LEGISLATION PAGE

This CSCR web page is dedicated to providing information regarding legislation which influences cardiovascular health. Donna Marchetti, RN, BSN is Legislative Chairperson for CSCR. She monitors legislation and communicates developments. This web page will be one of her forums.
Others are welcome to offer contributions to this page.

Go to the bottom of this page for links to the websites of our elected representatives. Click here if you wish to do that now.

Legislative Report for October 2007.
Donna Marchetti

On the California State Level:Senate Bill. No. 120
Introduced by Padilla and Migden
(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member DeSaulnier)
(Coauthors: Senators Alquist and Cedillo)       
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Coto, Hernandez, Mendoza, Saldana, and Solorio).
* Supported by CSCR

This bill would require each food facility, with certainexceptions, that meets specified criteria to provide nutritionalinformation that includes, per standard menu item, the total numberof calories, grams of saturated fat, grams of trans fat, number ofcarbohydrates and milligrams of sodium on standard menus. It wouldalso require the menu boards to include the total number of calories.
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 10/14/2007
LAST HIST. ACTION:  In Senate.  To unfinished business.  (Veto)        VETOED by GOVERNOR
TITLE:  An act to add Section 114094 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to food facilities.

Senate Concurrent Resolution No.39
Introduced by Torlakson. 

This measure would urge all Californians to enrich their livesthrough proper diet and exercise, and encourage Members of theLegislature to increase public awareness about the benefits ofexercise and physical fitness by hosting events in their districtsthat encourage physical fitness, and increase participation inactivities that promote physical and mental health and a nutritiousand well-balanced diet.
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE:  06/28/2007
LAST HIST. ACTION:  Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter    62, Statutes of 2007.
TITLE:  Relative to physical fitness.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No.54
Introduced by Salas. 

This measure would acknowledge the value of high-quality dailyphysical education programs for all youth, encourage localgovernments to support, and local educational agencies to provide,high-quality daily physical education experiences for all Californiachildren in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and proclaimMay 1 through 7, 2007, as "Physical Education and Sport Week" and May2007, as "Physical Fitness and Sport Month."              
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE:  06/20/2007
LAST HIST. ACTION:  Chaptered by Secretary of State-Res. Chapter 57, Statutes of  2007.
TITLE:  Relative to Physical Education and Sport Week and Physical Fitness and Sport Month.

MEASURE:  Assembly Bill No.74
Introduced by Dymally.

This bill would request that the Regents of the University ofCalifornia establish and administer an Institute for the Study of thePhenomenon of Obesity and Diabetes Experimental Research (PODER) atthe University of California, Irvine, in coordination with theCharles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and establish andadminister one or more clinics that are affiliated with the PODERInstitute to focus on individuals or groups who suffer from obesityand diabetes, as defined.   The bill would express the intent of the Legislature toappropriate funds in the Budget Act of 2007 in order to implement thebill.
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE:  05/31/2007
LAST HIST. ACTION:  In committee:  Set, second hearing.  Held under submission.
TITLE:  An act to add Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 104250) to Part 1 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health.

 In the News
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
To combat this epidemic of childhood obesity, the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, along with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), have joined together to form the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Alliance’s goal is to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity by 2010 by taking bold, innovative steps to help all children live longer and healthier lives.
Since the Alliance formed in May 2005, it has laid the groundwork for major change in schools through the Healthy Schools Program (launched with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), brokered a landmark agreement with the beverage and snack food industries to offer healthier food and drink options in schools, and partnered with Nickelodeon to create the Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge, a television show, web and community-level campaign that empowers kids to take charge of their own health. Learn about the Alliance for a Healthier Generation: www.HealthierGeneration.org
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AHA Advocacy Update:
10/17/2007- Statement by American Heart Association President Daniel W. Jones, M.D. in support of Senator Harkin’s Bill to Integrate Physical Education into No Child Left Behind
With an increasing number of children at risk for cardiovascular diseases as a result of our nation’s childhood obesity epidemic, we must teach children the A-B-C’s of quality physical education.   That’s why we’re pleased Senator Tom Harkin has introduced the FIT Kids Act, legislation that would amend No Child Left Behind and require that all schools, districts and states include the quantity and quality of PE in the “report cards” currently sent to parents. It would also ensure that children get the support they need to be active and make healthy food choices.
10/5/2007 - American Heart Association Endorses Trans Fat Labeling Legislation
The American Heart Association supports a new bill introduced by Congressman Steve Israel, that would direct the Commissioner of FDA to require food manufacturers to change their labeling to better inform consumers about the trans fat content of their products.  Current FDA food labeling regulations allow food manufacturers to label foods with less than 0.5 grams of trans fat as having a trans fat content of “zero.”  This new legislation will require that manufacturers use an asterisk or other notation to indicate that foods may actually contain some trans fat per serving -- even as much as 0.49 grams -- rather than zero.  With this information, consumers will know that a food product may still contain trans fats.  Even small amounts of this substance can add up quickly and increase their risk of heart disease.
10/3/2007 - Statement of M. Cass Wheeler CEO, American Heart Association, on U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Hearing on The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
The American Heart Association strongly believes that the subcommittee hearing will further educate members of Congress as to why the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act is a common-sense approach to a public health threat. We cannot continue to allow the tobacco industry to oversee its own products.  That makes about as much sense as the three little pigs giving the big bad wolf the keys to their homes.  With more than 400 Americans dying each day from cardiovascular diseases caused by smoking, we cannot waste another minute in giving the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the tobacco industry.
09/19/2007 - Legislation Establishing National AED/CPR Awareness Week Introduced in Congress
The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross have joined to applaud federal legislation that would designate the first week of June as “National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Week.”  The bill, introduced today by U.S. Representatives John R. “Randy” Kuhl, Jr. (R-NY), and Dan Boren (D-OK) would further educate Americans about the necessity of CPR and AED training and use to reduce death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest.
9/18/2007 Kind, Wamp, Inslee Join American Heart Association, Educators, Kids in Calling for Physical Education in No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
WASHINGTON, DC – As committee work on No Child Left Behind reauthorization approaches, U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Zach Wamp (R-TN), and Jay Inslee (D-WA) today joined the American Heart Association, educators, and kids to urge the Education and Labor Committee to make physical education a priority in the bill by holding schools accountable for moving toward a national goal for physical education. 

This concludes the Legislative Report for October 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Marchetti, RN
dmarchetti@alamedahospital.org

TOP

Legislative Report
CSCR Board Meeting, May 17, 2007
Donna Marchetti

On The National Level

S 329 and HR 552, the bills to establish pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation as a specific Medicare benefit category, have additional cosponsors.   The recent information is as follows:

Senate Bill 329 Want to read the bill? Click on this link. http://thomas.loc.gov/ Choose Mike Crapo in the drop down list of senators, then choose S. 329.
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [ID] (introduced 1/18/2007)  
22 Cosponsors
Cosponsors from California:
Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Latest Major Action: 1/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

House of Representatives Bill 552 Want to read the bill? Click on this link http://thomas.loc.gov/ Choose John Lewis in the drop down list of representatives, then choose H.R. 552
Sponsor: Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] (introduced 1/18/2007 )  
78 Cosponsors
Cosponsors from California:
Representative Lois Capps (CA-23)
Representative Mary Bono (CA-45)
Representative John Doolittle (CA-4)
Latest Major Action: 2/2/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

* A vehicle bill has been identified but will take another 6 weeks to 6 months for confirmation.

On the California State Level:

Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 54
Want to read the bill? Click the link that follows http://www.assembly.ca.gov/

INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Salas
MAY 2, 2007   
-Relative to Physical Education and Sport Week and Physical Fitness and Sport Month.   
-ACR 54, as introduced, Salas. Physical Education and Sport Week and Physical Fitness and Sport Month.    This measure would acknowledge the value of high quality daily physical education programs for all youth, encourage local governments to support, and local educational agencies to provide, high quality daily physical education experiences for all California children in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and proclaim May 1 through 7, 2007, as "Physical Education and Sport Week" and May 2007, as "Physical Fitness and Sport Month."  
Fiscal committee: no.
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE:   05/03/2007
LAST HIST. ACTION    :   From printer.

TITLE:   Relative to Physical Education and Sport Week and Physical Fitness and Sport Month.

Senate Bill 24 Go to http://www.sen.ca.gov/ Click Legislation Enter the bill number S. B. 24 Then make the appropriate choices.
AUTHOR(S): Torlakson.
TOPIC: Tobacco product environmental smoke: fee. The Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Law imposes a tax on every distributor of cigarettes and tobacco products at specified rates, including additional taxes imposed under the Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act of 1988 (Proposition 99), and the California Families and Children Act of 1998 (Proposition 10).
   This bill would, commencing January 1, 2008, impose an additional tax on the distribution of cigarettes at the rate of $0.095 for each cigarette distributed. This bill would require the revenues collected from these additional taxes to be deposited in the state General Fund, which shall be used, upon appropriation, for health related purposes, as determined by the Legislature.
   By imposing a new tax, this bill would result in a change in state taxes for the purpose of increasing revenues within the meaning of Section 3 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, and thus would require for passage the approval of 2/3 of the membership of each house of the Legislature.
   Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
LAST AMENDED DATE :   04/30/2007

TITLE:   An act to add Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 105435.10) to Part 5 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 6011 and 6012 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to cigarettes and tobacco smoke.

Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 18
AUTHOR(S): Torlakson, Corbett, Cox, Ducheny, Dutton, Kuehl, Maldonado, Romero, Vincent, and Wyland (Coauthors: Assembly Members Benoit, Gaines, Garcia, Hayashi, Horton, Jeffries, Karnette, Laird, Levine, Lieu, Ma, Mendoza, and Silva).
TOPIC:   California Fitness Month.
SCR 18, Torlakson. California Fitness Month.
   This measure would proclaim the month of May 2007, as California Fitness Month, and would encourage all Californians to enrich their lives through proper diet and exercise.
LAST AMENDED DATE:   03/01/07

Inactive                
Non-Urgency                 
Non-Appropriations                
Majority Vote Required                
Non-State-Mandated Local Program                
Non-Fiscal                
Non-Tax Levy

LAST HIST. ACT. DATE:   04/24/2007
LAST HIST. ACTION:   Chaptered by Secretary of State.   Res. Chapter             25,             Statutes of 2007.
COMM. LOCATION: ASM RULES
COMM. ACTION DATE:   04/12/2007
COMM. ACTION:Be adopted, to Consent Calendar.
COMM. VOTE SUMMARY : Ayes: 10   Noes: 00   PASS

TITLE:   Relative to California Fitness Month.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 39
AUTHOR(S):   Torlakson.
TOPIC:   Physical fitness.
SCR 39, as introduced, Torlakson. Physical fitness.
   This measure would urge all Californians to enrich their lives through proper diet and exercise, and memorialize Members of the Legislature to increase public awareness about the benefits of exercise and physical fitness by hosting events in their districts that encourage physical fitness, and increase participation inactivities that promote physical and mental health and well-being.   
Fiscal committee: no
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE:   04/12/2007
LAST HIST. ACTION :   Introduced.   To Com. on   RLS.

TITLE:   Relative to physical fitness.

AHA Advocacy News:

4/30/2007- American Heart Association Unveils Smoke-free Cities Policy to Protect Citizens from Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

The American Heart Association today announced that it will no longer hold conferences in cities without smoke-free workplace laws as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce cardiovascular diseases related to tobacco use. The Board of Directors approved the policy, which represents a significant change in the association's meeting and conference site selection process.

"The American Heart Association has long advocated for smoke-free workplace ordinances at the state and local levels," said Andrew Buroker, American Heart Association board chairman.  "We are equally committed to protecting the health of our staff and volunteers by providing smoke-free environments for Association-sponsored meetings and conferences.

4/25/2007- Statement of Raymond Gibbons, M.D., President, American Heart Association, on U.S. House of Representatives Passage of the Genetic Discrimination Act of 2007

The House of Representatives has taken a crucial step in protecting Americans from unwarranted discrimination stemming from genetic medical breakthroughs. Genetics is increasingly being integrated into routine medical practice, helping providers diagnose illnesses, predict the onset of disease, and choose the most effective treatments. We are entering the era of personalized medicine, where each individual's health care is shaped according to their genetic make-up.  However, the lack of protection against genetic discrimination allows for the possible misuse of genetic test results.  Many patients fear that undergoing genetic testing will cause them to lose their job or health insurance and avoid the process altogether.  As a result, individual patients do not receive the best possible care and scientific progress is slowed.  This legislation will assure patients that the technology will not be used for potential abuse.

Representatives Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Judy Biggert (R-IL) should be commended for their leadership in generating support in the House.  We call on the Senate to take immediate action and approve the bill in this congressional session.

4/24/2007 - Passion with a Purpose! Heart Disease and Stroke Survivors Call on Congress to Make Cardiovascular Disease a National Priority

With red dress paper dolls, notepads and fact sheets in hand, more than 600 heart disease and stroke survivors and volunteers from across the country today met with their representatives in Congress and delivered a personal plea: Help us, our loved ones and nearly 80 million Americans battling heart disease and stroke by making cardiovascular disease a national priority this legislative session.

As part of the American Heart Association's Congressional Heart and Stroke Lobby Day, these advocates - children, families, caregivers, medical professionals and researchers - urged their Senators and Representatives to support public policies that will help reduce death and disability from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, the nation's No. 1 killer. They are members of the association's nationwide You're the Cure grassroots network of more than 190,000 volunteers dedicated to finding cures for heart disease and stroke.

Hundreds of advocates also participated in a HEART for Women Act Rally on the National Mall to drum up support for the bill which targets heart disease in women. The rally also highlighted the association's Red Dress Paper Doll grassroots campaign designed to urge lawmakers to take action on the HEART for Women Act.  Nearly 20,000 women across the country have signed red dress paper dolls to demonstrate their support of the bill - enough dolls to wrap around the Capitol building about five times. The dolls were presented to members of Congress during Lobby Day. 

4/16/2007 - Passion with a Purpose! Hundreds of Heart Disease and Stroke Survivors to Call on Congress to Support Cardiovascular Disease Programs

A 16-year-old congenital heart disease survivor, a heart attack survivor who advocates for tobacco control measures, a researcher who is studying new stroke treatments.  They are among the more than 600 American Heart Association advocates and heart disease and stroke survivors from around the country who will gather in Washington, D.C. on April 23-24 to urge Congress to make a strong commitment to fight cardiovascular diseases, the nation's No. 1 killer.  These volunteers - including many youth advocates - will join AHA President Raymond Gibbons, M.D., AHA CEO M. Cass Wheeler and AHA board chairman Andrew Buroker for the AHA's Congressional Heart and Stroke Lobby Day.

Advocates will urge their senators and representatives to significantly boost funding for heart disease and stroke research and prevention, co-sponsor the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2007, and help improve women's heart health by supporting the HEART for Women Act, legislation aimed at improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women .   A HEART for Women Act rally is scheduled for April 24 at noon on the National Mall.   Members of Congress have been invited to participate.  Representative Charles "Chip" Pickering (R-MS), co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, will also be among the guest speakers for Lobby Day activities. 

  3/28/2007 - Statement of Larry Goldstein, M.D., Chair, American Stroke Association Stroke Council, on House Passage of the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2007 (STOP Stroke Act)

Yesterday's House vote will help us close existing gaps in the awareness and treatment of a deadly disease that afflicts about 700,000 Americans each year and threatens quality of life.   The STOP Stroke Act will play a major role in the fight against stroke, our nation's No. 3 killer and a leading cause of long-term disability. By educating the public and the healthcare community about the need to treat stroke as a medical emergency, and providing states with resources to implement and monitor coordinated stroke systems of care, the STOP Stroke Act will help ensure that all stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatments and therapies.   In recognizing the severity of this disease and the need to improve care, the House has taken a bold step in addressing this issue head-on.  Now it's up to the Senate to act quickly and pass the STOP Stroke Act during this session.

3/13/2007 - American Heart Association Applauds House Subcommittee Vote for Bill to Improve Stroke Care

The American Heart Association and its division, the American Stroke Association, today praised the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health for passing the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2007 (STOP Stroke Act, H.R. 477). Introduced by Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Charles "Chip" Pickering (R-MS), the STOP Stroke Act would help advance the fight against stroke, our nation's No. 3 killer and a leading cause of disability.

"Stroke is a major medical emergency and threatens the lives and quality of life of so many Americans every day.  We are truly excited that the subcommittee took such quick action on the STOP Stroke Act in the 110 th Congress," said Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., chair of the American Stroke Association Stroke Advisory Committee. "The STOP Stroke Act will help save lives by enhancing awareness about stroke symptoms and ensuring that those who suffer a stroke are treated as rapidly as possible with the most appropriate therapy."

The STOP Stroke Act would help educate the public about the need to treat stroke as a medical emergency and establish coordinated statewide systems of care so that all stroke patients have access to the latest and most effective treatments and therapies. Similar legislation is expected to be re-introduced in the Senate this spring. 

Physical Activity and Transportation Policy  

Overweight, obesity and physical inactivity are major risk factors for heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases.

Obesity rates have doubled in the past two decades - almost two-thirds of the U.S. population is overweight (BMI over 25) and over 30 percent are obese

Our transportation systems and the "built environment" directly affect Americans' access to, and the convenience of, physical activity. The Congress crafts transportation policies every six to seven years, based on transportation needs throughout the country. The 108th Congress is currently considering the Transportation Equity Act - Twenty-First Century (TEA-21), which includes funding for all types of transportation projects, including highway construction, rail service, mass transit, etc.  Also included in federal transportation policy are programs for bicycling and walking (trails, sidewalks, etc.), which increase opportunities for physical activity.  Other programs included in TEA-21 have also made a profound impact on physical activity, including the Safe Routes to School program, which designs local transportation systems to provide safe ways for kids to walk and bike to school. 

The American Heart Association strongly supports transportation policies that promote safe, convenient and accessible ways for Americans to be physically active.

This concludes the Legislative Report for May 2007.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Marchetti, RN

dmarchetti at alamedahospital.org

State of California elected representatives.

U.S. Sentate

Barbara Boxer http://boxer.senate.gov/
Dianne Feinstein http://feinstein.senate.gov/

For the list of U.S. House of Representative members from California click the following link: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml#ca

To go to the California State Assembly website click the following link: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/defaulttext.asp

To go to the California State Senate website click the following link: http://www.senate.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/senators.htp