Let it be known that on Aug. 20, 2018, surfing became California’s official state sport.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation Monday that enshrines surfing in the state’s code. The bill notes that surfing quickly became a California icon after being imported from Hawaii. Malibu, Trestles, Mavericks, Rincon, Steamer Lane and Huntington are California’s world-famous surf breaks. The Surfers’ Hall of Fame is in Huntington Beach. And the neoprene wetsuit, surfers’ unofficial uniform, was invented in the Bay Area.

When the Trump administration proposed opening California waters to drilling on an unprecedented scale, state leaders said they would do whatever it takes to keep new oil operations at bay.

But promises only go so far.

So some in Sacramento now are trying to lock those pledges into law — safeguarding the coast from offshore drilling no matter the whims of future administrations.

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — One of California’s largest agencies promised lawmakers it would make changes following a KPIX investigation. But, three years later, we discovered they broke that promise and are still putting millions at risk for identity theft.

Now, citing our investigation, lawmakers have launched an investigation of their own.

Dozens of animal lovers joined Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-South Bay) on Saturday to learn about the importance of adopting a pet and legislative issues regarding animal protection during the South Bay Pet Adoption Fair at Charles H. Wilson Park.

Hosted by the Carson Animal Shelter and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the fair gave attendees the opportunity to interact with several of the cats and dogs available for adoption.

Alaska has dog-mushing, Minnesota has hockey and Maryland has jousting. And now California is poised to have surfing as its official state sport.

Returning after a month-long break, the state Assembly passed a measure on Monday that would list surfing as the state sport.

A bipartisan delegation of California state legislators visited Israel the week of July 24 to explore bilateral collaboration opportunities. 

The group, chaired by Assemblyman Marc Levine, participated in dialogues and briefings organized by the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Project Interchange. 

Despite recent polling showing the state’s voters strongly opposed to new offshore oil drilling, few Southern California’s GOP Congress members are speaking out against it.

Four years ago, my business partners and I started a company to make better, eco-friendly beach towels. Today, Sand Cloud is a $10 million business that has doubled in size every year. Our company exists thanks to the strong community of beach goers who are passionate about protecting the coast. They cherish beaches like San Diego’s as special places to charge their batteries, have fun, and connect with the outdoors.

REGION — Two bills are making their way through the California Legislature in an attempt to protect the state’s coast from the Trump administration’s proposal to expand offshore drilling.

Through a draft proposal issued on Jan. 4, the U.S. Department of the Interior expressed its intention to open up more than 90 percent of the nation’s outer continental shelf to new offshore-oil and gas-drilling leases. The purpose would be to attain “energy dominance,” as stated in the proposal.