Legislation

During his tenure in the Legislature, Senator Yee has fought for children, mental health services, working families, seniors, education, open government, consumer protection, civil rights, and the environment. Yee has been named “Legislator of the Year” by more than 20 different organizations including the American Psychological Association, California School Employees Association, California Psychiatric Association, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, San Francisco Women's Political Committee, California Faculty Association, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Since 2003, Dr. Yee has one of the best track records in getting his bills passed and signed into law. In fact, he has successfully passed 164 pieces of legislation, of which 124 have been chaptered into law.

2013 Legislation

In 2013, Senator Yee has introduced a comprehensive bill package focused on election reform, open government, reducing gun violence, protecting consumers, supporting foster youth and assisting California’s most vulnerable citizens.

  • SB 3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure
  • SB 8 - UC, CSU Executive Compensation
  • SB 44 - Online Voter Registration: State Websites
  • SB 47 - Assault Weapons: Bullet Button Loophole
  • SB 61 - Juvenile Solitary Confinement
  • SB 108 - Gun Safety and Storage
  • SB 218 - TCM Traumatology
  • SB 219 - Double Fine Zones: 19th and Van Ness Avenues
  • SB 240 - Polling Places: Public Universities
  • SB 282 - Medical Information
  • SB 286 - HOV Lanes – Green Sticker Program
  • SB 327 - Human Trafficking – Habeas Corpus
  • SB 335 - State Budget – Services Contracts
  • SB 342 - Foster Youth – Home Visits
  • SB 343 - Foster Youth – Vital Records
  • SB 356 - Card Clubs – Financial Interests
  • SB 381 - Chiropractic – Scope of Practice
  • SB 410 - Healthcare - Prescriptions
  • SB 480 - Social Services – Reinstated Benefits
  • SB 495 - Pay Parity – UC/CSU Health Centers
  • SB 528 - Young Parents in Foster Care
  • SB 553 - Transparency – Fee Elections
  • SB 575 - Foster Care – Case Loads
  • SB 596 - Mental Health – Support Services
  • SB 601 - Card Clubs
  • SB 602 - Human Services Omnibus
  • SB 619 - Public Employees – Civics Learning
  • SB 637 - Early Voting
  • SB 664 - Laura’s Law - Streamlining
  • SB 718 - Workplace Violence
  • SB 738 - Child Exploitation
  • SB 751 - Government Transparency
  • SB 764 - Department of Fish and Game
  • SB 766 - Ancillary Childcare Facilities
  • SJR 6 - LINE Act - Voter Suppression
  • SCR 10 - Open Data Day
  • SCR 20 - Leyte Landing Commemoration
  • SR 8 - Violence Against Women Act

2012 Legislation

In 2012, Senator Leland Yee had 15 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, SB 9 provides juveniles sentenced to life without parole, who express remorse and work towards rehabilitation, the opportunity to petition for a new sentence of 25 years to life. SB 1001 increases fees required of registered lobbyists, ballot measure committees, and independent expenditure committees, in order to finance the maintenance of the state campaign and lobbying disclosure system. SB 1349 prohibits public and private colleges and universities from asking students and applicants for their social media usernames and passwords. SB 1339 helps reduce pollution and traffic congestion in San Francisco Bay Area by creating a regional commute benefit requirement of medium and large businesses.

  • SB 9 - Fair Sentencing for Youth Act, Chapter 828
  • SB 114 - Community College Faculty Equity, Chapter 829
  • SB 118 - Controller: Bonds, Chapter 488
  • SB 968 - Acupuncture: Doctorate, Chapter 326
  • SB 977 - Nail Polish Toxins, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 1001 - Cal-Access - Lobbying Fees, Chapter 506
  • SB 1002 - Open Data Standard, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 1003 - Brown Act Enforcement, Chapter 732
  • SB 1134 - Therapists: Duty to Protect, Chapter 149
  • SB 1339 - Commute Benefit - Bay Area Pollution, Chapter 871
  • SB 1349 - Social Media Privacy Act, Chapter 619
  • SB 1403 - Elder Abuse, Domestic Violence - Tenants, Chapter 516
  • SB 1465 - Rice Noodle Production, Chapter 658
  • SJR 29 - Voter Suppression, Chapter 125
  • SCR 73 - Child Sexual Abuse Education, Chapter 87
  • SCR 81 - Voter Registration Day, Chapter 90
  • SCR 102 - Officer Patricia Scully Memorial Highway, Chapter 120

2011 Legislation

In 2011, Senator Leland Yee had 9 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, SB 8 ensures UC and CSU foundations and auxiliary organizations adhere to the public records act. SB 41 provides safe access to sterile syringes to prevent the spread of AIDS, HIV, and hepatitis. SB 136 guarantees prevailing wage on all public energy projects. SB 216 mandates automatic and remotely controlled shutoff valves throughout California's natural gas pipeline system. SB 397 allows citizens to register to vote via the internet. SB 602 protects consumers privacy on book purchases.

  • SB 8 - Higher Education Transparency - Richard McKee Act, Chapter 247
  • SB 41 - Disease Prevention - Sterile Syringe Access, Chapter 738
  • SB 88 - Ballot Integrity - Non-English Names, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 105 - Ski Helmets - Child Safety, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 111 - Civil Rights - Language Protection, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 136 - Prevailing Wage - Energy Projects, Chapter 698
  • SB 216 - Natural Gas Pipeline Safety, Chapter 521
  • SB 364 - Corporate Tax Credit Accountability, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 397 - Online Voter Registration, Chapter 561
  • SB 582 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 602 - Reader Privacy Act, Chapter 424
  • SB 869 - Consumer Protection - Airbag Repair, Chapter 430
  • SCR 8 - Sunshine Week, Chapter 7
  • SCR 56 - Firefighter Memorial Day, Chapter 59

2010 Legislation

In 2010, Senator Leland Yee had 18 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, SB 650 provides legal protections for UC employees who are retaliated against for reporting illegal or improper actions. SB 438 ensures that charter schools adhere to the state’s student speech and employee protection laws. SB 535 allows access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) highway lanes for the latest generation of low-emission vehicles. SB 782 prohibits landlords from unfairly evicting survivors of domestic violence. SB 880 requires all children under age 18 to wear helmets while skiing and snowboarding. SB 677 allows courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking.

  • SB 220 - Smoking Cessation: Insurance Mandate, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 330 - UC, CSU Transparency - Public Records, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 438 - Student Speech Rights - Charter Schools, Chapter 142
  • SB 535 - HOV Lanes - Low Emission Vehicles, Chapter 215
  • SB 650 - UC Whistleblowers, Chapter 104
  • SB 662 - Domestic Violence Shelter Funding, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 677 - Human Trafficking, Chapter 625
  • SB 782 - Domestic Violence Victims - Evictions, Chapter 626
  • SB 880 - Child Safety - Ski Helmets, Chapter 278
  • SB 888 - Rice-based Asian Noodles, Chapter 508
  • SB 1029 - Disease Prevention: Clean Needles, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 1050 - Osteopathic - Naturopathic Oversight, Chapter 143
  • SB 1116 - Heritage Schools, Chapter 286
  • SB 1260 - Hotel Alcohol Sales, Chapter 289
  • SB 1333 - Airport Easements, Chapter 329
  • SB 1451 - Curriculum Review - Textbooks, Governor Vetoed
  • ABx6 11 - San Bruno Disaster Relief, Chapter 2
  • JLAC 105 - Audit: University of California, Adopted
  • SCR 40 - Juvenile Justice Bill of Rights, Chapter 55
  • SCR 63 - Consumer Protection: Pawnbroker Database, Chapter 16
  • SCR 97 - Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day, Chapter 52
  • SCR 124 - America’s Cup - San Francisco, Chapter 133
  • SJR 24 - International Violence Against Women Act, Chapter 53
  • SJR 25 - Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation, Chapter 98
  • SR 45 - Reunification of Ireland, Adopted

2009 Legislation

In 2009, Senator Leland Yee had 9 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, SB 13 restores $16.3 million for 94 domestic violence shelters and centers throughout California. SB 340 protects consumers by requiring businesses to clearly and conspicuously enumerate all automatic renewal offer terms and obtain customers affirmative consent. SB 447 helps protect children from sexual predators and other violent criminals by reforming the criminal background check law at youth organizations. SB 786 protects the right of individuals to enforce open government laws without fear of a significant financial burden and ensures that public entities act with greater transparency. SCR 48 makes California the first state to officially declare October as Filipino American History Month.

  • SB 86 - UC, CSU Executive Pay Freeze, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 131 - San Francisco Symphony - Tied House, Chapter 638
  • SB 218 - Campus Auxiliaries - Public Records, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 219 - UC Whistleblowers, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 242 - Civil Rights - Language Protection, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 288 - Ballot Integrity - Non-English Names, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 300 - Bar Pilots, Chapter 576
  • SB 340 - Consumer Protection - Automatic Renewal, Chapter 350
  • SB 447 - Youth Organizations - Background Checks, Chapter 50
  • SB 557 - Human Trafficking, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 786 - Government Transparency, Chapter 65
  • SB 791 - IHSS - Benefits, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 819 - Public Accountants, Chapter 308
  • SB 3x 13 - Domestic Violence Shelter Funding, Chapter 29
  • SCR 41 - California Microenterprise Development, Chapter 59
  • SCR 48 - Filipino American History Month, Chapter 120
  • SR 17 - Shaolin Temple Day, Adopted

2008 Legislation

In 2008, Senator Leland Yee had 14 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, SB 1356 protects domestic violence survivors from the threat of incarceration when they refuse to testify against their abuser in court. SB 697 bans the predatory practice of balance billing for low-income families. SB 1217 provides public oversight of the state bar pilots commission. SB 1250 is designed to reduce recidivism by allowing greater family communication for incarcerated youth. SB 1370 protects high school and college teachers and other employees from retaliation by administrators as a result of student speech. SB 1419 protects San Francisco pedestrians by declaring a double-fine zone on 19th and Van Ness Avenues. SB 1696 allows greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies.

  • SB 685 - Pet Trusts, Chapter 168
  • SB 697 - Healthy Families Balance Billing, Chapter 606
  • SB 940 - Temporary Staffing Agencies, Chapter 169
  • SB 1147 - Incarcerated Youth: Medi-Cal Eligibility, Chapter 546
  • SB 1217 - Bar Pilots - Oil Spill response, Chapter 568
  • SB 1250 - Juvenile Justice Communications, Chapter 522
  • SB 1356 - Domestic Violence Victim Protections, Chapter 49
  • SB 1370 - School Employee Protection / Student Speech, Chapter 525
  • SB 1419 - 19th Avenue Pedestrian Safety - Double Fine Zone, Chapter 121
  • SB 1447 - San Bruno Park Schools, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 1505 - Whistleblower Protection, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 1519 - Illegal Taxicabs, Chapter 721
  • SB 1527 - Cow Palace - Bayshore Revitalization, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 1560 - Tied-house Exemption, Chapter 412
  • SB 1623 - Rice Certification Act, Chapter 414
  • SB 1696 - Public Records Act - Contracts, Chapter 62
  • SB 1731 - Traffic Congestion Relief, Governor Vetoed
  • SCR 71 - Tom Lantos Tunnel at Devil’s Slide, Chapter 85

2007 Legislation

In 2007, Senator Leland Yee had 11 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, SB 190 - the Higher Education Governance Accountability Act, brings major transparency reforms to the governing boards of the University of California and California State University. SB 230 grants the Broadmoor Police Department with all the powers and responsibilities of a municipal police force. SB 279 addresses illegal organized vehicle sales which cause a public nuisance and safety concerns. SB 523 increases the number of child support payments collected in San Mateo County by establishing a program to allow judges to order an unemployed child support obligor to seek work at the initial support hearing. SCR 52 calls for shared governance by workers of the University of California employee’s pension plan.

  • SB 190 - Higher Education Governance Accountability Act, Chapter 523
  • SB 230 - Broadmoor Police Protection District, Chapter 169
  • SB 279 - Towing: law enforcement, Chapter 89
  • SB 316 - Insurance statute cleanup, Chapter 431
  • SB 523 - Child support delinquencies, Chapter 249
  • SB 533 - Child immunizations, Governor Vetoed
  • SB 795 - Cemetery Trusts, Chapter 307
  • SB 916 - Patient protection: 5150 holds, Chapter 308
  • SJR 5 - Filipino Veterans Equity Act, Chapter 76
  • SCR 26 - World Languages and Cultures Month, Chapter 31
  • SCR 36 - California Community College Music Day, Chapter 49
  • SCR 52 - UC Retirement Plan: joint governance, Chapter 126
  • SR 15 - Girl Scouts: Water Conservation Program, Adopted

2006 Legislation

In 2006, Leland Yee had 10 bills chaptered. Most notably, AB 2581 made California the first state in the nation to specifically prohibit censorship of college student press, including school newspapers and broadcast journalism. AB 450 requires disaster preparedness agencies to consider household pets, service animals, equines, and livestock in emergency evacuation planning. AB 1969 increases the production of renewable energy in California by allowing water and wastewater agencies to sell environmentally-friendly energy - such as small hydro, solar, and biogas - produced by their treatment and delivery facilities to electrical companies. AB 1207 adds sexual orientation to the list of protections in the Code of Fair Political Practices. AB 409, emergency legislation, establishes new health standards to protect nail salon consumers. ACR 106 officially declares California’s White Ribbon Campaign, an effort of men against violence.

  • AB 409 - Nail salon safety: consumer protection, Chapter 381
  • AB 450 - Animal disaster planning, Chapter 604
  • AB 469 - School food: nutrition guidelines, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 790 - Fraudulent lending practices, Chapter 199
  • AB 1207 - Sexual orientation: fair political practices, Chapter 551
  • AB 1852 - Mental health provider: loan forgiveness, Chapter 557
  • AB 1969 - Water agencies: renewable energy, Chapter 731
  • AB 2004 - Incarcerated youth: Medi-Cal reinstatement, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 2357 - Laura’s Law: assisted outpatient treatment, Chapter 774
  • AB 2581 - College media: free speech protection, Chapter 158
  • AB 2776 - Mental health: community treatment, Chapter 796
  • ACR 106 - White Ribbon Campaign, Chapter 10

2005 Legislation

In 2005, 12 Leland Yee-authored bills were chaptered into law. Most notably, AB 1179 protects children from the harmful effects of ultra-violent video games. AB 451 returns millions of dollars to airport communities across the state. AB 1116 allows properly trained foster parents to administer life-saving shots for their foster children. AB 800 guarantees a patient’s spoken language is included in his/her medical records. AJR 14 officially declares California’s opposition to any weakening of the federal offshore oil drilling moratorium.

  • AB 297 - State Employees: requirement to file charges, Chapter 217
  • AB 443 - School food sales, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 444 - School food: nutrition guidelines, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 451 - Local sales tax: jet fuel: place of sale, Chapter 391
  • AB 452 - Vehicles: fines, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 467 - Mental Health: hospital contracts, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 592 - Physicians and surgeons: Lyme Disease, Chapter 304
  • AB 800 - Medical Records: Patient’s spoken language, Chapter 313
  • AB 866 - Code of Fair Political Practices, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 1113 - Acupuncture: Diagnosis, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 1114 - Acupuncture: Continuing education, Chapter 648
  • AB 1115 - Acupuncture: Assistant, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 1116 - Foster Care: injections, Chapter 637
  • AB 1117 - Acupuncture: Use of term oriental, Chapter 649
  • AB 1179 - Violent video games: sales to minors, Chapter 638
  • AB 1208 - Vehicle registration fee, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 1263 - Barbering and cosmetology: Nail Salons, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 1309 - Medical Quality Improvement, Chapter 516
  • AB 1737 - Worker’s Compensation: Medical recoveries, Governor Vetoed
  • AJR 14 - Offshore drilling leases: moratorium, Chapter 94
  • ACR 54 - Mental Health Occupations Week, Chapter 44
  • ACR 76 - Microenterprise Development Month, Chapter 134

2004 Legislation

In 2004, Leland Yee had 11 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, AB 3042 helps protect children from being exploited through prostitution. AB 2412 helps part-time community college faculty to access earned unemployment benefits. AB 1793 gives parents a tool in choosing appropriate video games for their children by requiring retailers to post signs about the rating system. ACR 195 brings greater awareness of the need for literacy instruction for visually impaired students through the use of Braille.

  • AB 939 - Hospital Reimbursement; Mental Health, Chapter 748
  • AB 1793 - Violent Video Games - Signage, Chapter 630
  • AB 1818 - Snowmobile - Consumer Protection, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 2408 - Dymally - Alatorre; Bilingual Hiring Practice, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 2409 - Cytogenetists, Chapter 807
  • AB 2412 - Community College Unemployment Benefits, Chapter 808
  • AB 2466 - Jet Fuel Sales Tax - Close Loophole, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 3032 - URM - retrofitting signs, Chapter 308
  • AB 3033 - URM - local control, Chapter 663
  • AB 3034 - Biotech Incentives, Governor Vetoed
  • AB 3042 - Child Prostitution - Penalty Enhancement, Chapter 749
  • AB 3043 - Calendar - Alcohol return, Chapter 335
  • AB 3044 - Ultrasound - Education, Chapter 770
  • ACR 116 - History and social science curriculum: coverage of human rights violations, Chapter 141
  • ACR 195 - Literacy instruction: Braille, Chapter 134

2003 Legislation

In 2003, Leland Yee’s first year in the Legislature, he had all 15 of his bills signed into law. Most notably, AB 504 increased fines for littering in parks and open space districts. AB 938 offers incentives to mental health practitioners working in medically under-served communities. AB 1102 requires evaluation of current mental health sensitivity training for law enforcement officers. AB 1371 strengthens informed consent requirements for mentally ill patients involved in medical research. ACR 158 officially declares each January as Mental Wellness Month in California.

  • AB 453 - Public Works Contracts, Chapter 678
  • AB 504 - Park and Open Space Districts, Chapter 106
  • AB 566 - Language Inclusive Notification, Chapter 82
  • AB 605 - Cruise Ship Language Clean Up, Chapter 68
  • AB 792 - Removal and Storage of Vehicles, Chapter 212
  • AB 812 - San Francisco Transbay Terminal, Chapter 99
  • AB 938 - Loan Forgiveness - Mental Health Provider Grads, Chapter 437
  • AB 941 - State Hospital Reporting; Clean Up Language, Chapter 356
  • AB 1102 - Mental Health Training for Law Enforcement, Chapter 269
  • AB 1370 - Community Treatment Facilities, Chapter 575
  • AB 1371 - Informed Consent; Medical Research - Mentally Ill, Chapter 397
  • ACR 157 - Volunteer Blood Donor Month, Chapter 5
  • ACR 158 - Mental Wellness Month, Chapter 6
  • ACR 215 - Children’s Memorial Day, Chapter 59
  • AJR 41 - Psychotropic drugs and youth: the Federal Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2003, Chapter 68