Dear Neighbor,

I am grateful to have spent the summer recess attending community events across the district and hearing directly about the issues and priorities that matter most to you. Now that we are back in Sacramento, I will carry those conversations with me as we head into the final weeks of the legislative session and continue advocating for Senate District 33 and all Californians.
 

Senator Lena Gonzalez on the Senate Floor as the Legislature reconvenes for the final weeks of the 2026 legislative session.

Back to Session: Final Stretch of the Legislative Year

The Legislature is back in session! August 31^st is the deadline to pass legislation this year — meaning that for the next month, my colleagues and I will be focused on reviewing bills, negotiating amendments, and voting on measures that address the issues important to our state. Visit the Senate website for more information on upcoming events, including upcoming fiscal hearings, floor session and legislative deadlines.

One important upcoming deadline is August 14^th, the final day for the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees to pass any bills with fiscal impacts. Many of the important bills I am authoring this year will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee that day, so follow along for updates on key legislation to stop dangerous immigration enforcement tactics, give refinery workers a stronger voice in workplace safety decisions, expand access to outdoor recreation, make our streets safer, and more.

I remain committed to advocating for the priorities of Senate District 33, including investments in our communities, support for working families, and policies that strengthen our region. View a full list with updates and more information on my 2026 bills here.
 

Senator Lena Gonzalez, Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, delivers remarks at a press conference in Sacramento.

Demanding Detention Center Accountability: No More Secrecy

As Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I was proud to stand with community advocates and my legislative colleagues at a recent press conference, to demand greater transparency and accountability at immigration detention centers, where troubling reports of human rights violations and inhumane conditions continue to emerge. This federal administration has detained more than 650 children, including over 100 age five or younger. Conditions have become so horrible—and transparency so lacking — that people have resorted to throwing notes over barbed-wire fences to expose the abuse they are enduring.

Through several pieces of legislation and ongoing advocacy efforts, we are working to strengthen state oversight and provide California with additional tools to hold immigration detention facility operators accountable when they fail to protect the health, safety, and dignity of people in their custody.

Bills we are advocating for include:

• My Senate Bill (SB) 423 which will amend the California Public Records Act to require, upon request, the release of 911 calls and related records concerning calls for emergency services at privately-run detention facilities, helping to uncover civil rights violations, abuse, and dangerous conditions.
• SB 995, The Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would require large facilities like privately operated detention facilities, to comply with California’s health and safety laws.
• SB 942, the Civil Detainees’ Bill of Rights which establishes clear standards for humane treatment, medical care, safety, and accountability. The bill guarantees basic rights, including access to clean drinking water, safe and healthful food, necessary medical care, and freedom from unnecessary or excessive restraint, isolation, or abuse. It also gives the California Attorney General authority to take civil action when these rights are violated.

Watch the full press conference or read our press release to learn more.

And check out the latest coverage on these efforts in the news: 

• Telemundo 33: Presentan propuestas que buscan aumentar la supervisión en centros de detención de inmigración
• ACOM: ‘Profiteering off of Human Suffering’ — California Lawmakers Move To Rein in Private Detention Facilities
• POLITICO: California tests its power over immigrant detention

E-Bike Rules and Safety Resources

I have heard concerns from community members about the proper and safe use of e-bikes. Public safety is a top priority, and we all have a role in helping keep our streets, sidewalks, and outdoor spaces safe for bicyclists, pedestrians, and everyone who uses them. If you have questions about e-bike laws and regulations, my office has compiled state and local rules in one convenient place, along with safety training and educational resources and contacts for reporting concerns. Visit our e-bike safety resource page for more information.

Thank You for Joining! Bell Gardens Community Cleanup
 

Volunteers at the Bell Gardens Cleanup July 2026 

 

Thank you to all the volunteers and community members who joined Team Gonzalez for our Bell Gardens community cleanup and helped make a meaningful difference along the I-710/Florence Avenue corridor. Your time, energy, and commitment to keeping our neighborhoods clean and safe helped create a more welcoming space for everyone who travels through and lives in the community. I am grateful for your partnership and continued dedication to building a cleaner, community for all.

Call for Nominations: Latino Heritage Month

As we prepare to celebrate Latino Heritage Month this September, I invite you to help us recognize outstanding individuals whose leadership, service, and contributions are making a meaningful difference across Senate District 33. Know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them today! The nomination deadline is Thursday, August 20 at 11:59 p.m. Submit your nomination, here. 

Stay Safe! Extreme Heat Preparedness

With multiple extreme heat advisories impacting our region in recent weeks, it is important to take precautions and stay informed as temperatures continue to rise. Prolonged heat can pose serious health risks, especially for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and individuals with underlying health conditions. Please stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day and sign up for emergency alerts on the CA Alerts page. For updated heat advisories and safety resources, please visit the Ready LA County Excessive Heat webpage. Cooling centers are available throughout the region for those seeking relief from high temperatures, and locations can be found in the County’s Cooling Center Guide or on the California Department of Public Health Heat Ready CA Resource page.

Community Partnership Brings Outdoor Learning to Local Students

I am proud to see continued progress toward expanding access to our region’s natural spaces and ensuring that all Californians have opportunities to connect with the outdoors. This end of session I’m continuing the work to advance my bill SB 1268: Outdoors for All, which will codify California’s commitment to advancing outdoor equity, expanding access to recreation in underserved communities, and preserving parks and open spaces for generations to come.

I am also a strong advocate for coastal access for all Californians. That’s why I am so pleased to see the Port of Long Beach, in partnership with the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust host field trips to the Los Cerritos Wetlands for our youth! During summer field trips to the Los Cerritos Wetlands, students learn about the importance of protecting wetland ecosystems, participate in restoration activities, and discover the critical role these habitats play in supporting biodiversity and a healthy coastal environment. By connecting young people with nature today, we are helping inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and ensuring these treasured open spaces remain accessible for years to come.

Upcoming Events, Resources & More

Summer isn’t over yet! Make sure to check out some great events in SD33 like movie nights and concerts in the park while they last! Check our resource corner for some fun events near you as well as information on food programs, LA 28 small business opportunities and more.

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
33^rd State Senate District