Jerry Brown Signs 27 Bills Into Law, Including No Marijuana Use In Cars: LIST

It's been a busy week for California's lawmakers, as Friday marks the last day for any bills to be passed ahead of their recess. Anything that is passed by Friday and in the governor's possession on or after Friday must be signed or vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown by Oct. 15. Otherwise, those bills become law by default.

In the meantime, Brown got to work earlier this week on some legislation already in his possession. On Monday, he signed 24 bills into law while vetoing two others. One of the most notable new laws has to do with the use of recreational marijuana. SB 65 aims at making sure drivers or passengers in vehicles do not smoke or consume marijuana in any form. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

"This bill simply makes our laws on using marijuana while driving or riding in cars consistent with our laws on consuming alcohol while driving or riding in vehicles," Sen. Jerry Hill, a Democrat representing San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, said of the bill he authored.

Hill said SB 65 "enhances" Prop. 64. That proposition, which was approved by California's voters last November, stipulated that it's illegal to have open pot containers in vehicles but doesn't address the use of cannabis by other passengers or in other forms.

"The bill adds marijuana consumption to the law prohibiting alcohol consumption, which is an infraction currently punishable with a base fine of $70," Hill's office said.

"You should be holding the steering wheel — not a joint or an edible," Santa Clara County District Attorney Rosen said of SB 65. "There is nothing recreational, medicinal or legal about hurting someone in a car accident when you’re high. Please don’t do it."

One of the bills that Brown vetoed also had to do with marijuana. SB 663 was aimed at ensuring cannabis packages and labels are not attractive to children.

"Current law already prohibits cannabis and cannabis products from being designed to be attractive to children," Brown said in his veto message, while adding that state licensing authorities are already working on labeling restrictions.

Brown took action on the following legislation (click on the link to read the full bill text):

• AB 242 by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) – Certificates of death: veterans.
• AB 395 by Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) – Substance use treatment providers.
• AB 400 by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) – Crimes: alcoholic beverages: State Capitol.
• AB 593 by Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) – Structural Fumigation Enforcement Program.
• AB 711 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Beer manufacturers: free or discounted rides.
• AB 1108 by Assemblymember Tom F. Daly (D-Anaheim) – Self-service storage facilities.
• AB 1398 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Annuities: cash surrender benefits.
• AB 1487 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Public Employees’ Retirement System: limited term appointments.
• AB 1504 by Assemblymember Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) – State parks: concessions: contracts.
• AB 1613 by Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) – San Mateo County Transit District: retail transactions and use tax.
• SB 65 by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) – Vehicles: alcohol and marijuana: penalties.
• SB 157 by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) – Invasion of privacy: distribution of sexually explicit materials: protection of plaintiff’s identity.
• SB 335 by Senator Anthony J. Cannella (R-Ceres) – Nursery Advisory Board.
• SB 401 by Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) – Child care facilities: state employees.
• SB 407 by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) – Common interest developments: noncommercial solicitation.
• SB 410 by Senator Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove) – Civil service: veterans’ hiring preference: active duty members.
• SB 427 by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) – Public water systems: community water systems: lead user service lines.
• SB 455 by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) – Pupil enrollment: military dependents.
• SB 489 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Workers’ compensation: change of physician.
• SB 525 by Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) – Public employees’ retirement.
• SB 554 by Senator Jeff E. Stone (R-Temecula) – Nurse practitioners: physician assistants: buprenorphine.
• SB 628 by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) – Local educational agencies: governing board elections: Los Angeles Community College District.
• SB 654 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Local moratorium: gambling tables.
• SB 666 by Senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford) – California Gambling Control Commission and Department of Justice: postemployment restrictions.
• SB 684 by Senator Patricia C. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) – Incompetence to stand trial: conservatorship: treatment.
• SB 704 by Senator Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) – Division of Boating and Waterways: invasive aquatic plants control programs.
• SB 764 by Senator John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) – Real estate trust fund accounts: fidelity insurance.

Meanwhile, Brown vetoed the following two bills:

• SB 663 by Senator Jim W. Nielsen (R-Gerber) – Packages and labels of cannabis or cannabis products: children. A veto message can be found here.
• AB 662 by Assemblymember Steven Choi (R-Irvine) – Restitution: tracking. A veto message can be found here.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News / Getty Images