Releases

Senator Patricia Bates Reintroduces Measure to Strengthen Prop. 13 and End Abuses

March 1, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has reintroduced legislation to correct an outdated interpretation of property “change of ownership” that has been part of the long running debate around commercial property and Proposition 13 (the 1978 initiative that limited...

Democrats Abuse Power: Committee Approves Retroactive Changes to State Law to Pay "Team Biden" Firm

February 18, 2021
Today, Democrats on the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee approved Governor Newsom’s proposal to change state law retroactively to hand over $35 million to the partisan political firm SKDK, who simultaneously campaigned to elect President Biden last year and conducted “voter outreach.”...

Senator Patricia Bates Reintroduces "Brandon's Law" to Ban Deceptive Marketing in Rehab Industry

February 17, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has reintroduced “Brandon’s Law” ( Senate Bill 434 ) to prohibit an operator of rehabilitation treatment facilities from providing any form of false advertising or marketing services. The new bipartisan bill is identical to last year...

Sen. Patricia Bates Introduces Measure to Name Highway after Firefighting Legend Bill Clayton

February 12, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 12 to designate a portion of State Route 15 near the community of Rainbow in San Diego County as the “CAL FIRE Chief William R. Clayton Memorial Highway.” Chief Clayton, who passed away in...

Senator Patricia Bates Applauds $4.2 Million State Housing Grant for Orange County

February 11, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) thanked the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) today for awarding a $4.2 million Local Housing Trust Fund grant to the Orange County Housing Finance Trust (OCHFT) to create new affordable housing units. “I thank the Department...

Sen. Bates and San Diego District Attorney Renew Effort to Keep Sex Offender Court Hearings Open to the Public

January 26, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has reintroduced legislation in partnership with San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan to extend the presumption of openness that exists in California courtrooms to proceedings under the Sexually Violent Predator Act...

Sen. Bates Authors Bill to Solidify Use of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

January 21, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has introduced 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. “We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Orange County with the increased...

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

January 21, 2021
I share the frustration regarding the slow rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, as we are not seeing the results we all want to see. Public health officials are asking for everyone’s patience as they work to meet the high demand for the vaccine. For the latest vaccine information from the State of...

Statement on Governor's Budget Plan

January 8, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement today regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2021-22 budget proposal : “I welcome the Governor’s budget efforts to strengthen public health, speed up vaccine distribution, and reopen our schools, which cannot come soon enough for...

Statement on Passing of Former OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens

January 4, 2021
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) released the following statement after learning of the passing today of former Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens: “With deep sadness I learned of the passing of my friend, Sheriff Hutchens, who was an incredible public servant of the highest ethical...

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Statement on Senate Passage of Bill to Allow Legal Discrimination

June 24, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after the Senate approved Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 (Weber): “I cannot in good conscience support a measure that would enshrine into law the soft bigotry of low expectations. ACA 5 would be a step back from achieving...

Senate Approves Measure to Eliminate Filing Fees for Non-Profits

June 24, 2020
The California State Senate today approved Senate Bill 934 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would 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). “SB 934 will help...

State Funding to Provide More Housing to Veterans in San Diego and Orange Counties

June 22, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that the State of California has awarded almost $20 million to help house military veterans in San Diego and Orange counties who are or at risk of becoming homeless. “Our military veterans have made significant sacrifices to serve our country...

Sen. Patricia Bates Announces State Grants to Improve Public Safety

June 18, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has awarded state funding to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Oceanside Police Department to reduce alcohol-related crime in their jurisdictions. Both public safety...

Statement on California Budget Vote

June 15, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after the Senate today approved a 2020-21 budget proposal agreed to by Assembly and Senate Democrats: “Today’s budget vote was a sham. It is window dressing at best because it is a budget that can be dramatically amended in the...

Sen. Patricia Bates Announces State Funding Grants to Help House At-Risk Youth

June 9, 2020
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced 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 thank the California Department of Housing and...

Agreement Approved to Protect Emergency Preparedness at San Onofre Nuclear Plant

June 4, 2020
Legislation introduced by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) last year to protect emergency preparedness at the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) has helped ratify an agreement this week among stakeholders. The ratified agreement means that Senator Bates’ bill is no...

With California Desperate for Cash, State Senate Rejects $269 Million for Essential Services

June 3, 2020
The Senate Finance and Governance Committee today rejected Senate Bill 1319 on a party-line vote by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would have corrected an outdated interpretation of property “change of ownership” that has been part of the long running debate around commercial...

Senate Committee Approves Legislation to Protect San Clemente from Toll Road Extension

May 29, 2020
The Senate Transportation Committee 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. “Today’s outcome is a major step towards ensuring that a potential toll road extension...

Effort to Stabilize Coastal Bluffs and Preserve Beach Access Gains Bipartisan Momentum

May 26, 2020
The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee today heard Senate Bill 1090 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would help prevent further tragedies on public beaches such as the Encinitas bluff collapse that killed three people in August 2019. The committee did not vote on the bill...

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Assembly Committees Advance Two Bills Authored By Sen. Bates

June 11, 2019
Assembly policy committees today approved two bills authored by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) on bipartisan votes and will head next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for its consideration. The bills are: SB 141 – Approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee, the bill requires...

Senator Patricia Bates Honors South County Outreach as Nonprofit of the Year

June 5, 2019
From left to right: Renee Stevenson, South County Outreach's (SCO) Director of Operations; Lara Fisher, SCO President and CEO; Senator Bates; Brandon Stillman, SCO Board Treasurer; and Kerry Franich, SCO Board Chair. A high-resolution photo is available upon request. Photo Credit: Lorie Shelley, CA...

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

May 24, 2019
The California State Senate 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 Generating Station (SONGS...

Senate Approves Bipartisan Bill to Improve School Safety

May 23, 2019
The California State Senate 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 enrollment of 50 or more students, to conduct one...

Senate Endorses Sen. Bates' Effort to Ban Deceptive Marketing in Rehab Industry

May 23, 2019
The California State Senate today unanimously 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. “I’m pleased that my Senate colleagues approved my...

Senate Approves Sen. Bates' Bill to Require All Insurance Companies to Cover Anticancer Medical Devices

May 22, 2019
The California State Senate has unanimously approved Senate Bill 746 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would require all health care insurance providers, that already cover chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to cover anticancer medical devices as of January 1, 2020. “No one should be...

Statement on Governor's Revised Budget Plan

May 9, 2019
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after Governor Gavin Newsom released his revised 2019-20 budget proposal : “The Governor’s desire for new taxes despite an estimated $21.5 billion budget surplus is unfortunate, unhelpful, and unnecessary. For example, adding...

Senate Approves Sen. Bates' License Portability Bill

May 6, 2019
The California State Senate 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 states to become...

Senate Approves Sen. Bates' Bill to Screen All Sexually Violent Predators Before Release

May 6, 2019
The California State Senate today approved 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...

Bill to Protect Emergency Preparedness at Shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Plant Clears First Hurdle

April 23, 2019
The Senate Government Organization Committee today 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...

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Senator Bates Honors "Douglas Landscape Inc." as 2018 Small Business of the Year

June 19, 2018
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) yesterday honored Douglas Landscape Inc. as her 2018 Small Business of the Year. Senator Bates recognized the South Orange County landscaping business during the California Small Business Day awards luncheon in Sacramento.

Republicans Call on AG Xavier Becerra to Protect the Public and Remove Guns from Felons & Other Prohibited Individuals

June 18, 2018
Republican lawmakers today proposed allocating an additional $25 million to the Attorney General’s office to remove illegal guns from convicted felons and adults with severe mental illness. “There are at least 10,000 people in California who are illegally in possession of guns,” said Senator Jim...

Record Revenue Shows Tax Hikes are Misguided

June 14, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ), Senator Jim Nielsen ( R-Tehama ), vice chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and budget conferee, and Senator John Moorlach ( R-Costa Mesa ), member of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and budget...

Senator Bates' Opioid Education Bill Passes Out of Assembly Business & Professions Committee

June 12, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Assembly Business and Professions Committee approved Senate Bill 1109 authored by Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ). SB 1109 would educate the public, especially those who are involved with youth, by explaining to them the risk of addiction and...

Senator Bates Honors Tri-City Hospital Foundation as Nonprofit of the Year

June 7, 2018
Glen Newhart, President of the Tri-City Hospital Foundation (right) and Dr. Jim Dagostino, Chairman of the Tri-City Healthcare District (left) pose for a photo with Sen. Bates’ legislative resolution honoring Tri-City Hospital Foundation at the California State Senate Chamber in Sacramento. To...

Senate Approves Senator Bates' Opioid Education Bill

May 22, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Senate Bill 1109 authored by Senator Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) passed unanimously off the Senate floor. SB 1109 would educate the public, especially those who are involved with youth, by explaining to them the risk of addiction and overdose from prescription opioids...

Senate Democrats Block Prop. 13 Bill

May 16, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) announced today that the Democrat-controlled Senate Governance and Finance Committee rejected her Senate Bill 1237 . Her bill would have corrected an outdated interpretation of property “change of ownership” in Proposition 13...

Senate Republican Leader Bates and Senator Nielsen Respond to Governor's May Budget Revision

May 11, 2018
SACRAMENTO - Today, Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) , vice chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, responded to Governor Jerry Brown's 2018-19 budget proposal . The Governor’s May Revision outlines a record breaking $199.3...

Senate Republican Leader Bates Issues Statement on Passing of Former Senator Sam Aanestad

May 8, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) issued the following statement on the passing of former State Assemblyman and Senator Sam Aanestad: “Senator Sam Aanestad was a great Californian who will be sorely missed by his friends, family and those he served. He was a...

Senate Republican Leader Bates' Statement on Passing of Governor George Deukmejian

May 8, 2018
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates ( R-Laguna Niguel ) released the following statement on the passing of former California Governor George Deukmejian: “I'm saddened to learn of the passing of one of California's most effective and popular governors in George Deukmejian. He was a...

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