The Votes Are In!
2023 Readers' Choice is back, bigger and better than ever!
View Winners → 
Assembly member Holden’s Bills Pass
News Aug 29, 2013
by
share with
Assembly member Chris Holden’s (D-Pasadena) legislation to make the Small Business Loan Guarantee program more accessible and user friendly has been approved in the Legislature and now goes to Governor Brown for signature.
“At a time when California is striving to rebound from a long recession, this program can play a pivotal role in making much needed capital more accessible to thousands of small businesses so they can expand, create new jobs, and save the jobs of existing employees,” stated Assemblymember Holden.
AB 201 requires the Office of Small Business Advocate to include on its website information on the Small Business Loan Guarantee program’s (SBLGP) loan guarantees, direct lending, surety bond guarantees, and disaster loans.
“For the past 40 years, SBLGP has been instrumental in working with banks to guarantee loans to undercapitalized small businesses. A functional and user friendly website for SBLGP can play an important role in providing relevant information about the program for small businesses and potential financial institutions,” added Holden.
Since February 2011, over $143 million financial loans were issued, of which about $47 million was covered by Small Business Loan Guarantee Program.
Since 2004, more than 52 loans worth approximately $8.5 million dollars have been guaranteed in the 41st Assembly District.
AB 201 was approved 75 to 0 on concurrence in the Assembly today after passing the Senate late last week.
LEGISLATURE APPROVES HOLDEN BILL 139
Assemblymember Chris Holden’s AB 139 which strengthens penalties that abusers are required to pay to ensure more funding for Domestic Violence Shelters has been formally approved in the State Legislature following concurrence vote today in the Assembly. The measure now goes to the Governor for signature.
AB 139 clears up a technicality in order to provide more funds for local domestic violence shelters. The bill stipulates that those convicted of domestic violence must pay a minimum $500 fee – not a fine – after they are granted probation. This clarification is important because it would clear up confusion over the $500 payment and ensure funding for local domestic violence programs.
“Funding domestic violence shelters is critical. Clarifying the payment to be a fee would assist judges, collecting agencies and counties disburse the proper funding to the state and local shelters,” said Assemblymember Holden.
AB 139 unanimously passed both Houses and received support from domestic violence shelters throughout the state, as well as various women’s organizations.
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence worked closely with Holden’s office on this legislation. “We are delighted with the unanimous passage of AB 139,” said California Partnership interim executive director Kathy Moore. “This bill will ensure that the Legislature’s intent to use these fees to support domestic violence agencies is carried out. We are very grateful to Assemblymember Holden for his leadership on this important issue.”
Governor Brown now has 30 days to sign or veto AB 139. If signed, AB 139 would go into effect January 1, 2014.
