In addition to significantly expanding California’s scientific research capacity, the bill includes first-in-the-nation requirements to lower health costs by requiring discounts on drugs discovered with public research funding, and allowing the state to recoup some funds from successful discoveries.

SB 989 and 1016 ensure that people who need mental health treatment are directed by courts to receive services 
SACRAMENTO – The Senate on Wednesday passed legislation by Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, designed to increase access to court-ordered mental health treatment for people who need it. 

SB 1259 directs the state to develop guidelines for estimating the costs of refinery closures, and refiners to deliver reports on what’s expected 
SACRAMENTO – The Senate on Wednesday passed legislation by Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to give communities and state agencies a realistic picture of how refinery sites will be cleaned up, if and when they close. 

New law takes effect immediately and strengthens protections for voters, ballots and election infrastructure

SACRAMENTO, CA – On May 27, 2026, Senator Lena Gonzalez’s (D-Long Beach) bill to limit the use of flash-bang devices for crowd control and prohibit the use of flash-bangs and explosive breaching charges for immigration enforcement by local, state, and federal officers, passed the Senate on a vote of 29-9. 
 

Bill Heads to Assembly After 29-7 Vote; Would Remove 2027 Sunset on Attorney General's Inspection Framework

SB 1167 makes clear that electric vehicles too powerful or fast to meet the definition of an e-bike are not to be marketed or sold as e-bikes
SACRAMENTO – The Senate on Monday passed legislation by Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to address misrepresentation in the e-bike marketplace and strengthen consumer protections around how electric bicycles are marketed and sold.

SACRAMENTO – This week, the California State Senate passed Senate Bills 886 and 887, two measures authored by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) designed to protect California ratepayers from the potential increased costs and environmental damage caused by data centers.

Today, the California State Senate passed SB 905 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), legislation focused on strengthening utility accountability and addressing the underlying drivers of rising electricity costs for Californians. 

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Senate approved Senate Bill 996 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). The bill would allow manufactured homeowners to title their homes as real property, allowing access to more favorable financing options and opportunities to build generational wealth.