional information...

Sen. Bates Introduces SB 1025, Giving Tax Credits to Organizations Sponsoring Blood Drives

February 16, 2022
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) introduced SB 1025 which grants tax credits to companies and organizations that sponsor blood drives. During a time when the nation is experiencing a blood shortage, SB 1025 intends to boost blood donations by encouraging the hosting of blood drives. Senator...

Sen. Bates and Asm. Davies Introduce Controlled Substance Education Measures

February 3, 2022
Senator Patricia C. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) joined together in a coordinated effort to introduce identical measures to aid local communities in their struggle against controlled substances. SB 904 and AB 1750 will clarify and broaden the definition...

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Statement on CalChamber’s Appointment of Jennifer Barrera as Next President and CEO

September 3, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), a former small business owner, issued the following statement after the California Chamber of Commerce announced today the appointment of Jennifer Barrera as the organization’s next President and CEO: “I am pleased that CalChamber has selected an...

Sen. Patricia Bates Honors Oceanside’s “The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza” as Small Business of the Year

August 19, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has honored The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza (Privateer) as the 2021 Small Business of the Year for the 36th Senate District. Senator Bates recognized owners Charlie Anderson (father) and Sage Anderson (son) during yesterday’s California Small Business Day...

Bill to Solidify Use of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles Becomes Law

July 19, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced that the Governor has signed her Senate Bill 214 to permanently grant the County of Orange the authority to establish a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) transportation plan in Rancho Mission Viejo. “The signing of SB 214 will further encourage...

Assembly Approves Bill to Name Highway after Firefighting Legend Bill Clayton

July 8, 2021
The California State Assembly today unanimously approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 12 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) to designate a portion of Interstate 5 in Carlsbad as the “CAL FIRE Chief William R. Clayton Memorial Highway.” With the Senate previously approving SCR 12, it will...

Statement on Budget Vote: Spending Spree Today, Hard Decisions Tomorrow

June 28, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after the Senate tonight approved a “nearly final” budget agreement between Governor Newsom and legislative Democrats: “The Governor and legislative Democrats have wasted a golden opportunity to ensure California can pay for...

Senator Patricia Bates Champions Gas Tax Relief for Californians

June 24, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has co-signed a letter to Governor Newsom and legislative leaders requesting they enact a “Gas Tax Holiday,” which would provide tax relief to Californians as gas prices continue to rise. A holiday would be a full moratorium on California’s gas excise tax...

Senator Patricia Bates Honors Family Assistance Ministries as Nonprofit of the Year

June 24, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has chosen Orange County’s Family Assistance Ministries as the 2021 Nonprofit of the Year for the 36th Senate District. This recognition was part of a larger virtual celebration of CalNonprofits ’ “California Nonprofits Day” held yesterday. “Family...

Statement on Budget Vote: California Can Do Better

June 14, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after the Senate today approved a 2021-22 budget proposal agreed to by Assembly and Senate Democrats: “Everyone knows the real purpose of today’s vote – it is to ensure the Legislature continues to get paid after June 15. Only...

Senate Approves “Brandon’s Law” to Ban Deceptive Marketing in Rehab Industry

May 17, 2021
The California State Senate today unanimously approved “Brandon’s Law” ( Senate Bill 434 ) by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) to prohibit an operator of rehabilitation treatment facilities from providing any form of false advertising or marketing services. SB 434 will head next to the...

Statement on Governor’s Revised Budget Plan

May 14, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after Governor Gavin Newsom released his revised 2021-22 budget proposal : “I support investments to help the state address threats such as drought, wildfires, and massive unfunded liabilities. It is also encouraging that the...

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Senator Patricia Bates Announces State Housing Planning Grant for Aliso Viejo

October 7, 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 Aliso Viejo to help create more housing supply. “I congratulate the City of Aliso Viejo on...

Statement on Governor's Climate Change Decree

October 7, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), the Vice Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, issued the following statement after Governor Gavin Newsom issued a sweeping executive order today concerning climate change: “Policies to successfully address climate change require informed...

State Controller, Finance Director & Budget Chair Must Stop Taxpayer Funded Campaign Outreach Contract

September 30, 2020
Without legal authority and bypassing the state’s open bid contracting procedures, the California Secretary of State entered a $35 million agreement with a partisan public relations firm to conduct “voter outreach.” These state funds were intended to help with the administration of local county...

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

September 29, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) thanked the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for awarding more than $4.5 million in COVID-19 homeless aid to the Counties of Orange and San Diego. The money will help fund homeless prevention, emergency shelters, street...

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...

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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...

Senator Bates Condemns Attack on Senator Richard Pan

August 21, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), a member of the Senate Rules Committee and former Senate Republican Leader, issued the following statement upon learning that Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) was physically attacked today near the State Capitol. “I condemn the assault on Senator Pan as...

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Advocating for all Californians, Senator Bates Earns Perfect Score from California Chamber of Commerce

October 22, 2018
SACRAMENTO – The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) recently awarded Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) with a perfect score (14-0) in its 2018 Vote Record . Out of the 40 California State Senators that represent nearly one million constituents per district, Senator Bates is one of...

Senator Bates' Driver Safety Classes with CHP Draw Close to 500 Attendees

October 4, 2018
Photo courtesy: Office of Senator Patricia Bates Attendees listened intently as Senator Bates welcomed them to the “Age Well, Drive Smart” class at the Laguna Hills Community Center. SACRAMENTO – Nearly 500 senior citizens from South Orange County packed two different venues earlier this week to...

No More Hiding in the Shadows for Granny Flats

October 1, 2018
SACRAMENTO - Senate Bill 1226 , authored by Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ), was recently signed into law and will assist property owners who have existing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or “granny flats.” SB 1226 will make changes to laws governing residential properties and direct the...

Senator Bates Issues Statement on DMV Audit

September 24, 2018
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement on the ordering of a performance audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles: "Long wait lines and poor customer service have angered Californians and caused them to lose confidence in the DMV. While the previously proposed audit...

Legislation to Increase Opioid Preventative Education Becomes Law

September 24, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 1109 , authored by Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ), was recently signed into law. SB 1109 will promote opioid preventative education and educate the public, especially young people and student athletes, by explaining the risk of addiction and overdose from...

Measure to Promote Neighborhood Electric Vehicles in San Diego County Becomes Law

September 19, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate Bill 1151 was signed into law, which may provide residents in San Diego County with increased mobility choices to move around their communities in neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV). SB 1151, authored by Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ), will authorize San...

Three Key Bills from Senator Bates Await Governor Brown's Consideration

September 1, 2018
SACRAMENTO – As the 2018 Legislative Session wrapped up on August 31 st , three key bills introduced by Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Nigue l) will soon head to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for his consideration: Senate Bills 1109, 1151, and 1226. These bills have received bipartisan support in...

2018-19 Legislative Session Filled with Bad Policies and Missed Opportunities, Californians Deserve Better

September 1, 2018
SACRAMENTO – The amount of damage to Californians’ pocketbooks, the ability to live affordably in the state and the need to keep communities safe, all these important issues and more rest on the over 1,000 bills that were sent to Governor Jerry Brown when the legislative session came to a close on...

Bill to Help Human Trafficking Victims Heads to Governor

September 1, 2018
SACRAMENTO - The Senate unanimously approved bipartisan measure co-authored by Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) that would help human trafficking victims get back on their feet. Specifically, Assembly Bill 900 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher ( D-San Diego ) would: Make it...

Senator Bates Pushes Legislation to Strengthen Law for Patients of Residential Treatment Facilities

August 30, 2018
SACRAMENTO – As co-author and Senate floor manager of Assembly Bill 3162, Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) presented the bill on the Senate Floor. AB 3162 would clarify and help the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) more effectively administer and manage the issuance of licenses...

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