Donor Recognition
(Los Angeles) – Three bills authored by State Senator Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) were signed by Governor Schwarzenegger late Sunday evening. Among them, a first of its kind proposal to repurpose confiscated counterfeit goods for charitable causes. SB 324 enables a prosecuting attorney to request that judges permit a trademark owner to donate the goods rather than destroying items at the close of a criminal case. The new Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich had supported the bill.
Ruth Schwartz, Executive Director of Shelter Partnership which runs a 108,000 square foot clearinghouse of donated goods that are distributed to county service provides approached Cedillo’s office with the idea. In Los Angeles County alone there are about $2 billion worth of counterfeit goods sold annually. These items include toys, household items, jeans, shoes, business and warm weather attire. Essential provisions for families or individuals impacted by homelessness.
Cedillo worked with Schwartz and the attorney responsible for the Identity Theft and Fraud Unit in the Office of the City Attorney to draft the language of the bill. "The idea that all those goods were being destroyed while service agencies struggled to meet a growing demand for basic goods was unbelievable. We are grateful to work with the Senator once again on homelessness issues and very pleased the Governor put this bill to work at a time when so many people are coping with economic hardship," shared Schwartz. Cedillo has authored numerous bills on homelessness including the landmark SB 2 Fair Share Zoning. That bill, signed by Schwarzenegger in 2007, requires every city and county in California to assess the number of homeless persons in their community and to identify zones where emergency shelters are able to locate.
Also signed by the Governor on Sunday were Cedillo’s SB 143 Brownfield Clean-Up and SB 126 which expands eligibility for charitable organizations affiliated with a school district to conduct bingo games. SB 143 extends the January 2010 repeal date of the California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act to January 2017. Cedillo drafted many of the provisions in the original 2004 act which has been instrumental in cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties in the San Gabriel Valleyand around the state. Cedillo has had 26 bills signed by Schwarzenegger in total on issues ranging from criminal sentencing enhancements, youth discharge planning, community clinic funding, and veterans supportive housing.
"Whether it is housing, public safety, transportation, or the delivery of health and human services when the state partners with local officials and agencies we gain a better understanding of the issues and produce better results," said Cedillo. "I am grateful for the work we were able to accomplish with our local partners this year on issues that impact the daily lives of Los Angelinos and all Californians."
