Hope this email finds you hanging in there and anticipating a fun and/or restful weekend. I’m writing with a couple updates regarding AB 257 (Hoover), the Assembly-side criminalization of homelessness bill. Unfortunately, we learned that this bill will be heard in Asm Public Safety Committee coming up on 3/7. Below are some updates and asks of you.
• Update: Amendments
o The bill was amended to slightly narrow the scope of the proposal, though the underlying concept and problematic elements remain unchanged. The amendments change the activities criminalized to be just for “camping” (rather than sitting, lying, and placing belongings), narrow the types of geographic sites for encampment bans, lower the fines (without eliminating them), and allow people charged with misdemeanors to be eligible for “diversion.”
• Ask: Please submit your own letter of opposition by 3/1!
o The bill will be heard on 3/7.
o Letters of opposition are due by 3/1 at 12pm (which is just before the Committee staff briefs the Committee Chair.) TEMPLATE OPPOSITION LETTER HERE
o Please submit letters to the Legislative Portal here: https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/
o Letters must include a signature, meaning that we cannot submit the coalition sign on letter on behalf of all the organizations there. We are asking folks to submit their own letters, including signatures, by Weds 3/1 at 12pm. Please note if you already submitted a letter, you will need to resubmit to make sure your letter addresses the recent amendments.
o There will be no remote testimony or “me toos” allowed at the hearing – meaning only those in person can testify against or say a “me too” in opposition. If you are interested in testifying in opposition in person, please let me know! We think it could be impactful for people who are seeing or experiencing the impacts of criminalization locally in the Sacramento area to testify against the bill and its potential impacts on 3/7.
If you have questions, please let me know!
Mari Castaldi
Senior Legislative Advocate on Homelessness
she/her/hers
Housing California
1107 9th Street, Suite 560, Sacramento, CA 95814
p: 916.297.4090 |c: 707.372.3078 | f: 916.447.1900
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