Three pieces of legislation proposed by San Luis Obispo Senator Sam Blakeslee were signed into law on Oct. 1. The three bills will promote solar energy use, help the families of deceased San Luis Obispo police officers and strengthen seismic safety in San Luis Obispo respectively.
Erin Shaw, Blakeslee’s press secretary, said the office was excited about the recent bills being passed.
“It’s great to have these bills put into effect that impact the district,” she said.
Assembly Bill 44 (AB 44), Assembly Bill 2742 (AB 2742) and Assembly Bill 2746 (AB 2746) are the three most recent bills authored by Blakeslee that the governor has signed.
When asked about the governor’s opinion on the bills, the deputy press secretary at the office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Matt Connelly, said Schwarzenegger only signs bills he supports.
“Usually he signs it (because) he supports it and we don’t really go much further than that,” Connelly said.
AB 44, also labeled as Renewable Energy: Homeowner Financing on Blakeslee’s website, will reduce the costs to install renewable energy systems for homeowners. San Luis Obispo residents who wish to set up solar panels on their homes will save up to 25 percent, as stated in a press release by Blakeslee.
Business administration junior Lindsay Carr said she was happy to see San Luis Obispo taking the initiative to start encouraging renewable energy throughout the city.
“I think it sounds like a good idea especially because we should start figuring out new ways to have clean, renewable energy,” she said. “Despite some potential costs for the city, I think in the long run the cost will make itself up; over time the benefits for the environment will outweigh any costs to the city.”
One of the other bills signed by Schwarzenegger is AB 2742 — also called State Public Safety Officers: Donation of Leave Credits on Blakeslee’s website. The bill was suggested after a San Luis Obispo police officer Lt. Clarence VanHoose died, and some of VanHoose’s colleagues wanted to donate leave credits to his family but encountered difficulties doing so. The bill is designed to allow police officers to donate leave credits to the survivors of a colleague who died within one year of retirement.
As stated on the website, this bill eliminates the barriers that prevent state employees from helping the families of those who have passed away.
“This is another really good idea because police officers should be able to help anyone else out,” Carr said. “I think it is more of an obvious thing that should have already been able to happen, but that’s what happens with the government sometimes.”
AB 2746, which is titled Seismic Safety: Chief Mitigation Officer on Blakeslee’s website, created a new position for the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). The position, the Chief Mitigation Officer, will educate the residents of California about seismic safety and to work with researchers to develop and moderate seismic risk.
Having someone in charge of earthquake mitigation is nothing but helpful for the state of California and the city of San Luis Obispo, since natural disasters happen all over the world, Carr said.
“After what happened with Hurricane Katrina, it is probably a good idea to have someone in charge like that,” Carr said. “The more we can prepare with like a backup plan the more smoothly things will happen if and when an earthquake does occur. It’s one more person to help figure out what we need to do to manage the risks.”
For Blakeslee all three bills are a win for District 33 and San Luis Obispo County.
“I am honored that the governor agreed that these important bills were necessary for California,” Blakesless said in a press release. “I’m proud we were able to tackle a number of issues that impact my district. I will continue to push for policies that better our communities and neighborhoods.”