Dear Neighbor,

After an incredible week of intense debate in the Capitol chambers, final presentations in committee hearings, engaging meetings with community members, and a flurry of inquiries from the press on my bills’ developments, we’ve now reached the end of California’s 2023 legislative session.

I have a complete wrap-up with the latest updates, just for you!

Further, I am excited to share that I will be at Climate Week NYC this week along with a delegation from California, including Governor Newsom.

Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind, bringing together some 400 events and activities. Each year, business leaders, political change makers, local decision makers and community representatives of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world, gather to champion and discuss climate action. Please continue reading to learn more!

Bills that Passed the California Legislature this  session.

Authored and Joint-Authored by Senator Gonzalez:

AB 126 Clean Transportation Program Reauthorization and Revitalization: Revitalizes and extends California’s existing Clean Transportation Program by prioritizing equity and aligning the program with California’s current environmental and emissions targets. These efforts will bring $2.125 billion for zero-emission vehicle & infrastructure deployment!

SB 616 Paid Sick Days for All Working Californians: Increases the amount paid sick leave days an employer is required to provide an employee from three to five.

SB 633 California DREAM Loan Program Expansion: Provides public higher education institutions with the ability to repurpose unused DREAM Loan funds to award supplemental grants to California Dream Act grant-eligible students.

SB 695 The California State Highway Transparency Act: Informs better state and local transportation planning by requiring the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to collect, and make available to the public, historical data detailing roadway expansions of the state highway system (SHS) for the past five years.

SB 498 Preventing the Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to Minors: Enhances the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s ability to enforce compliance with current law relating to the sale of alcohol to a minor. Specifically, SB 498 will adjust administrative penalties as well as the fines for selling alcohol to a minor in order to increase their effectiveness and to strengthen their deterrent effect.

SB 435 The Latino & Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act: Requires California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Department of Social Services to collect anonymous demographic data of Latinos and Indigenous Californians and requires CDPH to collect and tabulate data on important health-related outcomes to help address health inequities.

SB 394 Master Plan for Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Schools: Protects our schools and children by requiring the California Energy Commission to develop a Master Plan for Healthy, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Schools.

SB 253 The Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act: Requires the strongest corporate greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements in the nation.

SB 261 Climate Related Financial Risk Disclosures: Requires large corporations to disclose their climate related financial risk.

Co-Authored

AB 421 Referendum Reform: strengthens our referendum system in a way that honors the promise of direct democracy for Californians.

AB 414 Digital Equity: creates the Digital Equity Bill of Rights, which establishes the principle of the state to ensure digital equity for all its residents.

SB 348 School Meals: requires schools to provide students with adequate time to eat school meals,  and implements changes necessary to implement the free universal school meal program.

SB 465 Refugees: requires the California Department of Social Services and county human assistance agencies, to post a list of resources available to refugees on their websites.

SB 525 Healthcare Workers: establishes a health care employee minimum wage with various phase-in schedules for California’s frontline healthcare workers.

SB 857 LGBTQ+ Students: requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene an advisory task force to identify the statewide needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning pupils and report its findings to the Legislature.

Check it Out In the News!

Climate Week NYC

I am excited to share that this week I will be at Climate Week NYC along with a delegation from California, including Governor Newsom. This event takes place in coordination with the United Nations General Assembly and is an opportunity for nonprofits, business leaders, and elected officials to work and learn together on fighting climate change and protecting our frontline communities.

Among the many California climate accomplishments, during Climate Week NYC, we will celebrate the passage of two landmark bills in the Climate Corporate Accountability Package, SB 253 and SB 261, which I was proud to joint author. California continues to lead the way on climate action, including being the largest global economy to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, with the passage of my SJR 2. I look forward to continuing to elevate the discussion on climate change, share more about California’s stewardship toward a more sustainable and clean future, and learn from stakeholders from around the globe on responsible climate action!

And now we wait! All bills that passed the Legislature are now headed to the Governor’s desk to be vetoed or signed into law. Remember to follow us on social media to get the fastest updates from my office. In the next few weeks, I hope to have more great news to share about the bills that get signed into law from my 2023 Legislative bill package. Also, please stay tuned to learn more about all the exciting conversations that we are having at Climate Week NYC!

As always, if you need any other information or assistance, please contact my office at (562) 256-7921 or send us a message here.

Sincerely,
Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District