Senator Arreguín Appointed Chair of both the Public Safety and Human Services Committees
Sacramento, CA - With the formal start of the 2025-2026 legislative session today, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire has appointed Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) as Chair of both the Public Safety and Human Services standing committees.
“I am honored to Chair two standing committees of great importance to East Bay residents. I thank President Pro Tem McGuire for his trust in appointing me to lead these two committees.” said Senator Arreguín. “Public safety is one of the biggest challenges facing the East Bay and I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver tangible results to create safer, healthier communities.
With a new federal administration about to take office, and the potential for cuts to essential safety net services, I will fight for our children and our most vulnerable residents as chair of the Human Services Committee.”
The Public Safety Committee oversees all new laws relating to the Penal Code, criminal procedure, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Human Services Committee reviews bills relating to welfare programs such as CalWORKS, CalFresh, child welfare and foster care, disability services, aging and long-term care, and related social and rehabilitative services.
Prior to his election as State Senator in November 2024, Arreguín served as the Mayor of the City of Berkeley where he led efforts around public safety and human services. Specifically, he passed legislation restructuring the Berkeley Police Department and convened a regional task force of public officials to improve interjurisdictional cooperation between police departments throughout the East Bay. As Mayor, he expanded local safety net programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw implementation of the City’s Age-Friendly Plan.
In addition to serving as Chair of these committees, Arreguín will also serve as a member of the following committees: Energy, Utilities and Communications; Housing; Local Government; Transportation; and Business, Professions and Economic Development Committees.
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