2026 Legislative Package

2026 Legislative Package

This year's legislative package included 21 total bills, with proposals to help make California and our region more affordable; ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) is safe and beneficial; safeguard our water; accelerate our transition to clean energy; reform our campaign finance system; help local farmers and schools and reduce hunger; assist veterans; and make our tax system fairer. 

Below is a summary of my bills that are moving forward this year. The summaries include links to more information about each piece of legislation. (Updated Aug. 26, 2026.)

• SB 327 Protecting Ratepayers
  Approved by the state Senate on Jan. 27, 2026, SB 327 would protect ratepayers by strengthening oversight of investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and barring IOUs from using ratepayer funds to fight efforts to create municipal utilities. For more information, email Brett.Hailey@sen.ca.gov

• SB 813 Assessing Artificial Intelligence
  Approved by the state Senate on Jan. 27, 2026, SB 813 would establish a voluntary framework for independent third-party assessments of the potential risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) systems. For more information, email Heather.Caden@sen.ca.gov and Aaron.Gilbert-O’Neil@sen.ca.gov

• SB 872 Protecting California's Water
  Approved by the state Legislature on Aug. 20, 2026, SB 872 is designed to safeguard California’s primary water source for decades to come by protecting both the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and the State Water Project.  For more information, email Lauren.Winn@sen.ca.gov and Katerina.Robinson@sen.ca.gov 

   

• SB 881 Helping Farmers Fight Hunger
  Approved by the state Legislature on Aug. 19, 2026, SB 881 would enable farmers, growers, and food producers to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and more to food-insecure families and receive tax credits for donating surplus food to food banks. For more information, email Lauren.Winn@sen.ca.gov

   

• SB 900 Campaign Finance Disclosure Reform
  Approved by the state Senate on May 28, 2026, SB 900 would update and strengthen California’s campaign disclosure rules to provide more transparency and clarity regarding who is paying for political advertisements. For more information, email Brett.Hailey@sen.ca.gov

   

• SB 925 California Fusion Energy Roadmap
  Approved by the state Legislature on Aug. 26, 2026, SB 925 would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a strategic plan to advance fusion energy, which has the potential to provide nearly limitless clean, safe, and reliable power. For more information, email Brett.Hailey@sen.ca.gov

   

• SB 947 No Robo Bosses Act of 2026
  Approved by the state Senate on May 19, 2026, SB 947 would require human oversight of artificial intelligence systems in the workplace to prevent AI from firing or disciplining workers on its own. For more information, email Heather.Caden@sen.ca.gov and Aaron.Gilbert-O’Neil@sen.ca.gov

   

• SB 1058 Local Meals for Kids
  Signed into law by Gov. Newsom on July 13, 2026, SB 1058 updates California law to allow school districts to provide more high-quality, locally grown and culturally appropriate foods for students. For more information, email Aaron.Gilbert-O’Neil@sen.ca.gov

   

• SB 1168 Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share
  Approved by the state Senate on April 28, 2026, SB 1168 would direct the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to examine data centers’ use of excessive amounts of energy and ensure that Californians don’t face rate hikes as a result. For more information, email Brett.Hailey@sen.ca.gov.

   

• SB 1196 Accelerating ADU Utility Hookups
  Approved by the state Legislature on Aug. 20, 2026, SB 1196 would direct the CPUC to establish clear timelines for processing utility hookups requests for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and other small energization projects and institute penalties for utilities that violate the new standards. For more information, email Robert.Gammon@sen.ca.gov

   

• SB 1240 Boosting California Nonprofits
  Approved by the state Assembly on Aug. 26, 2026, SB 1240 would establish the Office of Nonprofit Empowerment within the governor’s office – a one-stop shop to improve nonprofits’ access to essential resources and help organizations navigate the often-complicated processes of state government. For more information, email Heather.Caden@sen.ca.gov

   

• SB 1350 Expanding Green Hydrogen
  Signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 29, 2026 SB 1350 expands California's clean energy program by including the use of green hydrogen, a promising form of renewable energy, to generate electricity. For more information, email Lauren.Winn@sen.ca.gov

   

• SB 1406 Closing the Montana Tax Loophole
  Approved by the state Legislature on Aug. 26, 2026, SB 1406 would strengthen state law barring tax scams in which California residents create a phony shell company to buy exotic luxury cars or recreational vehicles in Montana to avoid paying California sales taxes and vehicle license fees. For more information, email Robert.Gammon@sen.ca.gov

   

• SJR 18 Overturning 'Citizens United'
  Approved by the state Senate on June 11 and the Assembly on Aug. 17, SJR 18 sends a powerful message that the California Legislature strongly disagrees with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, "Citizens United," and calls on states to devise ways to limit corporate spending in our elections.  For more information, email Brett.Hailey@sen.ca.gov.

I am also joint author of the following legislation this year:

• SB 420 No Tax Breaks for Detention Centers (with Sens. Padilla and Umberg)

  Approved by the state Assembly on Aug. 25, 2026, SB 420 would clarify California law to ensure that counties do not provide property tax breaks for immigration detention centers. For more information, email Robert.Gammon@sen.ca.gov

• SB 886 California Technology Innovation and Ratepayer Protection Act (with Sen. Padilla)

  Approved by the state Senate on May 26, 2026, SB 886 would require the CPUC to establish separate tariffs for data centers. For more information, email Brett.Hailey@sen.ca.gov.