While State Senator, Hannah-Beth Jackson authored numerous groundbreaking laws that inspired similar legislation in states throughout the nation. Below are some highlights.
Working on senior housing with Rona Barrett of The Golden Inn and Village
Protecting the Environment
Prohibited new offshore oil development in federal waters off the California coast
Authored legislation and secured $14 million over seven years to cap leaking abandoned oil wells
In response to the Refugio Oil Spill, wrote legislation to require annual inspections of oil pipelines and the Rapid Oil Spill Response Act to make oil spill response faster and more environmentally friendly
Created the first in the nation industry-funded drug and sharps take-back program
Secured $3.9 million for the Goleta Butterfly Reserve
Secured funding and facilitated the development of a commuter-timed train between Ventura and Santa Barbara to ease traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Defending Privacy
Required internet-connected devices to be equipped with security features
Wrote legislation to ensure data breaches are clearly and effectively communicated to affected Californians
Blocked efforts to weaken the nation’s strongest internet privacy protection law, the California Consumer Privacy Act and fought to create greater enforcement of privacy protections
Emergency Management
Served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management for eight years
Following the Thomas Fire and Montecito Debris Flow, required insurers to cover the costs incurred by mudflows caused by wildfires
Wrote legislation to reduce the risk of wildfires through responsible forest management practices to thin overgrown lands
Improved and expanded emergency notifications to ensure early and effective warnings
Expanded funding for home hardening improvements through the PACE program
Ensured counties address the diverse cultural, linguistic and other differences of residents in their emergency preparations
Aging Californians
Wrote legislation to establish California’s Master Plan for Aging
Authored legislation and secured funding for home improvements to protect older adults from dangerous falls
Gun Safety
Authored legislative efforts to require gun owners to report their lost or stolen firearm within five days to reduce illegal gun trafficking
In response to the Isla Vista Massacre, wrote legislation to ensure peace officers check the state’s gun database when conducting a welfare check
Women’s Equality
Wrote the strongest equal pay law for women in the country which is now the model for over 43 states writing their own fair pay laws
Established the first in the nation requirement for women’s representation on corporate boards
Expanded and improved California’s paid family leave program
In response to the #MeToo movement, authored significant legislation to prevent and respond to sexual harassment claims both on the job and in the courts
Jointly-authored the nation’s first affirmative consent standard (“Yes Means Yes”) for California’s college and university campuses
Authored legislation guaranteeing the protections of Title IX to ensure victim-centered processes for responding to sexual harassment and assault on college campuses
Ensured employment protections for survivors of domestic violence
Senator Jackson receiving an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in May,2023 from Cal State University at Channel Islands
Standing with Planned Parenthood in the fight to keep us in charge of our own bodies.
Working with California’s First Partner to assure equality for all Californians
Presiding over the California State Senate Chamber (2020)