Yurok Gaming Compact Signed by Governor
Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Jim Wood’s AB 1977, which ratifies a recent agreement between the Governor and the Yurok Tribe, was signed by the Governor.
More people will be able to access mental health care with AB 1863
Sacramento – This weekend, Governor Brown signed AB 1863, a bill authored by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) that will enable rural health clinics (RHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to hire qualified licensed marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and allow for them to become billable providers under Medi-Cal.
Governor signs bill that can help improve rural access to broadband services
SACRAMENTO – On Friday Assemblymember Jim Wood’s (D-Healdsburg) legislation to improve access to broadband technology, AB 1549, was signed by the Governor.
Rural School Districts Will Get Fair Share of Federal After-School Program Funding
Sacramento – Today the Governor signed the “Rural After-School Program Funding” bill, authored by Assemblymember Jim Wood. AB 2615 will ensure rural school districts get their fair share of federal after-school program funding.
Broadband Map Act Moves to the Senate Floor
SACRAMENTO, – Today Assemblymember Jim Wood’s “Broadband Map Act” was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, marking a landmark victory.
Assemblyman Wood said, “This is a huge step in the right direction for the North Coast we are now two steps away from a paramount shift in broadband infrastructure. Reliable connectivity is too important of an issue to settle for the status quo”
Small Farmers Bill Moves to the Senate Floor
AB 2516, the “cottage farmer bill” was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today and is now one vote away from the Governor’s desk. AB 2516 would create a new “cottage” cultivator license for anyone growing 2,500 ft. or less outdoors or 500 ft. or less indoors.
Asm. Wood’s Rural Healthcare Package Clears Major Hurdle
Today two bills aimed at bringing improving healthcare in rural California, were passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee and are now one step away from being approved by the legislature.
AB 2024 would provide a special exemption to north coast hospitals allowing them to recruit and directly hire physicians and specialists. That practice is currently banned due to fears that hospital management will inappropriately influence medical decisions if doctors are employed directly by the hospital. This means that doctors have to open and manage their own practice and contract independently to work at hospitals. Unfortunately that model makes it nearly impossible to recruit doctors to rural communities and in part has led to the desperate shortage of doctors on the North Coast. By allowing hospitals to directly recruit and hire doctors, the doctors can earn a guaranteed salary, and not have to worry about the extra burdens of operating an independent practice.
Cannabis Excise Tax Offers Renewed Funding for Rural Landowners
SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Jim Wood’s (D-Healdsburg) proposed cannabis excise tax AB 2243 passed the Senate Governance and Finance Committee today. The bill moves next to the Senate Appropriations Committee before finally reaching the Senate Floor.
“Right before the vote on the Assembly Floor we made some great amendments that will help our rural communities, I feel really good about our chances moving forward," said Wood.