Office of Legislative Affairs - "The Friday Wrap-Up"

As the legislature returns from Spring Recess next week, activity in Sacramento is expected to accelerate quickly, with both policy committees and budget subcommittees already well underway and poised to move into a more intensive phase. In the weeks leading up to recess, hearings laid important groundwork on major issues, including health and human services, homelessness, and emerging technologies, while also surfacing growing concerns about the fiscal and administrative pressures facing counties.

Budget negotiations are now beginning to take clearer shape ahead of the May Revision, with early hearings signaling significant tension around funding adequacy, particularly as federal policy changes intersect with state proposals. Testimony to date has consistently highlighted a central theme, that counties are increasingly serving as the primary implementation arm for new state and federal requirements, often without commensurate resources. This dynamic is particularly evident in health and human services, where changes tied to H.R. 1 and proposed IHSS adjustments are expected to increase workload, create enrollment instability, and expose counties to new fiscal risk.

The post-recess period will mark a critical inflection point in the legislative cycle. High-level proposals will begin to translate into concrete policy decisions, and counties and local governments will need to engage actively to shape outcomes on funding, implementation responsibilities, and program design.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee Hearing: Social Services, Health Care Services, & Aging

The March 25 joint budget subcommittee hearing provided a clear and increasingly urgent picture of how federal changes under H.R. 1, combined with the governor’s IHSS proposals, are expected to impact county-administered safety net programs, an issue with direct and disproportionate implications for counties like Orange County.

At a high level, the hearing was framed around the growing senior population and the compounding effects of federal policy changes on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and IHSS. California is approaching a demographic inflection point, with older adults projected to reach roughly 9 million by 2040, placing sustained pressure on health and human services systems. The agenda itself reinforced this focus, centering on both federal impacts and a series of state IHSS proposals that would restructure cost responsibilities and program design.

From an Orange County perspective, the most consequential theme throughout the hearing was the shift of fiscal and administrative burden onto counties. Testimony from state departments and county representatives consistently underscored that H.R. 1 introduces significant new eligibility requirements, work mandates, and reporting obligations that will be implemented locally. The Department of Health Care Services estimated that these changes could result in hundreds of thousands of Medi-Cal coverage losses in the near term, growing to over one million Californians in later years, while also requiring counties to manage more frequent eligibility redeterminations and increased administrative workload.

This translates into a dual challenge – rising demand for services alongside reduced enrollment stability and higher administrative complexity. County systems, particularly social services agencies, will be responsible for implementing semiannual eligibility checks, verifying work requirements, and conducting outreach to prevent avoidable coverage loss. Notably, the administration acknowledged that the governor’s budget does not yet include sufficient funding for county welfare departments to carry out these responsibilities, raising immediate concerns about unfunded mandates and operational strain.

The IHSS proposals discussed during the hearing further intensify these concerns. The governor’s proposed changes, including cost shifts tied to assessed hours, elimination of certain supports like the Back-Up Provider System, and potential loss of residual coverage, were repeatedly flagged as creating new fiscal exposure for counties.

For Orange County, where IHSS demand continues to grow alongside an aging population, these changes could force difficult tradeoffs within the broader health and human services system. CSAC, the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA), and SEIU all warned that counties may be required to redirect funding away from other critical programs, including behavioral health and housing services, to absorb IHSS cost increases, directly conflicting with the original purpose of the 2019 financing structure.

Another key theme was the intersection of aging, homelessness, and housing instability. Testimony highlighted that older adults are now the fastest-growing segment of the unhoused population and are increasingly reliant on county-administered programs like Home Safe and housing advocacy services. This trend is particularly salient in Orange County, where housing costs and service demand are already high, suggesting that any reduction in federal or state support could exacerbate local homelessness pressures among seniors.

Finally, the hearing reinforced the broader structural concern that counties are serving as the primary implementation arm for both state and federal policy changes without commensurate resources. CWDA testimony emphasized the need for significant new investments in county staffing and administration to prevent a “combined hunger and healthcare crisis,” highlighting that counties will be on the front lines of mitigating benefit loss and ensuring continuity of care.

In sum, the hearing underscored a convergence of risks – increased administrative workload, potential coverage losses among residents, rising demand for aging and housing services, and significant fiscal exposure tied to IHSS restructuring. Absent additional state funding or policy adjustments, these changes are likely to place sustained pressure on the County’s safety net programs and require strategic decisions about resource allocation, service prioritization, and advocacy moving forward.

Background

• March 25 - Joint Sub 2 and Sub 1 Agenda: on DSS, DHCS and CDA

Senate Transportation Committee Informational Hearing on Autonomous Vehicles

The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on March 24 on autonomous vehicles (AVs), providing an overview of the current state of the technology and raising key questions about how to ensure safe and equitable deployment across California. The hearing, chaired by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), brought together industry representatives, safety advocates, labor, first responders, and state regulators to discuss both the promise and risks of AV expansion.

The hearing highlighted both the potential long-term benefits of AV technology and the immediate operational and public safety challenges that local jurisdictions will need to navigate as deployment expands beyond early pilot regions.

The first panel, focused on industry and safety perspectives, underscored a central tension in the AV space. Industry representatives emphasized that human behavior remains the leading cause of crashes and argued that AV technology has the potential to significantly reduce collisions and improve roadway safety over time. However, this view was sharply contrasted by testimony from safety experts and advocates, who raised concerns about the reliability of current systems and the gap between how the technology is marketed and how it performs in practice. Panelists highlighted issues such as “phantom braking,” limitations in object detection, including failure to recognize school buses, and the continued reliance on remote human operators, sometimes located outside the United States, raising concerns about oversight and accountability. Personal testimony from a crash survivor further reinforced the real-world consequences of these gaps, emphasizing the need for stronger safeguards and transparency.

The second panel, focused on public safety and workforce impacts, raised issues that are particularly relevant for transportation and emergency response systems. First responders described multiple incidents where AVs became immobilized during emergencies or obstructed access for police and fire personnel. These challenges are especially significant for a county like Orange, where high traffic volumes, complex roadway networks, and wildfire risk make rapid emergency response critical. Panelists also raised concerns about the reliability of current mitigation tools, such as company-operated hotlines, and called for stronger mechanisms, such as a public safety override, to allow first responders to directly manage AVs in emergency situations. At the same time, law enforcement representatives acknowledged potential benefits, including the use of AV-related technologies like drones to enhance response capabilities, but emphasized that public safety must remain the top priority as deployment continues.

Labor representatives and safety advocates also pointed to broader concerns around aggressive or unpredictable AV behavior, impacts on transportation-related jobs, and the adequacy of current regulatory approaches, particularly those that rely heavily on manufacturer-provided safety data. These issues could have downstream implications for Orange County’s workforce and goods movement sectors, particularly as AV technology expands into freight and delivery.

The final panel, consisting of state regulatory agencies, provided an overview of California’s current framework, which divides authority between the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The DMV oversees testing and deployment, while the CPUC regulates commercial passenger services such as robotaxis. State officials noted ongoing rulemaking efforts, including new regulations for heavy-duty AVs and requirements that companies comply with law enforcement direction, support emergency responders, and implement geofencing where necessary. The DMV also reported that dozens of manufacturers currently hold testing permits, with a smaller number authorized for driverless deployment.

Importantly, the hearing also raised questions about the role of local governments in AV oversight. Senator Cortese specifically asked whether there is a rationale for incorporating local rulemaking authority alongside the state’s existing framework. While state regulators did not provide a definitive answer, the discussion signals a potential opening for counties to advocate for a more formal role, particularly in areas such as emergency response coordination, land use considerations, and local transportation planning.

Overall, the hearing reinforced that while AV technology continues to advance, the policy framework governing its deployment remains in development. The key takeaway is that AV expansion will require proactive engagement on issues such as public safety protocols, infrastructure readiness, data transparency, and coordination with state regulators. As deployment expands into more suburban and regionally complex environments, counties will play an increasingly important role in ensuring that the technology is implemented in a way that protects public safety while capturing potential mobility and economic benefits.

Hearing Materials

• 03/24/26 Agenda
• 03/24/26 Background
• 03/24/26 AVIA - Ariel Wolf

February Revenues

The Department of Finance (DOF) and State Controller released reports on February’s revenues as compared to the 2026-27 governor’s budget proposal.

Statewide Homelessness Funding Navigator

The California Interagency Council on Homelessness recently launched the Statewide Homelessness Funding Navigator, a tool mandated by SB 799 (Luz Rivas, 2024). This navigator is designed to simplify the increasingly complex and scattered landscape of homelessness funding, which originates from various state departments and federal sources.

The navigator offers a centralized platform for identifying and aligning available resources with local priorities, such as:

• Emergency shelter expansion
• Permanent supportive housing
• Behavioral health services
• Homelessness prevention efforts

Users can filter funding opportunities by eligible applicants, uses, and target populations. This functionality allows jurisdictions to quickly:

• Determine program accessibility.
• Identify funding overlaps or gaps.
• Better coordinate applications across their region.

The tool is expected to support a more intentional deployment of resources by making distinctions between funding opportunities more transparent. This is intended to strengthen capacity to match funding streams effectively to program design and service delivery needs.

While the navigator streamlines early identification and strategic planning, it is a starting point, not a substitute for program-level requirements. Orange County departments and partners must still meticulously review administering agency guidance to ensure eligibility and compliance, especially for programs with complex statutory mandates.

Overall, the navigator may enhance the County's ability to adopt a more coordinated and data-informed approach to homelessness funding by supporting efforts to braid resources, maximizing competitiveness for state and federal dollars, and aligning investments with the County's comprehensive homelessness response strategy.

Upcoming Hearings

Agendas are typically posted on the committee websites in the Assembly and Senate a few days prior to the hearings. To view hearings after they take place, you may access them in the Assembly or Senate media archives where they are generally available within a few hours of committee adjournment.

Monday, April 06, 2026, 2:30 p.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health

State Capitol, Room 127

California's Response to HR 1: Defending Health Care Affordability and Access – Part 3

Financing California's Health Care Safety Net Under HR 1

4260 Department of Health Care Services

4140 Department of Health Care Access and Information

Overview of the Medi-Cal budget, estimate changes, budget change proposals, and trailer bills

Proposition 56 investments: provider rates support

Managed Care Organization Tax and Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program

State investments to protect access to reproductive health services and gender-affirming care

Monday, April 06, 2026, 3:00 p.m.

Assembly Joint Hearing Select Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

State Capitol, Room 447

Informational Hearing: An Overview of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Tuesday, April 07, 2026, 9:30 a.m.

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education

State Capitol, Room 112

6120 California State Library

Wednesday, April 08, 2026, 9:30 a.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation

State Capitol, Room 447

Prop. 4 Wildfire and Forest Resilience

Prop. 4 Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions

3540 Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

3480 Department of Conservation

3600 Department of Fish and Wildlife

3885 Delta Stewardship Council

3720 California Coastal Commission

Wednesday, April 08, 2026, 1:00 p.m.

Assembly Joint Hearing Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services and Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance

State Capitol, Room 444

Early Childhood Education

State of Universal Preschool Oversight

Transitional Kindergarten Implementation Oversight and Proposals

5180 Department of Social Services

6100 California Department of Education

Thursday, April 09, 2026, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy

1021 O Street, Room 2200

0540 Natural Resources Agency

0650 Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation

3900 California Air Resources Board

8660 California Public Utilities Commission

Thursday, April 09, 2026, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services

1021 O Street, Room 1200

4260 Department of Health Care Services

Medi-Cal Benefits

California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)

Medi-Cal - Home and Community-Based Services

Medi-Cal - Other Administration, Fiscal Intermediary

Family Health Programs

4265 Department of Public Health

Center for Health Statistics and Informatics

Center for Healthy Communities

Center for Family Health

Center for Health Care Quality

4140 Department of Health Care Access and Information

4150 Department of Managed Health Care

Thursday, April 09, 2026, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government

State Capitol, Room 113

0855 Gambling Control Commission

1045 Cannabis Control Appeals Panel

1115 Department of Cannabis Control

2100 Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

8570 Department of Food and Agriculture

Thursday, April 09, 2026, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation

State Capitol, Room 112

0552 Office of the Inspector General

5225 Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Grant Opportunities

Below is a list of the latest grant opportunities released by the state. All opportunities for local jurisdictions may be found here.

Application deadline: 5/22/26 23:59

Title: FY25-26 Next Generation Warning System Grant Program – CFO

State Agency / Department: Governor's Office of Emergency Services

Match Funding? No

Estimated Total Funding: $953,958

Funding Method: Reimbursement(s)

Application deadline: 5/12/26 11:59

Title: State-Local Partner Mentorship

State Agency / Department: CA Arts Council

Match Funding? No

Estimated Total Funding: Total funding available will be determined based on passage of the state budget and Council allocation priorities.

Funding Method: Advance(s)

Governor’s Press Releases

Below is a list of the governor’s press releases beginning March 25.

March 31: Governor Newsom proclaims Farmworkers Day

March 31: Governor Newsom’s border strategy intercepts 54 million lethal fentanyl pills since 2021

March 31: As Trump rolls back protections, Governor Newsom signs first-of-its-kind executive order to strengthen AI protections and responsible use

March 30: Governor Newsom proclaims Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day 2026

March 27: Governor Newsom announces appointments 3.27.26

• Madeline Drake, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat at the California Natural Resources Agency.
• Julie Clowes, of Pasadena, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director and Southern California Regional Advisor at the Office of Small Business Advocate.
• Janice Cheung-Powell, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Building Standards Commission.
• Olivia Mae Asuncion, of Oakland, has been appointed to the California Building Standards Commission.
• Rhys Williams, of Orangevale, has been appointed to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
• Jay Bradshaw, of Oakland, has been reappointed to the California Transportation Commission, where he has served since 2022.
• Michele Wyatt, of Lake Forest, has been appointed to the California Earthquake Authority Advisory Panel.

March 27: Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments 3.27.2026

• Ernesto “Ernie” Castillo, of Alameda County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Alameda County Superior Court.
• Hanni Fakhoury, of Contra Costa County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Contra Costa County Superior Court.
• Amanda Karl, of Alameda County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Contra Costa County Superior Court.
• Jennifer Feige, of Kern County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Kern County Superior Court.
• Ismael Rodriguez, of Tulare County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Kings County Superior Court.
• Sarvenaz Bahar, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
• Jessica Vazquez, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
• Cherisse Heidi Alcantara Cleofe, of Orange County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
• Daniel Walters, of Madera County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Madera County Superior Court.
• Shani Roark, of Sacramento County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Placer County Superior Court.
• John Balla, of San Bernardino County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Bernardino County Superior Court.
• Justine Cephus, of San Mateo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Francisco County Superior Court.
• David Silberman, of San Mateo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Mateo County Superior Court.
• Sydney Bennett, of San Luis Obispo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
• Brian Sottile, of Ventura County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Ventura County Superior Court.

March 27: Governor Newsom strengthens bans on insider betting by state officials, takes aim at corruption fueled by Trump

March 26: Governor Newsom signs legislation 3.26.26

March 26: Governor Newsom announces CHP crackdown: 12,600 arrests, 6,400 stolen cars recovered, 25 million deadly fentanyl doses seized in two years

March 25: Governor Newsom issues final warning to 15 communities violating state housing laws

March 25: Governor Newsom convenes leaders to confront crisis facing boys and men

March 25: Governor Newsom launches campaign to recruit young men, and all Californians, to serve communities and gain job skills

The House and Senate were on recess this week, while the White House was focused on the Supreme Court and ongoing conflicts abroad.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY

The President Revives Senate Homeland Security Funding Deal

After the House voted on March 27 to reject the Senate’s plan to end the shutdown affecting the non‑immigration enforcement agencies within the Department of Homeland Security and instead passed its own bill, negotiations appeared to be at a standstill until April 1.

On April 1, the President signaled a potential path forward, urging Congress to fund DHS’s immigration enforcement agencies for three years through a partisan reconciliation package that would bypass the Senate’s 60‑vote requirement, while also advancing the Democratic‑backed appropriations bill to fund DHS’s non‑immigration enforcement components. Shortly afterward, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a joint statement supporting this approach.

With the President supporting the tactic, which the House refused on March 27, it is likely the Speaker has the required support to pass the legislation though it may require some level of bipartisan support. The House may also need to cut short their two week recess and return to DC in order to pass the measure and send it to the President’s desk.

Appropriations Process Set to Formally Begin, Member Requests Submitted

While the House and Senate left DC for Easter Recess, currently slated to return on April 13, appropriators are working to formally begin the process of funding the federal government for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27). The President’s Budget Request, the formal start allowing appropriators to hold initial markups of the 12 appropriations bills, is set for release on April 3.

Rank and file Members of Congress were required to submit their requests for Community Project Funding, also known as earmarks, last week, and are slated to submit their preferred funding levels for individual programs and any other language requests to the Appropriations Committee throughout April. The Senate’s deadlines will fall after the House’s, but both California Senators have closed their earmark request forms.

Under a traditional schedule, markups on each of the 12 appropriations bills are expected take place from the end of April through May, with final bills expected to be ready for passage off the House floor by the end of June. The House bills are likely to be significantly more partisan, given Democratic support is not required to pass them, but will contain any earmarks approved by the committee. The Senate will consider legislation slightly behind the House, with compromise packages expected to emerge in late July. Congress will leave DC for the month of August, and return in September to ideally pass all 12 bills before the end of the fiscal year on September 30.

This schedule is rarely followed in practice, though additional pressure on Congress to act given they will not be in session during the month of October to allow them to campaign for the midterms has previously motivated some action, and is typically sufficient to avoid a government shutdown immediately before an election.

Congress Looks Towards the Remainder of the Year

A flurry of legislative activity in the last few weeks has failed to coalesce into significant action, as House and Senate Leaders look towards the remainder of the year. Given the midterm elections, Congress will likely complete the majority of its work for this year prior to the August recess, only returning to DC for the month of September, and then some session weeks in November and December.

Republican Leadership is increasingly committed to pursuing a second reconciliation package, the same legislative vehicle as HR 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which bypasses the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and allows Republicans to pass major policy priorities, with some limitations, on a partisan basis.

Additionally, Republicans in the House have been working towards consideration of the Senate amendment to their housing policy bill, HR 6644, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, alongside permitting and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reforms in HR 4776, the SPEED Act. They will also need to pass a series of major policy bills, including a National Defense Authorization Act, Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, Water Resources Development Act, and a Farm Bill. While certain provisions in these major policy bills can be covered on partisan basis by a reconciliation package, others cannot and will need to be considered separately.

On April 1, the President indicated his support for second reconciliation package as part of resolving the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, wrapping it into a deal approved by House and Senate Leaders. This could consume significant time on the calendar, and make it difficult for leadership to bring the other required measures before August or the end of the fiscal year.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY

President Signs Executive Order on Federal Election Procedures

On March 31, the President signed an Executive Order (EO) titled, Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections, which seeks to implement some of the Administration’s priorities related to election security and restrict mail-in voting.

The EO follows the Senate declining to advance S 1383, a modified Veteran’s bill that now includes the SAVE America Act, the President’s voter ID legislation requiring in-person voter registration with either a passport or birth certificate among other measures.

The EO directs the Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to engage in rulemaking to codify mail-in ballot requirements, communicate with State Secretaries of State in advance of the election, track and provide approved lists of mail-in/absentee voters, assign absentee voters a unique barcode for their ballots, and provide technical assistance to states with mail-in voting programs to ensure security.

The EO further directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Homeland Security and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to establish the infrastructure necessary to compile and transmit a state citizenship list to all the states in advance of a federal election. The Department of Homeland Security already maintains a database under the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which states can use to verify an individual’s eligibility to vote or receive other federal benefits.

Some of the EO’s provisions related to mail-in voting appear to go beyond current federal practice, while other provisions touch on responsibilities already addressed in existing federal law. States are already required to verify voter eligibility at the time of registration and, in some cases, may use DHS systems as part of that process. Questions may arise regarding the scope of executive authority to consolidate multiple federal data sources into a single citizenship list for distribution to states, as well as how such an effort would align with existing privacy protections, including the Privacy Act of 1974.

DOT Opens Safe Streets for All Notice of Funding Opportunity

On March 27, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced the release of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program, with close to a billion dollars in funding available this year. Applications are due by May 26, 2026.

SS4A was created in the 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and offers either Planning and Demonstration or Implementation grants that fund local initiates that prevent roadway fatalities. Across the four previous NOFOs, the program has awarded $3.9 billion in funding. Without renewal of its authorization in the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, it is unlikely the program will be able to post additional NOFOs, though a one-year extension on the IIJA is increasingly likely.

DOEd Announces Finalized Student Loan Repayment Plan, Ends Biden-Era SAVE Act

On March 27, the Department of Education (DOEd) announced the finalization of their plan to end the prior Administration’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Income Driven Repayment Plan (IDR). SAVE was officially terminated by Section 82001 of HR 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, along with all other previous IDR plans.

Borrowers will be given 90 days from July 1 to opt into another repayment plan, or begin consolidation or rehabilitation of their loans if they are currently in default. HR 1’s statutory changes are expected to significantly increase penalties for loan default and refer a larger number of cases to Treasury for collection. HR 1 also created two new IDR plans, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), and a new Tiered Standard Plan. Both are income and debt load contingent, but do not include the same forgiveness options provided for borrowers under SAVE.

Orange County Delegation Press Releases

• Alex Padilla – March 27, 2026: ICYMI: Padilla Underscores Immigrants’ Critical Role in Funding Social Security - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – March 27, 2026: Padilla Statement on DHS Funding Deal - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – March 26, 2026: Senate Advances Padilla, Cornyn Bill to Protect Americans From Russian Litigation - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – March 26, 2026: WATCH: Padilla Leads Charge to Successfully Block Another SAVE America Act Push - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – March 26, 2026: Senate Unanimously Passes Padilla Bill to Expand the Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Senator Alex Padilla
• Adam Schiff – March 27, 2026: NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Padilla Join Kaine, Gallego and Colleagues to Press Trump Administration about Decision to Ease Sanctions on Russia and Iran  
• Adam Schiff – March 27, 2026: STATEMENT: Sen. Schiff on Senate Vote to Fund DHS  
• Adam Schiff – March 27, 2026: NEWS: Sen. Schiff Joins Sens. Slotkin, Young, Curtis on Bipartisan Bill to Stop Insider Trading by Government Officials on Prediction Markets 
• Adam Schiff – March 26, 2026: WATCH: Sen. Schiff, Leader Schumer, January 6th Committee Members, Congressional Leaders Gather to Honor Heroes Who Defended Capitol at the Site of Newly Installed Plaque  
• Adam Schiff – March 26, 2026: NEWS: Sens. Schiff and Merkley Demand Extension of Ethics Guardrails on Trump EPA Chemical Appointees, End to Conflicts of Interest 
• Adam Schiff – March 26, 2026: NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Blumenthal, Welch Demand Companies Implicated in Lewandowski Apparent Pay-To-Play Scheme to Preserve All Related Records
• Derek Tran – March 28, 2026: Representative Tran Rejects DHS Funding Plan that Fails to Reform ICE, Protect Public Safety | Representative Derek Tran

Legislation Introduced by the Orange County Delegation

Friday 04/03/2026

Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant gets final go-ahead to run through 2030 -- The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thursday renewed Diablo Canyon’s license to operate, ensuring that California’s last remaining nuclear facility will continue to run through at least 2030. Blanca Begert in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/3/26

Microplastics and pharmaceuticals named a priority threat in drinking water by health, environment officials -- Federal health and environmental officials announced a $144-million effort to study microplastics in human bodies and drinking water. For the first time, the EPA designated microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority contaminants. Susanne Rust and Ian James in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/3/26

Downtown L.A.’s cratering real estate market is changing — rich renters are buying their buildings -- Downtown L.A. office buildings are plummeting in value as vacancy rates soar, creating opportunities for major tenants to purchase their properties instead of renting. Roger Vincent in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/3/26

Thursday 04/02/2026

Newsom orders government to consider AI harm in contract rules -- In an executive order, California’s governor pushed back on Trump administration moves against a California AI startup. At the same time, the governor moved to add further guardrails for the technology. Khari Johnson Calmatters -- 4/2/26

L.A. County student homelessness has surged, study finds. Here’s what the numbers show -- The number of students experiencing homelessness in the county rose by 28% — from 47,689 in the 2022-23 school year to 61,249 in 2023-24 — according to a pair of studies from the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/2/26

Special statute seeks to exempt Midway Rising from state environmental law -- If signed into law, bill would curtail opponents' ability to sue to block the mega project proposed for San Diego's sports arena site on environmental grounds. Jennifer Van Grove in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 4/2/26

Wednesday 04/01/2026

California considering a first of its kind idea to boost factory-built housing -- To encourage housing developers to build more homes inside factories, which supporters say could result in more affordable housing, the state might get into the construction insurance business. Ben Christopher Calmatters -- 4/1/26

April 1 is supposed to be peak snow in California. Forget that this year -- A month of record-shattering heat thawed the snow and sent runoff coursing into streams and rivers, leaving only minimal water in the mountains as the state heads into dry season. Ian James in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/1/26

What you need to know about SFO delays expected under new FAA order -- San Francisco International Airport is expected to face major indefinite delays for arriving flights after a new Federal Aviation Administration order prohibited parallel landings. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 4/1/26

Tuesday 03/31/2026

What to Know About California’s Executive Order on A.I. -- California has been a leader in tech lawmaking, and was the first state to pass a law mandating safety and transparency from the biggest A.I. companies. Mr. Newsom, a Democrat, signed the order partly as a message to President Trump, who has been trying to bat down state attempts to regulate A.I. Cecilia Kang in the New York Times -- 3/31/26

See How Hollywood’s Job Market Is Collapsing -- Studios are making fewer movies and shows than they did just a few years ago. The ones they do make are increasingly being shot outside the U.S. Nate Rattner and Ben Fritz in the Wall Street Journal -- 3/31/26

Monday 03/30/2026

Changes in the world of free food could boost hunger in Orange County -- Rules from last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act are about to shrink federal help. And AI is making less edible food waste. The result could be a squeeze for people in need. Andre Mouchard in the Orange County Register -- 3/30/26

Newsom issues ‘final warning’ to cities over housing law violations — only one is in the Bay Area -- Of the 15 cities Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened Wednesday with legal action over housing law violations, only one is in the Bay Area: Half Moon Bay. Ryan Macasero in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/30/26

Weekend 03/28-03/29/2026

As oil prices rise, airfares are surging and some airlines might not survive -- United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said this week that his company could face an $11-billion loss if oil prices remain at their current levels. Meanwhile, United’s airfare could increase by 20%, he said. Caroline Petrow-Cohen in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/28/26

America’s capital of ‘super-commuters’ is in California. Now many are hitting a crisis point -- Now grappling with round-trip commutes that run 180 miles and four-plus hours, the 28-year-old auditor is one of San Joaquin County’s roughly 30,000 “super-commuters” who trek at least 90 minutes into work. But it’s not just all the time in traffic that has him second-guessing his life decisions. Connor Letourneau in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/28/26

How rising gas prices are changing the math on owning an EV in California -- Given the higher gas prices, how does the California EV-vs.-gas math shake out now? On average, we found that EV drivers have significantly widened their savings advantage, to $166 a month. Jessica Roy in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/29/26