Sacramento, Calif., – After much anticipation from California’s poker community and interested stakeholders, Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr.(D-Los Angeles) has reintroduced a measure to legalize internet poker in California.  Assembly Bill 167, also called the Internet Poker Consumer Protection Act of  2015, would establish the framework to authorize qualified entities to operate intrastate internet poker websites.

“The reintroduction of this legislation comes on the heels of very thoughtful and collaborative discussion, including substantial input from both the state Department of Justice and the Gambling Control Commission. It is absolutely essential that we have a proper regulatory structure in place that provides safe and compliant internet poker access,” acknowledges Jones-Sawyer.

Under AB 167, authorized entities, which include tribal gaming facilities, licensed card rooms and in-state horse racing associations, must undergo an extensive ‘determination of suitability’ process by the Department of Justice before becoming eligible to apply for an operator license.  Key takeaways of the bill include a required one-time licensing fee of $10 million and mandatory gross gaming revenue payments of 8.5 percent; made quarterly to the state.  In addition, the bill makes any violation of its provisions a felony.

Internet poker was first discussed more than seven years ago in the legislature.  However, there has never been a vote in any committee on any previously introduced bill.  Jones-Sawyer hopes to change that this year.

“We have reached a new starting point.  The dialogue over the past year has allowed us to reach even broader consensus and mutual agreement as to who will be able to participate in providing internet poker to the citizens of this great state.  My goal remains unchanged:  to set a standard in California that is the shining example for the entire nation.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif., – (Sacramento) – Governor Jerry Brown recently signed Assembly Bill 877, authored by Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) and Raul Bocanegra (D – Pacoima). This bill will prevent sports team owners from writing off fines as a business expense on their state income tax returns.

Following a May 2014 NBA investigation of the conduct of then Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling from the NBA for life and fined him $2.5 million, the maximum fine allowed under the NBA Constitution. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif., - Governor Jerry Brown recently signed Assembly Bill 1783 authored by Assembly member Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr. which will save over $1 billion in federal transit money for California transit agencies. AB 1783 extends the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) exemption for transit employees.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., – Governor Jerry Brown recently signed Assembly Bill 1765 authored by Assembly member Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr. which seeks to increase the availability of affordable housing for low income individuals across California.

AB 1765 allows an individual to designate on his or her tax return a specified amount to be donated to the Habitat for Humanity Fund. The revenue raised through this tax check off can only be used for the sole purpose of building affordable housing throughout California.

Acquiring affordable housing in California continues to remain an elusive goal for thousands of low to moderate income households across the state.  According to the Public Policy Institute of California the average home in California is 1.8 times more expensive than the national average. Nearly 1 million extremely low income California households lack affordable homes.