Political Landscape:

 SB 280, Omnibus Education, aims to streamline various bills dealing with teaching credentials and restore the ability of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, which has offices in Pasadena, to issue revenue bonds. The bill would allow Carnegie to issue bonds through the California Educational Facilities Authority to support the institution’s effort to build a large telescope in northern Chile.

State Sen. Bob Margett (R), 29th Senate District

 SB 161, Public Contracts, would require public agencies that accept bids and supplemental materials online to provide a receipt to the sender.

 SB 354, Contractors State Licensing Board, would provide that a licensed contractor who has aided or abetted an unlicensed contractor in evading state requirements shall be subject to an order to pay for injuries.

 SB 425, Public Safety Omnibus, would make numerous technical, non-substantive changes to code sections relating to public safety.

 SB 539, Trial Court Trust Fund, would revise the mandate that requires entities to remit payments to the State Trial Court Trust Fund and revise the penalty assessment for delinquent payments.

 SB 655, Inmates Tobacco and Cell Phones, would criminalize the possession of tobacco products and electronic devices within a county jail.

 SB 789, Surplus Property, would authorize the transfer of a specified property from the Chino Valley Unified School District to the City of Chino Hills.

Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (D), 43rd Assembly District

 AB 258, Marine Debris, would require manufacturers of pre-production plastic pellets known as “nurdles” to utilize proper housekeeping procedures for handling and disposal of the pellets to avoid spillage and release to the environment. The bill calls for significant penalties against businesses that fail to take precautions against allowing pellets to enter the storm water system.

 AB 291, Public Social Services Hearings, would extend the time frame during which recipients of public social services can file a complaint regarding the services to secure a hearing. Existing law requires complaints to be filed within 90 days of the incident.