Sacramento, Calif. (September 1, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield), Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government, announced a series of major taxpayer protections secured through the 2026 state budget aimed at cutting waste, strengthening oversight of state spending, protecting consumers and making government more accountable for how it spends taxpayer dollars.

I am pleased to announce that several of my bills are on their way to the governor for signature. These bills represent issues and concerns of my constituents and those of everyday Californians.

State Sen. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, D-Tracy, have secured $2 million in state funding for the planned School of Medicine at University of the Pacific in Stockton.
The funding was included AB 113, budget legislation approved today by the state Legislature. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the budget bill in the coming days.

SACRAMENTO, CA — California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San José) joined the California Legislature in passing a comprehensive package of budget and trailer bills: 14 trailer bills and two budget junior bills that make technical changes to the June budget, as well as investments agreed to by leadership. 

Delta Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) and Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) applauded the Legislature’s approval today of $158.2 million to protect the Delta and the State Water Project.
The state Legislature approved $90.2 million to protect the Delta and fortify its aging levees, along with up to $68 million to safeguard the State Water Project’s (SWP) California Aqueduct and canals, which are being undermined by the over-drafting of groundwater. The budget funding was secured by the California Legislative Delta Caucus.

SB 1330 will enhance legal protections for utility employees engaged in essential infrastructure work

SACRAMENTO – Last night, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 876, authored by Senate Insurance Committee Chair Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) and California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. The bill comprehensively reforms the insurance claims process in California, - cutting red tape, improving payouts, and ending delays and runarounds by insurance companies.

Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that seven bills from his 2026 legislative package have passed the Legislature and are headed to the Governor’s desk.

SACRAMENTO – Last night, the California State Legislature advanced Senate Bills 886 and 887, both authored by State Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). This data center legislative package contain some of the strongest rate payer protections and environmental protections from data center costs in the country.

[Sacramento, CA] Today, California lawmakers passed Adam's Law (SB 1119), a landmark bill that, if signed into law, will be the most comprehensive digital protections for children interacting with chatbots in the United States. In an overwhelming show of bipartisan support, the bill now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk after passing the Legislature Monday night.