SACRAMENTO – Last week, legislation put forward by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) that will help affordable housing organizations significantly increase the number of families they can serve passed the Assembly Floor with unanimous, bipartisan, support.

The bill, AB 587, will create a much-needed exemption for affordable housing organizations like Habitat for Humanity to sell deed-restricted land to eligible low-income homeowners.

            “We’re absolutely thrilled! This bill is a major game changer for Habitat and exciting news for housing in California.” said Debbie Arakel, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity California. “With high land costs being one of the greatest barriers to providing affordable homeownership, this bill allows Habitat to better leverage property. We can double our home production in many communities and provide even more homeownership opportunities for low income families throughout the state.” 

SACRAMENTO – Last week, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) was recognized by the California Assisted Living Association (CALA) as their ‘Legislator of the Year’ for her work in improving the safety of California’s assisted living facilities through her bill AB 3098.

BURBANK – At last night’s Burbank Unified School District meeting, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) joined leaders from the Armenian National Committee Burbank Chapter in expressing support for Resolution 23, calling for April 24^th, 2019 to be the official day of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.

SACRAMENTO – This morning, an innovative measure by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) creating the Office of Outdoor Recreation (OREC) to unite California’s  vast outdoor recreation sector in order to promote education, health, and economic development passed its first committee. The bill, AB 1111, passed the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee with unanimous, bipartisan, support receiving 13 votes in favor and none opposed.

            “California is home to amazing natural resources and endless recreation opportunities. This is an industry focused on sustainability that’s generated billions of dollars in revenue and jobs.” said Assemblymember Friedman (D-Glendale). “Bringing leaders from across the spectrum to the table is an important first step in our efforts to promote conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities for all Californians, while boosting our economy.”

SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, legislation by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale)  that would prohibit the sale and manufacture of new fur in California passed its first major hurdle. The bill, AB 44, garnered overwhelming support in its first committee hearing on a 10-4 vote in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) welcomed Shannon Elizabeth (Actress, American Pie), Ashley Welgan (Public Policy Specialist, The Humane Society), and Marc Ching (Founder, Animal Hope in Legislation) to the State Capitol to discuss AB 44 (Friedman), a bill prohibiting the sale and manufacture of fur in California.

SACRAMENTO – Tomorrow, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) will hold a news conference to discuss AB 44, a bill that would prohibit the sale and manufacture of new fur products in California. She will be joined by Shannon Elizabeth (Actress, American Pie), Ashley Welgan (Public Policy Specialist, The Humane Society), and Marc Ching (Founder, Animal Hope in Legislation).

The measure would make it unlawful to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, give, donate, or otherwise distribute a fur product in the state.  The bill exempts leather, cowhide, and shearling, as well as fur products used for religious purposes and used fur. The bill provides a civil penalty for each violation.

AB 44 would make California the first state in the nation to outlaw the sale and manufacture of fur products within its borders.