Governor Brown Signs Two Huff Bills into Law

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law two measures authored by Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff that deal with consumer protection issues.

Both Senate Bill 1364 and Senate Bill 1137 received bipartisan support during the legislative approval process.

“My thanks to the Governor for his recognition and support for the student safety and rate increase issues that my two bills address,” said Huff, R-Diamond Bar. “I’d also like to thank my colleagues in both the Senate and the Assembly for their support.”

Senate Bill 1364 requires operators of private water companies to notify customers of pending rate hikes in the same way public utilities are mandated to, according to Huff's office.  The legislation provides cities and customers advanced notice so they won't be caught off guard by unexpected rate hikes, he said.

“This bill also subjects water corporations with more than 2,000 service connections to the same reporting and auditing requirements currently imposed on electrical, gas, and telephone corporations,” he said. “It is designed to protect ratepayers.”

Also signed was Senate Bill 1137, which Huff, who represents Glendora in the state Senate, introduced at the request of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. 

The bill requires that California heritage schools, which offer privately financed, culture-based education, register with the state superintendent's office.

The legislation also mandates that all heritage school employees report any and all known child abuse.

“The Governor’s signature on SB 1137 means that all heritage schools are subject to requirements of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act,” Huff said.