SACRAMENTO, CA — California State Senator Dave Cortese today announced the introduction of a Senate Bill 870 (SB 870) that would prohibit the sale of tabletop fire pits that don’t adhere to top fire-safety regulations following a growing number of severe fires that have resulted in serious burn injuries, and in some cases, deaths:

Senate Bill 729, authored by Senator Caroline Menjivar, which requires state regulated large employer health insurance to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including IVF, goes into effect for contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

El Proyecto de Ley del Senado SB 729 , presentado por la Senadora Caroline Menjivar, que exige que los seguros médicos para grandes empleadores regulados por el estado cubran el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infertilidad, incluida la fertilización in vitro (FIV), entra en vigor para los contratos emitidos o renovados a partir del 1° de enero de 2026.

On Tuesday, Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) was appointed Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations by Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara).

SANTA ROSA—With the urgent need for more firefighters across California, Senator Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) has secured the final $1 million needed to finish construction of a state-of-the-art firefighter training tower for Santa Rosa Junior College’s (SRJC) Fire Academy, one of the largest in the region.

EUREKA, CA—Senator McGuire’s 10th annual Humboldt Holiday Food Drive made history yesterday by rallying the community for its biggest day of giving yet, delivering a monumental day of generosity for Food for People, Humboldt County’s food bank. The record-breaking event brought in 23.5 tons of food along with a WHOPPING $63,000 in financial donations, all headed directly to support hungry families across Humboldt County.

Senator Thomas J. Umberg welcomed residents from across Senate District 34 to the annual Community Holiday Party & Toy Drive at the district office this week. The event brought neighbors together to celebrate the season, highlight local services and collect more than hundreds of toys for families in need.

Ten local nonprofit organizations were recognized last week by Senator Sabrina Cervantes during the 31st Senate District’s Nonprofit of the Year Celebration held at the Stewart Boathouse in Fairmount Park. Power Speaks Louder, recognized earlier this year in the State Capitol as the District’s 2025 Nonprofit of the Year, joined the event to celebrate alongside fellow honorees.

SONOMA COUNTY—Alongside elementary students, teachers, and neighbors, Senator Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) announced yesterday that $1.2 million in state funding will help complete a long-planned modernization project at West Side School, including a new state-of-the-art library, new classrooms, a modern HVAC system, and two new playgrounds.
 

Lawsuit Seeks to Block California’s New “No Secret Police Act” Requiring Visible Identification for Law Enforcement