Fresh from being named to two prominent Senate positions just weeks ago, State Senator Jenny Oropeza has introduced two new bills aimed at cleaning up California’s beaches and feeding its hungry.
The first, SB 4 or The No Smoking At State Parks And Beaches Act, is pretty self-explanatory. It calls for a $250 fine to be administered for smoking at a state park or state beach, in an effort to protect the marine environment and reduce fire danger. The bill is identical to one that Sen. Oropeza introduced in 2006, but she is counting on more support from colleagues this time around.
“Caring for our environment is a worthy goal of California’s policymakers,” Oropeza said in a press release. “Among the most important obligations of government is to safeguard its residents and be good stewards of our planet. I am hopeful fellow lawmakers will agree.”
The other bill, SB 35, aims to save food that is discarded after catered events and earmark that food for the hungry. According to a 2004 EPA study, food is the largest single source of waste in state landfills, which Oropeza hopes will change.
“There simply is too much perfectly good food being wasted in California,” she said in a separate release. “Sadly, too many people are struggling financially and going to bed hungry. This is especially tragic during the holidays.”
SB 35 is also nearly identical to a previous bill that failed in the Senate due to issues of restaurant liability and how exactly to direct the food, but Oropeza and her staff are working to finalize the details.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor