Dear Neighbor,

I’m excited to share an update on the work we’re advancing this year, including the bills I’m authoring and the progress we’re making on priorities that matter most to our district. As Chair of the Latino Caucus, I’m also proud to highlight our newly unveiled 2026 legislative package focused on supporting our communities.

It’s also been an honor to recognize incredible leaders from across our district. I invite you to learn more about them, including our recent Women’s History Month honorees and our James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awardee Lian Cheun, Executive Director of Khmer Girls in Action. Looking ahead, May is AANHPI Heritage Month. If you know an inspiring leader in our community who deserves to be recognized for their service, I encourage you to submit a nomination.

And for our students, with summer around the corner, there are great scholarship opportunities available, be sure to check them out!

Updates on my 2026 Legislation

• SHINE Water Act (SB 1291): strengthens transparency and accountability for mutual water companies, supporting safe, reliable, and affordable water for our communities. Status: Passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee (6-0). Watch my remarks to learn more on how I’m advocating for clean water  (SB 1291) and read the full press release.
• Long Beach PCH Speed Safety Act (SB 1279): would include a portion of the Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach in the state’s speed camera pilot program to help reduce speed-related injuries and fatalities in our communities. Status: Passed the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee (7-2). Watch my remarks to learn about how this bill will improve safety on PCH.
• Shining a Light on Corporate Tax Breaks to Protect Public Dollars (SB 1349): will require a review of California’s major corporate tax credits and exemptions to provide information on how these tax expenditures are impacting state revenues and core programs. Status: Passed Senate Revenue & Taxation Committee (4-1). Watch my remarks to learn how I’m advocating for taxpayer dollars to benefit working Californians, not profitable corporations via SB 1349.
• Preventing Deceptive AI Health Ads (SB 1146): will require advertisements for health products or services generated using artificial intelligence (AI) to disclose the use of AI, helping ensure people are not mislead by advertisements for unproven and potentially unsafe products. Status: Passed Senate Judiciary (12-0). Watch my remarks to learn about how we can prevent deceptive AI Health Ads via SB 1146.
• Delivering Support for CalFresh Families During Federal Shutdowns (SB 1077): will ensure the Department of Social Services can provide timely information about federal shutdowns to CalFresh recipients and require the state to develop the capacity to issue state-funded benefits if a federal shutdown pauses CalFresh. Status: Passed Senate Human Services Committee (5-0). Watch my remarks on how we can prepare California for federal shutdowns impacting CalFresh via SB 1077.
• Protecting Refinery Workers’ Safety (SB 966): helps protect refinery workers and surrounding communities by requiring employers to allow worker participation in critical process safety management activities, reducing the risk of dangerous incidents. Status: Passed the Senate Labor Committee (4-1). Watch my remarks on strengthening safety protections for refinery workers via SB 966.
• Protecting People with Disabilities (SB 1052): will provide a pathway for people with disabilities to have “backup” authorized representatives who are ready to step in during an emergency and help navigate regional center services. Status: Passed Senate Human Services Committee (4-0). Watch my remarks to learn how SB 1052 will help families prepare for emergencies in a time of increased immigration enforcement, hear from community members, and read the full press release.
• Outdoors for All (SB 1268): codifies the Outdoors for All initiative to ensure our state continues making progress on our outdoor equity goals and that outdoor spaces are welcoming and accessible for all residents. Status: Passed Senate Natural Resources Committee (5-0). Watch my remarks to learn how SB 1268 will improve access to the outdoors for all Californians and read the full press release with support from grassroots organizations.

For more information about my 2026 bills, visit https://sd33.senate.ca.gov/legislation. 

Congratulations Lian Cheun, Executive Director for Khmer Girls in Action!

I was proud to recognize James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awardee Lian Cheun, Executive Director for Khmer Girls in Action on the Senate Floor! Lian came to California as a refugee and has been a community activist in Long Beach for decades. Her work with Khmer Girls in Action gives young people the tools to become engaged civic leaders, influence policy, and shape the future of their city. Congratulations to Lian on this well-deserved recognition! 

Senator Lena Gonzalez and Lian Cheun, Executive Director for Khmer Girls in Action on the Senate Floor.

California Latino Caucus 2026 Legislative Priorities

As Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I was proud to unveil alongside our caucus Members our 2026 legislative package, featuring 15 priority bills. The package takes a strong stance against harmful federal actions impacting Latino, immigrant communities and families across California—advancing policy solutions to expand healthcare access, strengthen public safety, protect food security, increase education opportunities, and support working families. Read the press release and access the list of priority bills here. 

Senator Lena Gonzalez speaks at CA Latino Caucus Press Conference unveiling 2026 legislative priorities. 

ICYMI: Women’s History Month Celebration

In March, I was proud to honor some of the incredible women who make a difference every day in Senate District 33 at our Women’s History Month celebration. It was an inspiring gathering of community members and leaders; all coming together to uplift and recognize the contributions of women across our district. To learn more about this year’s outstanding honorees, I encourage you to visit our website.

Senator Lena Gonzalez and event co-hosts Mayor Cassandra Chase (Lakewood) and Long Beach City Attorney Dawn McIntosh present the 2026 Senate District 33 Women’s History Month honorees.

Call for Nominations: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI), and I am so excited to honor the rich history, culture, and incredible contributions of the AANHPI community right here in Senate District 33! In May, I will be spotlighting outstanding AANHPI individuals who are making a real difference through leadership, service, and advocacy in our district. Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Click here to submit your nominations by Thursday, April 30 at 11:59 PM.

Student Financial Aid Resources

Visit our resource corner for information on the California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship, Women in CA Leadership Foundation’s Minerva Scholarship, and other student aid.

As always, if you need any other information or assistance, don't hesitate to get in touch with my office at (562) 256-7921 or send us a message here. 

Sincerely, 

Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District