Press Releases

March 6, 2024

SACRAMENTO – In a 3-2 vote this morning, the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) approved a significantly weakened federal version of California’s landmark carbon disclosure law, SB 253, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). Unlike California’s law, the SEC rule does not require companies to disclose emissions from their supply chain, which can account for 75% or more of total emissions, and for the limited carbon disclosures that are required, the rule allows companies to unilaterally choose not to disclose information they deem irrelevant to their investors. 

February 16, 2024

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Senate Bill 1227, new legislation that spurs the revitalization of downtown San Francisco by providing regulatory and tax relief to a targeted area for a period of 10 years.

February 8, 2024

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 1047, a bill that seeks to ensure the safe development of large-scale artificial intelligence systems by establishing clear, predictable, common-sense safety standards for developers of the largest and most powerful AI systems. These duties do not apply to startups developing less potent models.

February 6, 2024

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) introduced Senate Bill 1012, which allows adults 21 and older to use certain psychedelic substances in a therapeutic context, in a safe and controlled environment, and under the supervision of a licensed and trained facilitator. The bill does not allow the sale, personal possession, or use of psychedelics outside of a regulated therapeutic context.

January 31, 2024

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Senate Bill 988 (SB 988), the Freelance Worker Protection Act. SB 988 provides basic protections — enforced by the State Labor Commissioner and the Attorney General — for freelance workers, including the right to a contract, the right to be paid within 30 days of the conclusion of the work, and the right to damages for non-payment, set at double the amount of wages withheld.

 

January 30, 2024

SACRAMENTO – Today, 10 Senators led by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released a letter calling on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject a utility-backed proposal that would raise energy bills for millions of Californians by $360-824 per year. The proposed fixed charge is 4-6x higher than similar charges in other states, and removes the incentive for customers to reduce their bill by conserving energy. To date, the CPUC has held no public hearings on this proposal.

January 30, 2024

SACRAMENTO – Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced a lawsuit against the state of California’s air regulator, Chamber v. California Air Resources Board (CARB), attempting to block Senator Wiener’s landmark climate law SB 253, as well as Senator Henry Stern’s landmark SB 261, which were signed into law by Governor Newsom last fall. SB 253 and 261 are globally leading carbon disclosure laws that will be deeply impactful in California’s climate efforts.

Senator Wiener issued the following statement in response:

January 26, 2024

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Senate Bill 969 (SB 969), which allows cities to create “Entertainment Zones” in public spaces where local bars and restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol outdoors. These zones will give bars and restaurants and the surrounding businesses a much-needed boost. By allowing this activity in targeted spaces designated by the local community, SB 969 will responsibly activate downtown streets where activity has struggled to rebound since the onset of COVID-19.

January 25, 2024

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Senate Bill 966 (SB 966), legislation to rein in anticompetitive practices by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which are a significant contributor to rising drug costs. By cracking down on abuses, requiring that PBMs be licensed by the California Board of Pharmacy, and bringing heightened scrutiny to the role PBMs play in rising drug prices, SB 966 will lower healthcare costs for millions of Californians.