New Calif. Laws: 14 Bills Just Signed By Governor, Including The Naming Of An Official State Dinosaur

As he makes his way through a stack of legislation that hit his desk on the recent Sept. 15 deadline, Gov. Jerry Brown signed 14 new bills into law over the weekend. Among the most notable was AB 1540, which named California's state dinosaur: Augustynolophus morrisi, a duck-billed, plant-eater.

"Augustynolophus morrisi, though not as renowned as some of its prehistoric peers, has special significance for California, the state it roamed approximately 66 million years ago," the office of state Assemblyman Richard Bloom, a Democrat of Santa Monica, said in a news release.

"With tongue in cheek, Bloom called on his colleagues to vote for AB 1540 'because it is the most important dinosaur bill in the Legislature this year,'" his office said of the bill's signing.

According to Bloom, fossils of the dinosaur — which has been dubbed "Auggie" — have only ever been found in the Golden State. They were first unearthed in 1939 in Fresno County, and it's believed Augustynolophus morrisi roamed during the Maastrichtian Age along with the Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

Today, the State Senate votes on @augustynolophus to become California's official State Dinosaur! Fingers crossed! #AB1540 #StateDino pic.twitter.com/Mir4eOozv3
— NHMLA (@NHMLA) August 24, 2017

"Today is a great day for California and for paleontology," said assembly member Bloom. "It’s not often that legislation gives us an opportunity to learn about California’s prehistoric past; over the past several months Augustynolophus morrisi has inspired and educated Californians across the state, including its students, policymakers, and journalists."

Happy #FossilFriday! Meet @augustynolophus, who could soon be the official dinosaur of California! #DinoHall pic.twitter.com/JLGqNGpSXm
— NHMLA (@NHMLA) March 31, 2017

Another bill Brown signed is AB 1401, which involves the removal of children from potentially dangerous homes. It allows for social workers to more easily seek a court order to remove children in these circumstances.

"This bill would provide an additional tool for social workers and help to protect vulnerable children," a letter in support of the bill by the County of Riverside stated.

In addition to the above bills, Brown took action on the following legislation (click on the link to read the full bill text):

• AB 213 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) – Claims against the state.
• AB 261 by Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) – School districts: governing boards: pupil members: preferential voting.
• AB 295 by Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Skydiving or sport parachuting operations.
• AB 836 by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) – Vending machines: bulk food.
• AB 868 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Private postsecondary education: community-based organizations.
• AB 1309 by Assemblymember Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) – Employment without reinstatement: failure to enroll or report: fee.
• AB 1401 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (R-San Diego) – Juveniles: protective custody warrant.
• AB 1538 by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) – Alameda Health System Hospital Authority: physician services.
• AB 1540 by Assemblymember Richard H. Bloom (D-Santa Monica) – State dinosaur: Augustynolophus morrisi.
• AB 1728 by the Committee on Local Government – Health care districts: board of directors.
• SB 314 by Senator Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove) – Massage therapy: certification: credit hours.
• SB 340 by Senator Robert M. Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) – Corporations: dissolution: bankruptcy.
• SB 430 by the Committee on Insurance – California Insurance Guarantee Association: covered claims.
• SB 811 by the Committee on Public Safety – Public safety: omnibus.

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• California’s Hepatitis A Outbreak: 5 Things To Know
  
• Jerry Brown Signs 27 Bills Into Law, Including No Marijuana Use In Cars: LIST

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Image Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/ Associated Press