Summary of 2023 Annual Report 

“This fund is an example of the strength of our union and is of great importance to CSLEA members who suddenly find themselves in need of legal assistance for criminal or civil matters arising from the course and scope of employment. The CSLEA Legal Defense Fund is part of the ‘career insurance’ CSLEA often speaks of.  No law enforcement, public safety or consumer protection professional should be without it.”-Alan Barcelona, CSLEA President SACRAMENTO – Each year, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) advises members of the status of the CSLEA Legal Defense Fund. Below you will find a link to the Summary Annual Report (SAR) for the year ending December 31, 2023. The SAR shows the value of the plan’s assets, , after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $2,532,626 as of December 31, 2023, compared to $2,155,102 as of January 1, 2023.  For those not familiar, the CSLEA LDF Plan is designed to provide legal assistance to CSLEA members for criminal and civil matters arising out of the course and scope of their employment.  LDF may also be used in cases of major importance that impact the CSLEA membership and plan participants.  Experienced LDF Panel Attorneys from reputable law firms throughout the state provide defense in civil and criminal prosecutions of members. Only those attorneys who have a demonstrated track-record in successfully defending public safety members become part of the CSLEA LDF Panel. These firms have agreed to make their attorneys available to CSLEA members at any time of day or night and are therefore, willing to respond to incidents such as officer-involved shootings which often occur in the middle of the night. The plan also funds affirmative relief and cases of major importance such as POBR violations and pension attacks. “Legal defense cases can take a very long time to resolve, sometimes years,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. “This fund is necessary so that our members can have the best legal defense possible for as long as it is needed. The LDF has been used to defend CSLEA members in criminal and civil proceedings. Given the nature of our duties, it’s so very important to have access to this fund.” LDF can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-533-5448. 2023 Summary Annual Report for CSLEA Legal Defense Fund

By Shane LaVigne, LaVigne Strategies

End of Session:

Governor Gavin Newsom faced a September 30th deadline to act on over 1,200 bills sent to him this year, providing a clearer view of his political philosophy as he enters his final two years in office. Newsom signed 1,017 bills into law and vetoed 189, giving him a veto rate of just under 16%, slightly above the decade-long average. His decisions reflected a pragmatic, fiscally cautious approach, likely influenced by the state’s economic uncertainties.

This year, Newsom’s veto messages were often centered around fiscal discipline, with a focus on avoiding additional strain on the state budget. With revenue projections still unclear, he favored legislation with limited financial impact. In this context, the rise in vetoes was understandable, given California’s budget constraints.

While the Governor’s choices were framed by economic realities, they may also signal a broader political strategy. As he nears the end of his term, Newsom’s decisions appear calculated to balance progressive ideals with responsible governance, positioning himself for future opportunities, potentially on the national stage.

The 2023-2024 legislative session itself was dynamic, with leadership shifts in both houses and a pressing $73 billion budget deficit, which led to the halting of any bills with significant fiscal implications. The session officially closed at midnight on August 31st, but not without some last-minute drama. Political maneuvering on both sides of the aisle meant that some bills never made it to a vote, dying on the floor. CSLEA benefitted from this flurry, as a few bills we opposed were among those caught up in the rush.

Despite these challenges, CSLEA saw great success over the past two years. We were able to block numerous bills that posed risks to public safety, policing standards, and K9 units. While stopping harmful legislation was a major focus, we also helped advance bills that will benefit our members and strengthen public safety across the state.

2023-2024 Legislative Overview

Below is an overview of CSLEA’s priority bills that we engaged in and helped to successfully stop during the 2-year session:

• AB 93 (Bryan D) Consensual Searches – Oppose
• AB 280 (Holden D) Segregated Confinement – Oppose
• AB 740 (Gabriel D) Drones – Oppose
• AB 742 (Jackson D) K9 Restrictions – Oppose
• AB 793 (Bonta D) Reverse Demands – Oppose
• AB 797 (Weber D) Police Review Boards – Oppose
• AB 807 (McCarty D) AG Review of All UOF Deaths – Oppose
• AB 1090 (Jones-Sawyer D) County Board of Supervisors Removing Sheriffs – Oppose
• AB 2441 (Kalra D) Narcotic Possession in Schools – Oppose
• AB 2872 (Calderon D) Department of Insurance – Oppose unless amended
• SB 50 (Bradford D) Limitations on Stops – Oppose
• SB 94 (Cortese D) Resentencing Special Circumstances – Oppose
• SB 377 (Skinner D) Off Roster Handguns – Oppose

Below is a summary of key bills that CSLEA supported and successfully passed during the legislative session:

• AB 33 (Bains D) Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force – Support
• AB 88 (Sanchez R) Criminal procedure: victims’ rights – Support
• AB 791 (Ramos D) Post conviction bail – Support
• SB 14 (Grove R) Serious felonies: human trafficking – Support
• SB 268 (Alvarado-Gil R) Crimes: serious and violent felonies – Support
• SB 1414 (Grove R) Solicitation of a Minor – Support