2021 Legislation

The following legislation by Sen. Nancy Skinner was signed into law by Gov, Newsom in 2021

SB 8 (Housing): Signed by Gov. Newsom on Sept. 16, SB 8, is a follow-up to Sen. Skinner’s groundbreaking legislation, SB 330, also known as the Housing Crisis Act of 2019. SB 330, which went into effect in January 2020, has jumpstarted housing production in California, even during the COVID-induced economic downturn. But SB 330 was scheduled to expire in 2025. SB 8 extends SB 330’s provisions until 2030 and adds clarifying language to ensure that the bill’s original intent of streamlining the production of housing that meets a local jurisdiction’s existing zoning and other rules is met. Click here to read the press release.

SB 16 (Police Records): Signed by Gov. Newsom on Sept. 30, SB 16 expands and strengthens public access to police records by opening up records of officers who have engaged in biased or discriminatory behavior, conducted unlawful arrests or searches, or used force that is excessive or unreasonable. SB 16 also ensures that officers with a history of misconduct can’t just quit their jobs, keep their records secret, and move on to continue bad behavior in another jurisdiction. Click here to read the press release.

SB 26 (College Athletes’ Rights): Signed by Gov. Newsom on Aug. 31, SB 26 ensures that college athletes’ rights are fully protected and would move up the implementation date of SB 206, the Fair Pay to Play Act, to Sept. 1, 2021. SB 26 also expands the Fair Pay to Play Act to include California community college athletes. Click here to read the press release.

SB 27 (Carbon Sequestration): Signed by Gov. Newsom on Sept. 23, SB 27 maximizes nature’s ability to store climate-changing carbon in the soil, grasslands, wetlands, forests, and other natural systems throughout California, as well as exploring cutting-edge technology to mimic this natural process. Click here to read the press release.

SB 65 (California Momnibus Act): Signed by Gov. Newsom on Oct. 4, SB 65 includes several legislative and budget strategies to reduce pregnancy and postpartum death rates and infant mortality, especially for families of color. It also improves research and data collection on racial and socio-economic factors that contribute to higher rates of maternal and infant mortality. Click here to read the press release.

SB 81 (Judicial Guidelines for Sentencing Enhancements): Signed by Gov. Newsom on Oct. 8, SB 81 creates a set of guidelines for courts to curb the overuse of sentence enhancements that add years to a person's prison term. SB 81 was based on one of the recommendations made by the state's Committee on the Revision of the Penal Code, of which Sen. Skinner is a member. Click here to read the press release.

SB 290 (Housing Density Bonus): Signed by Gov. Newsom on Sept. 28, SB 290 clarifies California's housing Density Bonus law to spur the creation of more low-income student housing and for-sale housing for moderate-income residents. Click here to read the press release.

SB 354 (Foster youth placement): Signed by Gov. Newsom on Oct. 8, SB 354 expands opportunities in the foster care system for children to be housed with relatives and non-relative extended family member caregivers, provided that the child is not endangered. Click here to read the press release.