Sustainable economic growth is key to creating lasting, good-paying jobs. State Senator Noreen Evans understands that sustainable growth in California’s 2nd Senate district can best be achieved by investing in our chief asset, our people, through quality public education and job training; by supporting public infrastructure improvements that create jobs and keep our region attractive to employers; by encouraging tourism; and by making sure our state regulatory systems reward responsible industry.

Senator Evans’ legislative work supporting sustainable jobs and sustainable growth include:

AB 1216 (Honey) – Changes the definition of honey for labeling purposes to protect California consumers from deceptively labeled, adulterated, and potentially less healthy products. Deceptively labeled and misbranded products and adulteration of honey with other sweeteners or compounds are growing problems worldwide and their increasing presence in the market is adversely affecting honey prices in California. California agriculture depends on honeybees for pollination services. Introduced by Evans. 2009. Bill signed.

AB 1364 (Infrastructure Projects) – Responds to the uncertainties facing over 5,700 state infrastructure projects and related jobs as a result of the “stop work order” imposed for funds from the “stop work order” imposed for funds from the state’s Pooled Money Investment Account. The bill creates a framework to fairly and uniformly provide guidance through the challenges created by the “stop work order,” including the need to adjust project timetables and deadlines rendered obsolete by months of delay. This bill would help the state honor its project agreements as state infrastructure bond resources allow. Introduced by Evans.  2009. Bill signed.

AB 1470 (Wine) – Enables wineries to sell wine by the glass or bottle in a second tasting room while expanding public review in the licensure process. It also establishes consistency in how wineries may sell their wines at locations operating under duplicate licenses, conforms the issuance of duplicate licenses to a 30-day public review period, and allows customers of wine bars operating under a standard beer and wine bar license or a duplicate winery license to take home unfinished bottles of wine, as currently allowed at restaurants and wineries to promote responsible consumption. Introduced by Evans.  2009. Bill signed.

AB 1229 (Prequalification of Public Works Projects) – Establishes pre-qualification guidelines to be used by local public agencies for contractors bidding on infrastructure and other public works projects. This will help streamline the bidding process and ensure that contractors are qualified. 2009. Pending in committee.

AB1898 (St. Helena Flood Project) – Establishes eligibility for the city of St. Helena to receive state funds provided through state infrastructure bonds to help finance the completion of its flood project. These state funds range from 50 to 70 percent of project costs. Introduced by Evans.  2008. Bill signed.

AB 2004 (Winery Picnic Areas) – Updates the law to conform to allow winery visitors to drink wine in the picnic area of a winery. Introduced by Evans.  2008. Bill signed.

AB 2266 (Liquor Licenses for Napa Restaurants) – Directs the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to issue five additional on-sale liquor licenses a year for restaurants in Napa County between 2009-2011. This bill will provide an economic stimulus to Napa’s tourist economy by helping local restaurants meet the growing demands of 4.7 million visitors each year. Introduced by Evans.  2008. Bill signed.

AB 765 (Horse Racing) – Enacts numerous reforms in California’s horseracing industry to keep jobs in our community. It will finance facility improvements to the fairs at Santa Rosa and Vallejo, and reauthorize horseracing fans’ ability to wager on races across the country. Introduced by Evans.  2007. Bill signed.

AB 892 (California Wine) – This bill would enable the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to suspend or revoke the license of any person who produces wine under the California label if the wine is not made from 100 percent fermented juice derived from grapes grown in California. Introduced by Evans.  2007. Held in committee.

AB 3018 (Núñez) (California Green Jobs Act of 2008) – Requires the California Workforce Investment Board to create a Green Collar Jobs Council to address workforce needs of the green economy. This bill is a response to several reports indicating that there will be significant monetary investment and accompanying growth in green jobs over the next several years, including a Natural Resources Defense Council report estimating that by 2010, capital investments in California could see the creation of between 52,000 and 114,000 green jobs with a corresponding $11.2 billion to $25.3 billion in annual revenue. Supported by Evans. 2008. Bill signed.

SB 1560 (Yee) (Alcoholic Beverages Licenses) – Modifies an existing tied-house provision that permits the issuance or transfer of an “on-sale” retail license to a restaurant, even though a wholesaler licensed to sell alcoholic beverages outside California has an interest in the premises or the license. Co-authored by Evans. 2008. Bill signed.

Legislation Job Creation State Budget Reform Environment Healthcare Education & Children