SAN JOSE, CA – California State Senator Dave Cortese (District 15) issued the following statement in response to new regulations from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regarding the operation and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in California:
“The California DMV’s proposed AV regulations reinforce exactly why I introduced Senate Bill 1246 — because innovation without accountability cannot be tolerated when public safety is at stake.

(SACRAMENTO) – Senate Bill 1381 by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday. The bill, sponsored by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, would require the individualized education program team of the Local Educational Agency (LEA) to provide parents of students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind information regarding the option for the student to attend a state special school.

Sacramento, Calif. (April 30, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) today convened a hearing of the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government, bringing together the public and state leaders to examine key issues shaping California’s housing future, including a budget proposal to raise fees on mobilehome residents.

SACRAMENTO, CA – As a former member on the County of Santa Clara Board Supervisors for 12 years, California State Senator Dave Cortese (D – San Jose) has proudly introduced Senate Resolution 96 (SR 96) to declare April as National County Government Month, spotlighting the frontline role counties play in protecting over 40 million Californians – especially in times of federal uncertainty.\

SACRAMENTO, CA – On Monday, April 27th, 2026, California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, convened an Informational Hearing to receive and take testimony on the state’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) Project’s statutorily required 2026 Draft Business Plan. 

SACRAMENTO, CA – California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued the following statement recognizing Dina El-Tawansy on her appointment as Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans):

Today, Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) introduced Senate Bill 73 that would provide California elections with additional protection against outside interference. The bill is a follow-up to Senate Bill 851 (Cervantes), which Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law last year. SB 73 has an urgency clause that would allow its provisions to take effect for the June 2 statewide primary election if signed into law by the Governor in time.

State Senator Henry Stern (D–Los Angeles) and other legislators submitted a public letter to the California Air Resources Board urging the Board to strengthen the state’s Cap-and-Invest program and reject recent proposed changes that would weaken its effectiveness, jeopardize pollution targets, and redirect billions of dollars away from public investments.

(SACRAMENTO) – On Thursday, Senate Bill 928 by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside)—which would help prevent California State University (CSU) faculty from being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI)—was approved unanimously on the Senate Floor. SB 928, sponsored by the California Faculty Association (CFA) and the California Federation of Labor Unions, would require that a faculty member and an instructor of record for a course must be human beings; the bill would protect the quality of education for students and teaching professionals, including CSU faculty.

Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D–Colton) and Assemblymember Mike Fong (D–Alhambra) joined students and higher education leaders for a press conference highlighting legislation to establish Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANHPI) designations in California.