It may be hard to believe that 2014 has come to a close, but it’s time to say goodbye to the year that brought us a historic drought, the ice bucket challenge and unrest over ebola, and hello to some new laws on Jan. 1, 2015.
Beach water quality testing
Beach water quality testing may become more streamlined in 2015 under a new law designed to allow newer, quicker methods for water quality testing to be accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Designed to detect high levels of bacteria in waterways, new methods will be enacted in 2015 that could help close the gap between conducting tests and ensuring public safety.
According to wording in the new amendment, the law will “reduc[e] the period of time the public is at risk while waiting for contamination to be confirmed.”
Ballot initiative reform
Following the rollercoaster battle over Measure R in Malibu in 2014, and according to a new law set to take effect in January, future state ballot initiatives may have a slightly easier time getting off the ground.
That’s because certain regulations for ballot initiatives in the State of California are set to be loosened, including an extension in the number of days parties are granted to collect signatures, which is set to increase from 150 to 180.
The Secretary of State will also “be required to give voters one-stop access to a clear explanation of each measure and information about the individuals and groups behind each measure,” according to the new law, meaning that donor lists will be kept up to date and made publicly available.
Native American Day
Californians will be adding a new celebration to the 2015 calendar with the addition of Native American Day on the fourth Friday in September.
Malibu is mentioned by name in the wording of the new observance, which states that “To this day, several iconic regions in California, from Lake Tahoe to Malibu, are named after native origin.”
“As the original peoples of our nation and state, Native Americans have provided extensive historical contributions to the State of California,” reads the text of the bill, which goes on to add, “The resiliency of Native American peoples is a profound statement of their strength.”
Explicit photo protections
The digital age of 2014 sometimes meant disaster as well as triumph, especially for victims of the unexpected distribution of sexually explicit photos, often called “revenge porn.”
In January 2015, victims will have a clearer legal path for restitution, with a clear definition of the offense now being extended to include “selfies,” and options such as a restraining order and the use of a pseudonym during court proceedings.
Plastic bag ban
Malibu was ahead of the curve on the plastic bag ban that’s set to come into effect for supermarkets and drug stores throughout the rest of California as of July 1.
Since 2008, Malibu has not allowed single-use plastic bags, and the practice is set to be phased out in July 2015, with stores encouraged to switch to more sustainable alternatives.
In 2016, convenience stores and liquor stores throughout California will also be forced to comply with the new regulations on plastic bags.