Representing the 35th District

Assemblymember Williams Introduces Bill that Supports Nationwide Movement Against Sugary Drinks to Fight Childhood Obesity Note to editors & Producers - Links to multimedia elements below SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) introduced a bill last week that would ban the sale of sugary sports drinks from middle and high school campuses throughout California. AB 1746 would amend existing education code that already bans the sale of sodas in schools. Sodas and other beverages high in sugar are among the most prominent factors contributing to our nation’s obesity epidemic. "This bill aims to set the example of making healthful…

Assemblymember Points to Internet site as Useful Educational Tool and Resource for Kick the Can campaign; Opportunities for Community Action! SACRAMENTO — After hearing the frustration of parents, teens, communities and health advocates throughout the state and across the nation about the runaway marketing of sugary drinks to youth, Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) is urging Californians to learn more about these beverages and be mindful of what we put in our bodies. In an effort to mobilize against the most prominent factor contributing to our nation’s obesity epidemic, Williams is supporting the national, Kick The Can campaign at www.kickthecan.info,…

Bill Supports Transparency in Contracting Library Services SACRAMENTO — On Saturday, October 8, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed a key piece of legislation authored by Assemblymember Das Williams (D- Santa Barbara) that could prevent the dismantling of free County library systems by requiring cities or library districts to reach a series of performance and financial benchmarks prior to employing a private contractor to run library services. Governor Brown's support for AB 438 comes following hard fought opposition in both the Assembly and Senate by lobbyists hired by Library Systems and Services LLC (LSSI), the country's top private library service provider.…

SACRAMENTO - As issues relating to consumer protection arose for state lawmakers during the first part of the legislative session, Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) sided with consumers 100 percent of the time. Williams, a first-term Assemblymember, had a perfect favorable rating on the Consumer Federation of California’s (CFC) 2011 Interim Consumer Scorecard for state lawmakers. The interim scorecard gives a snapshot of how lawmakers have cast votes on the floor or in committee on several key consumer protection bills prior to the end of the legislative session. "It is an honor to be seen as lawmakers known for standing…

SACRAMENTO — Three pieces of legislation being carried by first-term State Assemblymember Das Williams (D- Santa Barbara) are currently awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s signature after successfully navigating the legislative process in both the Assembly and Senate. Those bills, AB 412, AB 623 and AB 504 each stand to benefit entities within the Assemblymember’s district, which currently includes part of Oxnard, Ventura and much of Santa Barbara County. AB 412: This piece of district-specific legislation re-authorizes Santa Barbara County to collect an additional $5 penalty assessment on tickets issued for driving under the influence and other driving while intoxicated offenses to…