Assemblymember Juan Alanis announced Thursday that his bill to streamline reporting requirements for household hazardous waste collection facilities (HHWCFs) has cleared the Senate with no opposition.

The bill standardizes the annual reporting periods for the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Both Departments require similar data each year, but AB 1617 would change the reporting period for CalRecycle’s Form 303 to match the calendar year.

“Our local agencies have been asking for this change for a long time,” said the Assemblymember. “This bill will help reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, freeing up time and resources that could be better spent elsewhere.”

The bill passed the Senate Floor unanimously and will now head to the Assembly Floor for a concurrence vote.

Alanis’ bill to integrate first responder education courses into the Common Course Numbering System (CCN) at California Community Colleges has also passed the Senate Floor.

The CCN was established by AB 1111 (Berman, 2021) with the intent to make it easier for students to transfer general education requirements across institutions. Under current law, these provisions do not extend to career technical education programs, including those that train law enforcement and firefighters.

“First responders play a critical role in maintaining the safety and well-being of our communities,” Assemblymember Alanis said. “By streamlining pathways to first responder careers, AB 1728 will ensure our communities are protected for years to come.”

The bill comes as California faces significant recruitment and retention challenges in public safety. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that, in many counties, there are fewer than two law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents.

AB 1728 passed the Senate Floor with a 39-0 vote and will now head to the Assembly Floor for a Concurrence vote.

Assembly Bill 2004 (AB 2004) is headed to the Governor’s desk after passing the State Senate on a unanimous 38-0 vote.

The bill would allow Fresno and San Joaquin Counties to designate correctional deputy sheriffs as peace officers, consistent with 39 other California counties.

“For me, this bill has always come down to a simple question of fairness,” said Assemblymember Alanis. “If these officers are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect their colleagues and our communities, they should have the same opportunity for recognition and support as their peers performing this work elsewhere in California.”

Fresno County Correctional Officer Toamalama Scanlan was shot while responding to an armed attacker at the Fresno County Jail in 2016. After years of hospitalization and rehabilitation, he died from his injuries in 2021.

Because of his classification, Officer Scanlan was not eligible for recognition on the California Peace Officers’ Memorial. His sacrifice underscores the need for greater fairness for correctional officers in Fresno and San Joaquin Counties.

Following the vote, the Scanlan family shared their deep appreciation:

“It has been exhilarating and gratifying to rally alongside some of the most selfless and hardworking people, my beloved husband’s correctional officer family and team, to help advance the Scanlan bill, AB 2004, and the fight for equal protection, equal benefits, and equal recognition. We thank Assemblymember Juan Alanis for his firm commitment and leadership in carrying this bill, and all the lawmakers who voted in support. We are deeply grateful and appreciative of everyone who has helped bring us to this point.”

“Officer Scanlan answered the call when his fellow officers needed him, and he ultimately gave his life because of it,” Alanis said. “While we cannot rewrite the past, we can honor his sacrifice by taking action to make the system fairer for the correctional officers who follow in his footsteps. It is a privilege to stand alongside the Scanlan family, and I am profoundly grateful for their trust in allowing me to bring their story and this legislation forward.”

The measure passed the Assembly 60-0 and the Senate 38-0.

AB 2004 now goes to Governor Gavin Newsom for consideration.