Press Releases

Sacramento, CA – Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to phase out the use of harmful, mile-long fishing nets that ensnare and often kill whales, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life – Senate Bill (SB) 1017.

“This hard-won victory was a long time coming.  Finally we have found a way to phase out the use of these deadly and destructive nets without harming the commercial fishing industry in the process.  I am grateful to Governor Brown for signing it into law,” said Senator Allen.

Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D - Santa Monica) to end the use of wasteful take-out food containers in food facilities operated on state properties, including state parks and beaches, was signed into law today by Governor Jerry Brown.  SB 1335 would require that all food containers provided at food facilities in state-owned properties be recyclable or compostable by January 1, 2021.

Sacramento, CA – Legislation to phase out the use of harmful, mile-long fishing nets that ensnare and often kill whales, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life passed the legislature today.  Senate Bill (SB) 1017, authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica), was sent to the governor with a vote of 36 - 1 in the state Senate.  It passed the state Assembly with a bipartisan, near unanimous vote of 78 – 0 yesterday.

Sacramento, CA – California recently became the first state in the nation to put in place a law, authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica), that enables the state to block the sale or lease of federal land within its borders.  The Public Lands Protection Act prohibits County Recorders from completing a change of title on these federal lands unless the State Lands Commission has been given a first right of refusal to purchase the land, thereby ensuring their protection.