Posted 1/3/2024, 5:23:05 AM
California Lawmakers Confront Myriad Issues as New Session Opens
- Lawmakers return to work facing a $68 billion budget deficit in an election year
- Decisions need to be made on regulating the AI industry with several bills proposed
- New Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and incoming Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire will guide budget talks
- Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong's bid to replace Kevin McCarthy in Congress while running for reelection has angered Democrats
- Leftover bills include requiring gun liability insurance, mental health hotlines, housing subsidies, and banning homeless encampments near schools