Hochman-backed labor trafficking law signed by Newsom
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced yesterday that anti-labor trafficking and wage theft legislation co-sponsored by his office and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom and will take effect January 1, 2027.
The law establishes clear jurisdictional authority for prosecutors to bring cases in the county where the victim resided, where the employment agreement was entered into, where any portion of the work was performed, or where the offending business operated — and closes a loophole by authorizing coordinated prosecutions in multi-jurisdiction cases.
“Labor traffickers don’t stop at county lines, and our work to stop their crimes doesn’t either,” Hochman said. “Under this new law, labor exploiters can be held fully accountable and can no longer hide behind multi-jurisdictional crimes.”
Hochman credited Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney and Legislative Advocate Tamar Tokat and Sonoma County Deputy District Attorney Katy Yount, who drafted the legislation.
The District Attorney’s Economic and Labor Justice Unit investigates and prosecutes wage theft, exploitative labor practices and human trafficking cases countywide, with protections extending to immigrant workers in the agriculture, service, construction and garment manufacturing industries.
Harabedian wildfire recovery package advances in Senate
Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Claremont) announced last week that all four bills in his wildfire recovery package have cleared their respective Senate committees.
The measures include AB 1642, requiring the Department of Toxic Substances Control to develop statewide standards for post-wildfire contamination testing before homes, schools and workplaces are reoccupied; AB 1842, creating a statewide mortgage forbearance framework for homeowners whose residences are rendered uninhabitable by a major disaster; AB 1847, extending mortgage protections for Los Angeles wildfire survivors still displaced by insurance delays and permitting backlogs; and AB 2038, extending post-disaster insurance nonrenewal moratoriums to two years for homes near a fire perimeter and three years for homeowners whose properties were destroyed.
“The Los Angeles fires of 2025 devastated the community. Families face extended recovery periods and are navigating rebuilding challenges, insurance delays, mortgage obligations, and lingering questions about whether their homes are safe to reoccupy. This bill package addresses these concerns and helps families on their path to rebuilding and recovering,” Harabedian said. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, recovery from a major wildfire does not end when the flames are extinguished.”
All four bills remain active in the legislative process.
Padilla, Schiff bring home bacon for Long Beach, Burbank airports
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-California) announced yesterday that Long Beach Airport and Hollywood Burbank Airport will receive a combined $37 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants, part of $107 million awarded to 16 California airports.
Long Beach Airport receives $27 million — the second-largest award in the state — to reconstruct 4,200 feet of Taxiway F pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. Hollywood Burbank Airport receives $10 million to remove an existing terminal and parking structure that the FAA identified as hazards, a safety enhancement project.
“Millions of travelers across the country and globe rely on California airports for safe and efficient travel, commerce, and tourism,” said Padilla. “These investments are critical to support and modernize critical airport infrastructure, enhance safety for passengers, and support our state’s economy.”
“From safety improvements to modernizing aging infrastructure, this federal funding will make critical upgrades at California’s airports. These major investments will create more jobs in communities across the Golden State, strengthen our transportation system, and boost our local economies,” said Schiff.
The Airport Improvement Program funding supports runway and taxiway rehabilitation, lighting and signage upgrades, noise mitigation and other infrastructure projects statewide.
Blumenfield launches $1.3 million mobile pet clinic in West Valley
Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield (D-Reseda, Tarzana, Winnetka, Woodland Hills, Canoga Park, West Hills) announced last week a new partnership with Michelson Found Animals to bring a dedicated mobile veterinary clinic to the West Valley, combining $800,000 in his office’s discretionary funding with a $500,000 matching philanthropic commitment.
The $1.3 million investment aims to reduce shelter intake by expanding access to affordable veterinary care and spay-and-neuter services at a time when city animal shelters are overcrowded.
“This investment provides immediate relief through expanded mobile clinics while also building lasting infrastructure with a dedicated CD3 mobile unit,” Blumenfield wrote in his newsletter to constituents. “This partnership will make a real difference for pets, families, and our entire community.”
Blumenfield credited Dr. Gary Michelson, founder and co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies, along with partner organizations CAMP, Animal Balance and CATS at the Studios.
The first clinic will be held July 31 at Winnetka Recreation Center, with details on scheduling pet services to be announced.
