Sacramento, Calif. – On May 21, 2024, Majority Leader Gonzalez’s (D-Long Beach) Senate Bill 1182 the Climate Resilient Schools Act was approved by the Senate with a vote of 35-0. The Climate Resilient Schools Act aims to safeguard students and communities from the effects of climate change and severe weather by instructing the California Energy Commission to develop a comprehensive master plan to reduce climate risks and promote sustainability in schools. 

“Schools are essential community hubs that need to be ready to serve students and families in the face of climate change and severe weather, especially in low-income communities of color,” said Majority Leader Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). With SB 1182, The Climate Resilient Schools Act, we can make sure our schools are prepared to meet climate challenges while at the same time capitalizing on upcoming federal funds to create more sustainable schools. I am thankful to my Senate colleagues for supporting the bill today, and I urge my colleagues in the Assembly to also vote in support as it moves to the second house for consideration.”

“The Climate Resilient Schools Act will help ensure our public school campuses are prepared and resilient to the impacts of climate change while leveraging new federal funding for clean energy technologies that support healthy, cool classrooms and energy efficiency – it’s a win for students, schools and communities,” said Jonathan Klein, CEO, Co-founder, and California Parent, UndauntedK12. We celebrate today’s advancement of SB 1182 and thank California’s senators for seeing both the urgency and opportunity of SB 1182. We stand ready to work with the California State Assembly and Governor Newsom to secure the passage and implementation of this vital piece of legislation.”

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Majority Leader Gonzalez represents the 33rd Senate District, which encompasses the City of Long Beach and portions of South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles, including the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, and South Gate. In the Senate, she advocates for working families and champions various priorities, such as fighting for a clean environment, digital equity, LGBTQ+ and women's rights, and the economic prosperity of small businesses. Her landmark legislative achievements include bills enacted to end neighborhood oil drilling, provide broadband for all, and expand paid sick leave. Majority Leader Gonzalez also serves as Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. She lives in Long Beach with her family. To learn more about Majority Leader Gonzalez, visit her website at www.sen.ca.gov/gonzalez.

UndauntedK12 is a California-based national nonprofit organization with a mission to support America's K-12 public schools to make an equitable transition to zero carbon emissions while preparing youth to build a sustainable future in a rapidly changing climate.