2012 June 5 Election Recommendations

Positions of Major Organizations on June 5, 2012 Primary Ballot Initiatives (pdf), prepared by the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry Action Network, CA Ballot Measures Committee.

Promote Immigrant Justice

Secure Communities is tearing apart families and sowing distrust in law enforcement in the immigrant community. 

Support AB1081(Ammiano) The TRUST Act
AB1801 (Ammiano) TRUST Act Fact Sheet
"Misplaced Priorities" UC Irvine Law Clinic Report

Realize the Human Right to Water

To promote health and ensure a dignified human existence, all people have a right to safe, affordable, sufficient water for daily human needs.

Pass the Human Right to Water Bill AB685 (Eng) in 2012

An outpouring of grassroots support from UUs and community partners in the Safe Water Alliance helped 4 bills in the 2011 Human Right to Water package pass both houses of the CA Legislature and Governor Brown signed them into law. Three cheers! In signing the bills, Governor Brown affirmed that “Clean drinking water is a basic human right.”

However, the principal Human Right to Water Bill (AB685) must still make it through the Senate to the Governor's desk.  In 2012, this bill is joined by four others which take concrete steps to expand access to safe affordable water.

Collect signatures to Support the 2012 Human Right to Water Bill Package. 
Download the Sign-on Form. 

• In English
• In Spanish

• Keep the signed original locally.
• Send copies ASAP to
  UULM Action Network, CA 717 K St. #514, Sacramento, CA 95818.  FAX 916 441-0015
• Visit and/or call your State Senator and Assemblymember to ask for their support of the Human Right to Water Bill Package.

2012 Human Right to Water Bill Package
AB685  (Eng) Human Right to Water – This bill would establish the human right to water as a statewide policy priority of ensuring all Californians have access to safe, affordable, and sufficient drinking water.The bill charges all relevant state water related agencies with advancing the implementation of the policy when taking administrative actions that impact the safety or affordability of drinking water and sanitation. A similar bill was passed by the State Legislature in 2009, but vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. In 2011 AB685 passed the Assembly.  In 2012, we want to pass the Senate and get it to the Governor for his signature.

Read the outstanding new legal analysis of AB685 authored by the Community Water Center and the Safe Water Alliance.

AB 2334 - (Fong) Water Affordability  - This bill would require the Dept of Water Resources as part of updating the CA Water Plan, every five years, to include an analysis of water affordability, determine factors contributing to high water cost, and propose programs to make water affordable in high cost communities. Requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR), as part of the California Water Plan, to analyze how drinking water and wastewater services could be made more affordable for  low-income residents.

AB 1830 - (VM Perez) Protections for Mobile Home Park Residents and Water Rates– Authorizes the PUC to order restitution to mobile home park residents were it finds that the park owner charged unjust or unreasonable water charges.

AB2238 - (Perea)  Lanare Consolidation--Through improved funding mechanisms, this bill would promote consolidation or extension of infrastructure and/or management services to better serve existing low-income communities that currently lack safe affordable water.

AB 1669 (Perea) “At Risk Areas”– This bill would creates the “Nitrate at Risk Area Fund” to be administered by the SWRCB to fund drinking water projects in disadvantaged communities which are also nitrate at risk areas designated by the Board in collaboration with the Dept of Public Health.

Thanks for helping us to create a wave of change!

Legislative Meetings - Step by Step

A step-by-step guide to organizing Congressional and Legislative Meetings.