California lawmakers kick off special session to “Trump-proof” state laws

Golden State legislators convened Monday to enact laws to protect California’s values from what Gov. Gavin Newsom characterizes as federal overreach expected under the incoming Trump administration. Legislators will expedite laws to stop federal interference on LGBTQ issues, abortion, and immigration, Newsom said in a statement announcing the session last month. Leaders are planning to do everything to protect and support the freedoms of Californians who are under attack, the governor said.

How will the session work? Legislators in the special session will hold committee meetings and get input from the public prior to expediting legislation to the governor’s desk before Jan. 20, according to a session fact sheet. Newsom proposed allocating $25 million to fund expected court battles over federal actions under Trump’s second administration that Newsom believes will be unconstitutional. California filed over 100 lawsuits with varying success against Trump during his first term, according to CNN.

Attorney General Rob Bonta unveiled two sponsored bills on Monday that state legislators proposed to cement abortion access in the state. California will stay a haven for those seeking abortion no matter who’s in the Oval Office, Bonta said in a release. The proposed Attorney General Enforcement of the Reproductive Privacy Act would let the state prosecute for monetary damages if a local government hinders the operations of an abortion facility. The other proposed measure, the Medication Abortion Access Bill, would guarantee access to abortion drugs in the state and legally protect companies and individuals transporting or distributing abortion medication within the state.

Is California the only state pushing through emergency measures before Trump takes office? Michigan’s state legislators also pushed to enact measures supporting abortion and the LGBTQ agenda ahead of the upcoming power change. Democratic state Rep. Rachel Hood introduced a bill to modify the state’s sex education curriculum to include resources on how and where to get abortions. The proposed bill would also require students to be taught about all FDA-approved birth control and to acquaint students with the concepts of sexual orientation and various types of non-traditional sexual relationships, such as same-sex relationships.

Dig deeper: Read my report on Los Angeles’ recent push to become a sanctuary city ahead of Trump’s return to the White House.