As a conservative and a longtime community activist, I have fought against the passage of legislation that is bad for Californians. Unfortunately, I have not always been successful as I am outnumbered in the Legislature as a member of the minority party. Democrats outnumber Republicans by two to one in committees where proposed legislative measures are up for consideration. Despite me and my conservative colleagues' best efforts, the following laws took effect on January 1:

· Senate Bill 48 (Leno-D): Public schools must now include positive lessons on the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community and their contributions, as well as Native Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders and people with disabilities.

· Assembly Bill 130 (Cedillo-D): The first half of the California Dream Act goes into effect, qualifying undocumented students attending California's public institutions of higher education for privately funded financial aid.

· Assembly Bill 144 (Portantino-D): It is now a misdemeanor to carry an exposed and unloaded handgun while in any public place.

· Assembly Bill 183 (Ma-D): Alcohol joins the list of items banned from purchase at self-checkout stands (which also includes cigarettes and spray paint).

· Senate Bill 746 (Lieu-D): Tanning beds are now barred to anyone under 18, even with parental permission.

· Senate Bill 929 (Evans-D): The California Vehicle Code now requires children up to 8 years old and under four-foot-nine to use a child safety seat while riding in a car. An increase from the previous requirement of six years of age.

On a brighter note, my colleague Senator Bob Huff of Diamond Bar passed a measure to help students with epilepsy:

· Senate Bill 161 (Huff-R): California-trained non-medical school employees can now provide emergency assistance to students with epilepsy experiencing a seizure.