Summer Update: Delivering Progress to the East Bay

With summer here, I wanted to provide you an update on the work being done in Sacramento to uplift the East Bay and California. In this newsletter, you will find an update on our legislative agenda and the many bills I have introduced that are currently making their way through the legislative process. The State recently adopted its budget for 2025-26, and I am proud to have helped secure $1.8 billion for Bay Area and California priorities. Also in this newsletter is information on local nonprofits that have recently been recognized by the state, and ways you can help shape the future of our regional parks.

As always, if you are needing assistance with a state agency or would like to provide feedback on legislation, feel free to reach out to my offices. In addition to our Capitol Office (916-651-4007) and Oakland District Office (510-286-1333), we just opened a second District Office in Richmond (510-233-2903). You can also contact me via email at senator.arreguin@senate.ca.gov or through the contact portal on my website. 

Legislative Update

Senator Arreguín debates legislation at the Senate Floor.

I am proud of my legislative agenda for this year in advancing policies that support residents of the East Bay and beyond. We have now reached the part of the annual legislative cycle in which bills have been voted from the house of origin (i.e. the Senate) and into the other house (the Assembly). The bills mentioned below have all advanced the Senate and are currently being discussed in the Assembly.

Supporting California and East Bay Families

At the core of the work I do as a state legislature is to uplift the people of California and the East Bay. Below are some of the highlights: 

• SB 81 - Healthcare facilities and Immigration Protection: This bill will make it easier to access healthcare without fear of one's privacy being violated. Specifically, it requires healthcare facilities to designate non-public areas that cannot be accessed except in cases where a valid judicial warrant is provided, and includes immigration as part of a patient's private medical record.
• SB 739 - CalFresh in Disasters: This bill will improve access to CalFresh for victims of a disaster experiencing food insecurity.
• SB 792 - Childcare: This bill will increase access to childcare services for low-income families.

While many bills aim to advance policies and legislation across the state as a whole, there are several bills I am working on that are specific to the East Bay or address issues that disproportionately impacts the region: 

• SB 304 - Improvements to Port of Oakland: This bill lifts restrictions on land use at the Port of Oakland, helping attract businesses and increase the public's enjoyment and utilization of the waterfront.
• SB 692 - Vehicular Abatement: This bill will make it easier for local jurisdictions to remove abandoned or inoperable vehicles that pose a safety hazard.
• SB 830 - New Emeryville Hospital: This bill will streamline the development of a new hospital in Emeryville, ensuring the region is covered by a full-service acute care hospital for decades to come.

Increasing Housing

Housing is one of the biggest economic barriers facing Californians, with over half of renters paying more than 30% of their income towards housing. I have introduced several bills that will make it easier to create more housing, which in turn will reduce costs driven by limited supply:

• SB 9 - Accessory Dwelling Units:  This bill will improve accountability on the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), helping local jurisdictions conform to state standards. ADUs now account for 1 in 5 new housing units in the state.
• SB 489 - Permit Streamlining: This bill will improve the Permit Streamlining Act and require local agencies to provide information to help developments meet requirements.
• SB 786 - Housing Elements: This bill d resolves ambiguities in Housing Element law, making it easier for local jurisdictions to advance construction. 

Advancing Public Safety

Californians have made it clear that public safety is a top priority. While crime in 2024 was down, including a 6% decrease in violent crime and 8.4% decrease in property crime, anyone that is a victim of a crime knows that more can be done. Bills I have introduced include: 

• SB 431 - Utility Worker Protections: This bill will create additional deterrence against those who attack utility workers on the job.
• SB 524 - Artificial Intelligence Reports: This bill will improve accountability on police reports by requiring disclosures if artificial intelligence was used in the creation of reports.
• SB 627 - The No Secret Police Act: This bill would prohibit law enforcement agents from concealing their identity, including the use of face coverings. In response to unaccountable and unidentifiable ICE agents and wannabe vigilantes covering their faces, similar legislation is now being considered in multiple states and on the federal level.
• SB 704 - Firearm Barrels: This bill will make it illegal for someone who is not a licensed firearm dealer to sell firearm barrels, a key component of ghost guns, thereby reducing the proliferation of these dangerous and illegal weapons. 

For a full list of bills, visit the California Legislative Information website, and click on "Bill Information" on the top tab. You can search bills by number, author, keywords, and other criteria, which will provide a full text of the bill, status, and legislative history. 

     California Budget Adopted

California's approved balanced budget aims to advance priorities of Californians.

Despite an uncertain economic outlook, the threat of deep and significant cuts from the federal government, and ongoing recovery efforts from January's devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles region, a $321 billion budget has been approved that delivers for working families and for the East Bay. Driven by responsible budgeting, we were able to close a $12 billion deficit without resorting to tax hikes or widespread cuts. Additionally, the budget provides $15 billion in reserves, which will help mitigate any potential future budget challenges. 

I am proud to announce that I helped secure $1.8 billion in funding for Bay Area and California priorities, including: 

• $750 million dollar loan to save Bay Area transit
• Restoring $500 million for homelessness funding
• Restoring $500 million for Low Income Housing Tax Credits
• Restoring $120 million for the Multi-Family Housing Program

In addition, our adopted budget includes:

• No cuts to UC, CSU or K-12 schools
• New public safety investments, including wildfire protection and victim support
• $1 billion in additional support for recovery and rebuilding from the Los Angeles fires
• Funding for CalFresh
• Additional support for immigration legal services

Overall, this budget responsibly closes shortfalls, adds money to the reserves, and avoids deep cuts. While the federal government is prioritizing cutting vital services for working class families to accommodate tax cuts for billionaires, in California, we are prioritizing the people and actions to make the state more affordable.

Senate Takes Stand on Mass Immigrant Raids

State Senators held a press conference in support of immigrant communities.

The world has watched in horror as California has come under siege in recent weeks by military-style mass immigration raids. Frequently, these raids have resulted in the arrests and separation of families, workers, and even American citizens because of the color of their skin. Despite the attempts to create a chilling climate of fear, the people of California are joining in solidarity to support immigrant communities who provide invaluable contributions to the state and nation. This month, the Senate passed a resolution which I co-authored and advocated for, to condemn these raids and affirm support for protecting the rights and safety of all Californians. This builds upon the work the legislature has done to protect immigrant communities, including an emergency allocation of $50 million for litigation against unjust actions by the federal administration and financial support for legal aid and immigrant nonprofits.

California's Attorney General has published resources for immigration communities. These resources can help immigrants to become aware of their rights, including securing housing, emergency medical care, and legal assistance. They also go over what state and local law enforcement can and cannot do in immigration matters.

The full list of resources can be found here, which includes information in over a dozen languages.

Highlighting East Bay Nonprofits

Senators from the Latino Caucus recognized individuals and organizations as part of the annual Latino Spirit Awards.

One of the inspiring things about the East Bay is the vast number of nonprofits that are working to improve and support our communities and promote the diversity of the many cultures that call the East Bay Home. I recently had the honor of recognizing two organizations at the Senate Chambers on the incredible work they are doing.

Every year, the Latino Caucus presents the Latino Spirit Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations for excellence in a wide range of categories. This year, I recognized La Peña Cultural Center, which recently celebrated its 50^th anniversary.  For decades, La Peña has been a place where communities are united through the preservation and celebration of their unique cultural traditions, and it additionally services as a springboard for social justice and activism, especially through the medium and visual and performing arts. 

In celebration of California Nonprofits Day, I recognized Community Kitchens, which was founded in 2020 with a goal of eradicating food insecurity. Community Kitchens provides free, nourishing meals to unhoused and low-income residents while supporting local restaurants and food workers, operating at the intersection of public health, economic resilience, and community care. Over the past five years, they have served over half a million meals across the East Bay, including 144,000 meals in 2024. 

Congratulations to La Peña and Community Kitchens on the recognition, and to all nonprofits that have contributed to the vibrancy and resiliency of the East Bay. 

Have Your Say on Regional Parks

Wildcat Canyon Regional Park is one of dozens of open spaces operated by the East Bay Regional Park District.

We are fortunate to live in a region full of nature and recreation. The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), which recently celebrated its 90^th anniversary, manages and maintains 73 parks in Alameda and Contra Costa counties covering nearly 127,000 acres, 1,330 miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline. 

To support EBRPD's mission of preserving our natural and cultural resources through the creation and preservation of open space, trials, and environmental education for the next 90 years and beyond, EBRPD is developing a new District Plan. This high-level document will help EBRPD identify goals and priorities needed to implement its vision, while reflecting changes to the climate and the region's demographics. You can play a role in shaping this document by taking part in a short survey, which will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey will close on July 31st. Your valuable input will help shape the future of EBPRD.