California lawmakers on Tuesday moved forward with a proposal that would create a new state law to make it easier for people to sue federal immigration officers.The State Senate’s Judiciary Committee passed the “No Kings Act” in a 11-2 party line vote. The proposal was written by State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who filed the measure last fall. In a press conference Tuesday, Wiener pointed to ICE’s killing of Renee Good in Minnesota as part of the need to make law changes at the state level to hold officers accountable without action in Congress. “We’ve had enough of this terror campaign by ICE we need the rule of law and we need accountability,” Wiener said. George Retes, a U.S. Citizen and military veteran was the lead witness in support of the measure at Tuesday’s hearing. He said he was pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed and dragged out of his car before being detained by ICE for 72 hours last year. He said officers did not allow him to call an attorney or family member and did not allow him to shower despite his burning skin. “I want everyone listening to understand this: I did everything right. I identified myself as a U.S. Citizen. I did not resist, I did not impede or assault any agent,” Retes told the committee. “What happened to me yesterday was not a misunderstanding. It was a violation of the Constitution by the people who swore to uphold it.” Law enforcement groups, including the Peace Officers Research Association of California and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, oppose the measure, claiming the state already has laws on the books to hold individual federal officers accountable. They also worry the way the bill is written could dramatically increase lawsuits filed against local and state police officers. “Our solution is to just amend California employees out of the bill or alternatively limit the scope of the bill to immigration enforcement and election interference,” said David Mastagni with the Peace Officers Research Association of California. “We’re not opposed to the intent of the bill; we’re just concerned about the future and the unintended consequences for California employees.” Lawmakers on the panel urged both sides to work together.Republicans argued the new measure was unnecessary and could lower morale among law enforcement. “No one is saying accountability doesn’t matter, but accountability only works if it’s fair,” said State Sen. Suzette Valladares, R-Santa Clarita. Tuesday’s hearing was the first of several hearings the bill is expected to have this year.The bill heads next to the State Senate’s Appropriations Committee. KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

California lawmakers on Tuesday moved forward with a proposal that would create a new state law to make it easier for people to sue federal immigration officers.

The State Senate’s Judiciary Committee passed the “No Kings Act” in a 11-2 party line vote.

The proposal was written by State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who filed the measure last fall. In a press conference Tuesday, Wiener pointed to ICE’s killing of Renee Good in Minnesota as part of the need to make law changes at the state level to hold officers accountable without action in Congress.

“We’ve had enough of this terror campaign by ICE we need the rule of law and we need accountability,” Wiener said.

George Retes, a U.S. Citizen and military veteran was the lead witness in support of the measure at Tuesday’s hearing. He said he was pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed and dragged out of his car before being detained by ICE for 72 hours last year. He said officers did not allow him to call an attorney or family member and did not allow him to shower despite his burning skin.

“I want everyone listening to understand this: I did everything right. I identified myself as a U.S. Citizen. I did not resist, I did not impede or assault any agent,” Retes told the committee. “What happened to me yesterday was not a misunderstanding. It was a violation of the Constitution by the people who swore to uphold it.”

Law enforcement groups, including the Peace Officers Research Association of California and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, oppose the measure, claiming the state already has laws on the books to hold individual federal officers accountable. They also worry the way the bill is written could dramatically increase lawsuits filed against local and state police officers.

“Our solution is to just amend California employees out of the bill or alternatively limit the scope of the bill to immigration enforcement and election interference,” said David Mastagni with the Peace Officers Research Association of California. “We’re not opposed to the intent of the bill; we’re just concerned about the future and the unintended consequences for California employees.”

Lawmakers on the panel urged both sides to work together.

Republicans argued the new measure was unnecessary and could lower morale among law enforcement.

“No one is saying accountability doesn’t matter, but accountability only works if it’s fair,” said State Sen. Suzette Valladares, R-Santa Clarita.

Tuesday’s hearing was the first of several hearings the bill is expected to have this year.

The bill heads next to the State Senate’s Appropriations Committee.

KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.