Policy Priorities
Cal Grant Reform
Unlocking Financial Aid for California Students
Students who historically have been unable to access the pathways to higher education should have the same opportunity to attend college and graduate as everyone else. California must find more ways to unlock its financial aid system so more students can obtain a degree!
2024 Legislative Wins
Criminal Justice Reform
SB 1001 – No Death Penalty for Intellectually Disabled Individuals (Skinner)
Provides important safeguards to help prevent the execution of those who are intellectually disabled.
Solving Food Insecurity
SB 1254 – Food for Re-entry and Ensuring Stable Homes (FRESH) Act (Becker)
Assists incarcerated individuals in applying for CalFresh benefits up to 90 days before their release, which helps address the food insecurity crisis in California and decreases barriers to reentry.
Protecting Immigrant Rights
SB 1132 – Health and Safety in Private Detention Facilities (Durazo)
Empowers county officials to conduct public health inspections at private detention facilities and immigration centers.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 2655 – Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act (Berman)
Bans the distribution on major online platforms of AI generated deepfakes that falsely portray a candidate, elected official, or elections official for a limited time before and after an election.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 2839 – Deceptive Media in Advertisements Act (Pellerin)
Bans the use of deepfakes falsely portraying candidates, elected officials, and elections officials in offline political communications.
Education Equity
AB 1887 - CA Emergency Response to Federal Financial Aid Rollout (Cervantes)
Aligns state financial aid and college application deadlines to new federal processes to support student access to financial aid.
Education Equity
AB 2033 – EASE Act (Reyes)
EBT Access for Student Empowerment (EASE) Act - Requires at least one location on every California public college campus to accept EBT cards, making it easier for students to use their benefits.
Climate Solutions
AB 1866 – Idle Oil Well Clean-Up (Hart)
Requires oil companies to plug idle wells, increases fees for failure to do so, and protects communities from environmental threats.
Climate Solutions
AB 3233 – Local Oil Drilling Regulations (Addis)
Protects local communities’ right to ban oil drilling – clarifying the rulings in two recent state Supreme Court decisions
Consumer Protections
SB 1061 – Medical Debt (Limón)
Removes medical debt from consumer credit reports, ending a harmful practice that causes a great deal of economic hardship for millions of individuals and families throughout our state.
Criminal Justice Reform
SB 1001 – No Death Penalty for Intellectually Disabled Individuals (Skinner)
Provides important safeguards to help prevent the execution of those who are intellectually disabled.
Solving Food Insecurity
SB 1254 – Food for Re-entry and Ensuring Stable Homes (FRESH) Act (Becker)
Assists incarcerated individuals in applying for CalFresh benefits up to 90 days before their release, which helps address the food insecurity crisis in California and decreases barriers to reentry.
Protecting Immigrant Rights
SB 1132 – Health and Safety in Private Detention Facilities (Durazo)
Empowers county officials to conduct public health inspections at private detention facilities and immigration centers.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 2655 – Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act (Berman)
Bans the distribution on major online platforms of AI generated deepfakes that falsely portray a candidate, elected official, or elections official for a limited time before and after an election.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 2839 – Deceptive Media in Advertisements Act (Pellerin)
Bans the use of deepfakes falsely portraying candidates, elected officials, and elections officials in offline political communications.
Education Equity
AB 1887 - CA Emergency Response to Federal Financial Aid Rollout (Cervantes)
Aligns state financial aid and college application deadlines to new federal processes to support student access to financial aid.
Education Equity
AB 2033 – EASE Act (Reyes)
EBT Access for Student Empowerment (EASE) Act - Requires at least one location on every California public college campus to accept EBT cards, making it easier for students to use their benefits.
Climate Solutions
AB 1866 – Idle Oil Well Clean-Up (Hart)
Requires oil companies to plug idle wells, increases fees for failure to do so, and protects communities from environmental threats.
Climate Solutions
AB 3233 – Local Oil Drilling Regulations (Addis)
Protects local communities’ right to ban oil drilling – clarifying the rulings in two recent state Supreme Court decisions
Consumer Protections
SB 1061 – Medical Debt (Limón)
Removes medical debt from consumer credit reports, ending a harmful practice that causes a great deal of economic hardship for millions of individuals and families throughout our state.
Criminal Justice Reform
SB 1001 – No Death Penalty for Intellectually Disabled Individuals (Skinner)
Provides important safeguards to help prevent the execution of those who are intellectually disabled.
Solving Food Insecurity
SB 1254 – Food for Re-entry and Ensuring Stable Homes (FRESH) Act (Becker)
Assists incarcerated individuals in applying for CalFresh benefits up to 90 days before their release, which helps address the food insecurity crisis in California and decreases barriers to reentry.
Protecting Immigrant Rights
SB 1132 – Health and Safety in Private Detention Facilities (Durazo)
Empowers county officials to conduct public health inspections at private detention facilities and immigration centers.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 2655 – Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act (Berman)
Bans the distribution on major online platforms of AI generated deepfakes that falsely portray a candidate, elected official, or elections official for a limited time before and after an election.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 2839 – Deceptive Media in Advertisements Act (Pellerin)
Bans the use of deepfakes falsely portraying candidates, elected officials, and elections officials in offline political communications.
Education Equity
AB 1887 - CA Emergency Response to Federal Financial Aid Rollout (Cervantes)
Aligns state financial aid and college application deadlines to new federal processes to support student access to financial aid.
Education Equity
AB 2033 – EASE Act (Reyes)
EBT Access for Student Empowerment (EASE) Act - Requires at least one location on every California public college campus to accept EBT cards, making it easier for students to use their benefits.
Climate Solutions
AB 1866 – Idle Oil Well Clean-Up (Hart)
Requires oil companies to plug idle wells, increases fees for failure to do so, and protects communities from environmental threats.
Climate Solutions
AB 3233 – Local Oil Drilling Regulations (Addis)
Protects local communities’ right to ban oil drilling – clarifying the rulings in two recent state Supreme Court decisions
Consumer Protections
SB 1061 – Medical Debt (Limón)
Removes medical debt from consumer credit reports, ending a harmful practice that causes a great deal of economic hardship for millions of individuals and families throughout our state.
2024 Budget Wins
Climate Solutions
California Climate Committee
Despite an historically large and ongoing deficit, the state has maintained $45 billion of the original $54 billion Climate Commitment
Climate Solutions
California Disclosure and Financial Reporting
Funds implementation of SB 253 the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act & SB 261 the Climate-Related Financial Risk Act.
Digital Equity
California Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative
Although less than advocated for, the state’s additional $250 million dollar investment in the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) marks a noteworthy step in building out the necessary infrastructure for connecting California's most underserved communities.
Solving Food Insecurity
California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP)
Safeguards and ensures funding for this crucial food safety net program that helps California’s low-income families purchase healthy and nutritious foods from local farmers.
Racial Equity
California's Racial Equity Commission funding
Defends and retains funding for the state's Racial Equity Commission.
Solving Food Insecurity
School Meals for All
Defends and retains California's investment in free school meals for all TK-12 students, with 872 million free school meals served last year.
Climate Solutions
California Climate Committee
Despite an historically large and ongoing deficit, the state has maintained $45 billion of the original $54 billion Climate Commitment
Climate Solutions
California Disclosure and Financial Reporting
Funds implementation of SB 253 the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act & SB 261 the Climate-Related Financial Risk Act.
Digital Equity
California Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative
Although less than advocated for, the state’s additional $250 million dollar investment in the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) marks a noteworthy step in building out the necessary infrastructure for connecting California's most underserved communities.
Solving Food Insecurity
California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP)
Safeguards and ensures funding for this crucial food safety net program that helps California’s low-income families purchase healthy and nutritious foods from local farmers.
Racial Equity
California's Racial Equity Commission funding
Defends and retains funding for the state's Racial Equity Commission.
Solving Food Insecurity
School Meals for All
Defends and retains California's investment in free school meals for all TK-12 students, with 872 million free school meals served last year.
Climate Solutions
California Climate Committee
Despite an historically large and ongoing deficit, the state has maintained $45 billion of the original $54 billion Climate Commitment
Climate Solutions
California Disclosure and Financial Reporting
Funds implementation of SB 253 the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act & SB 261 the Climate-Related Financial Risk Act.
Digital Equity
California Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative
Although less than advocated for, the state’s additional $250 million dollar investment in the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) marks a noteworthy step in building out the necessary infrastructure for connecting California's most underserved communities.
Solving Food Insecurity
California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP)
Safeguards and ensures funding for this crucial food safety net program that helps California’s low-income families purchase healthy and nutritious foods from local farmers.
Racial Equity
California's Racial Equity Commission funding
Defends and retains funding for the state's Racial Equity Commission.
Solving Food Insecurity
School Meals for All
Defends and retains California's investment in free school meals for all TK-12 students, with 872 million free school meals served last year.
2023 Legislative Wins
Climate Solutions
SBx1 -2 – Ending Oil Price Gouging (Skinner)
Empowers the CA Energy Commission (CEC) with greater oil industry oversight, specifically to increase transparency related to oil prices and penalties for companies that engage in price gouging.
Climate Solutions
SB 253 - Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (Wiener)
Requires all US-based businesses with over $1 billion in gross annual revenue, that do business in California, to disclose their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory annually.
Climate Solutions
SB 261 – Climate-related Financial Risk Disclosure Act (Stern)
Requires certain entities doing business in California to prepare and submit climate-related financial risk reports consistent with recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).
Criminal Legal Reform
AB 1118 – Racial Justice Act 3.0 (Kalra)
Makes technical changes to the current Racial Justice Act to help streamline the process to ensure claims are acted upon efficiently – saving time and resources for all involved.
Education Equity
AB 789 – Expanding Access to Financial Aid (Berman)
Enables students who have struggled academically to continue their educational pursuits by removing hurdles related to re-enrollment and maintaining financial aid.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 421 - Referendum Reform (Bryan)
Protects the integrity of the California referendum process by requiring more community-based, volunteer engagement in signature gathering.
Solving Food Insecurity
SB 348 – Nutritious School Meals & Time to Eat (Skinner)
Improves child nutrition by updating school meal sugar and sodium standards, providing students two nutritious school meals daily, and ensuring students have adequate time to eat.
Digital Equity
AB 41 DIVCA Reform (Holden) 2023 - Veto
Although we initially supported AB 41, the final iteration of AB 41 would have moved the state further from digital equity, and would have made California franchise policy worse for communities, worse for localities, and harder for the state to address the digital divide. Working alongside other digital equity coalition partners, we successfully secured a veto of AB 41 by Governor Newsom.
Climate Solutions
SBx1 -2 – Ending Oil Price Gouging (Skinner)
Empowers the CA Energy Commission (CEC) with greater oil industry oversight, specifically to increase transparency related to oil prices and penalties for companies that engage in price gouging.
Climate Solutions
SB 253 - Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (Wiener)
Requires all US-based businesses with over $1 billion in gross annual revenue, that do business in California, to disclose their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory annually.
Climate Solutions
SB 261 – Climate-related Financial Risk Disclosure Act (Stern)
Requires certain entities doing business in California to prepare and submit climate-related financial risk reports consistent with recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).
Criminal Legal Reform
AB 1118 – Racial Justice Act 3.0 (Kalra)
Makes technical changes to the current Racial Justice Act to help streamline the process to ensure claims are acted upon efficiently – saving time and resources for all involved.
Education Equity
AB 789 – Expanding Access to Financial Aid (Berman)
Enables students who have struggled academically to continue their educational pursuits by removing hurdles related to re-enrollment and maintaining financial aid.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 421 - Referendum Reform (Bryan)
Protects the integrity of the California referendum process by requiring more community-based, volunteer engagement in signature gathering.
Solving Food Insecurity
SB 348 – Nutritious School Meals & Time to Eat (Skinner)
Improves child nutrition by updating school meal sugar and sodium standards, providing students two nutritious school meals daily, and ensuring students have adequate time to eat.
Digital Equity
AB 41 DIVCA Reform (Holden) 2023 - Veto
Although we initially supported AB 41, the final iteration of AB 41 would have moved the state further from digital equity, and would have made California franchise policy worse for communities, worse for localities, and harder for the state to address the digital divide. Working alongside other digital equity coalition partners, we successfully secured a veto of AB 41 by Governor Newsom.
Climate Solutions
SBx1 -2 – Ending Oil Price Gouging (Skinner)
Empowers the CA Energy Commission (CEC) with greater oil industry oversight, specifically to increase transparency related to oil prices and penalties for companies that engage in price gouging.
Climate Solutions
SB 253 - Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (Wiener)
Requires all US-based businesses with over $1 billion in gross annual revenue, that do business in California, to disclose their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory annually.
Climate Solutions
SB 261 – Climate-related Financial Risk Disclosure Act (Stern)
Requires certain entities doing business in California to prepare and submit climate-related financial risk reports consistent with recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).
Criminal Legal Reform
AB 1118 – Racial Justice Act 3.0 (Kalra)
Makes technical changes to the current Racial Justice Act to help streamline the process to ensure claims are acted upon efficiently – saving time and resources for all involved.
Education Equity
AB 789 – Expanding Access to Financial Aid (Berman)
Enables students who have struggled academically to continue their educational pursuits by removing hurdles related to re-enrollment and maintaining financial aid.
Inclusive Democracy
AB 421 - Referendum Reform (Bryan)
Protects the integrity of the California referendum process by requiring more community-based, volunteer engagement in signature gathering.
Solving Food Insecurity
SB 348 – Nutritious School Meals & Time to Eat (Skinner)
Improves child nutrition by updating school meal sugar and sodium standards, providing students two nutritious school meals daily, and ensuring students have adequate time to eat.
Digital Equity
AB 41 DIVCA Reform (Holden) 2023 - Veto
Although we initially supported AB 41, the final iteration of AB 41 would have moved the state further from digital equity, and would have made California franchise policy worse for communities, worse for localities, and harder for the state to address the digital divide. Working alongside other digital equity coalition partners, we successfully secured a veto of AB 41 by Governor Newsom.
2023 Budget Wins
Climate Solutions
$54 billion appropriation over 5 years for the California Climate Commitment
Supported the historic $54 billion appropriation over 5 years for the California Climate Commitment which will ensure full funding remains to meet the state’s climate goals. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains most of the funding for the California Climate Commitment – roughly $52 billion. We will also continue to advocate for 100 percent of the state’s budget to be aligned with our climate goals.
Climate Solutions
$5 billion transportation funding package
Supported the $5 billion transportation funding package to avoid budget shortfalls to critical local and regional public transit systems. Enacted 2023-24 state budget includes the $5 billion in funding.
Criminal Legal Reform
$50 million in funding to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society
Supported the $50 million in funding to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains $40 million in funding.
Digital Equity
$6 billion in funding to build out the state’s broadband infrastructure
Supported the $6 billion in funding to build out the state’s broadband infrastructure and ensure every California has access to affordable, high-speed internet. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains $40 million in funding.
Education Equity
California Student Loan Borrowers - State Tax Relief
Supported state tax relief for (1) federal student loan borrowers who have received loan forgiveness or been granted a loan discharge under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and (2) college students who received pandemic related institutional debt forgiveness and emergency grant aid. Enacted 2023-24 state budget implements these policy changes.
Solving Food Insecurity
$60 million in funding for the Farm to School Program
Supported the existing $60 million in funding for the Farm to School Program, which provides fresh, local healthy food to California students. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains the $60 million in funding.
Solving Food Insecurity
Supported for fully funding School Meals for All
Supported for fully funding School Meals for All - an additional $200 million secured for a total of $1.66 billion. Enacted in the 2023-24 state budget.
Inclusive Democracy
Youth Empowerment Commission
Supported an appropriation to create the Youth Empowerment Commission, AB 46 legislation we advocated for during the 2021-22 legislative session. Enacted 2023-24 state budget appropriates $3.8 million in funding for Commission implementation.
Income and Wealth Inequality
$1.5 million to staff and implement the Racial Equity Commission
Supported $1.5 million to staff and implement the Racial Equity Commission, which we strongly advocated for and the Governor enacted through executive order last year. Enacted 2023-24 state budget appropriates $3.8 million in funding for Commission implementation.
Climate Solutions
$54 billion appropriation over 5 years for the California Climate Commitment
Supported the historic $54 billion appropriation over 5 years for the California Climate Commitment which will ensure full funding remains to meet the state’s climate goals. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains most of the funding for the California Climate Commitment – roughly $52 billion. We will also continue to advocate for 100 percent of the state’s budget to be aligned with our climate goals.
Climate Solutions
$5 billion transportation funding package
Supported the $5 billion transportation funding package to avoid budget shortfalls to critical local and regional public transit systems. Enacted 2023-24 state budget includes the $5 billion in funding.
Criminal Legal Reform
$50 million in funding to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society
Supported the $50 million in funding to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains $40 million in funding.
Digital Equity
$6 billion in funding to build out the state’s broadband infrastructure
Supported the $6 billion in funding to build out the state’s broadband infrastructure and ensure every California has access to affordable, high-speed internet. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains $40 million in funding.
Education Equity
California Student Loan Borrowers - State Tax Relief
Supported state tax relief for (1) federal student loan borrowers who have received loan forgiveness or been granted a loan discharge under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and (2) college students who received pandemic related institutional debt forgiveness and emergency grant aid. Enacted 2023-24 state budget implements these policy changes.
Solving Food Insecurity
$60 million in funding for the Farm to School Program
Supported the existing $60 million in funding for the Farm to School Program, which provides fresh, local healthy food to California students. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains the $60 million in funding.
Solving Food Insecurity
Supported for fully funding School Meals for All
Supported for fully funding School Meals for All - an additional $200 million secured for a total of $1.66 billion. Enacted in the 2023-24 state budget.
Inclusive Democracy
Youth Empowerment Commission
Supported an appropriation to create the Youth Empowerment Commission, AB 46 legislation we advocated for during the 2021-22 legislative session. Enacted 2023-24 state budget appropriates $3.8 million in funding for Commission implementation.
Income and Wealth Inequality
$1.5 million to staff and implement the Racial Equity Commission
Supported $1.5 million to staff and implement the Racial Equity Commission, which we strongly advocated for and the Governor enacted through executive order last year. Enacted 2023-24 state budget appropriates $3.8 million in funding for Commission implementation.
Climate Solutions
$54 billion appropriation over 5 years for the California Climate Commitment
Supported the historic $54 billion appropriation over 5 years for the California Climate Commitment which will ensure full funding remains to meet the state’s climate goals. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains most of the funding for the California Climate Commitment – roughly $52 billion. We will also continue to advocate for 100 percent of the state’s budget to be aligned with our climate goals.
Climate Solutions
$5 billion transportation funding package
Supported the $5 billion transportation funding package to avoid budget shortfalls to critical local and regional public transit systems. Enacted 2023-24 state budget includes the $5 billion in funding.
Criminal Legal Reform
$50 million in funding to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society
Supported the $50 million in funding to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains $40 million in funding.
Digital Equity
$6 billion in funding to build out the state’s broadband infrastructure
Supported the $6 billion in funding to build out the state’s broadband infrastructure and ensure every California has access to affordable, high-speed internet. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains $40 million in funding.
Education Equity
California Student Loan Borrowers - State Tax Relief
Supported state tax relief for (1) federal student loan borrowers who have received loan forgiveness or been granted a loan discharge under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and (2) college students who received pandemic related institutional debt forgiveness and emergency grant aid. Enacted 2023-24 state budget implements these policy changes.
Solving Food Insecurity
$60 million in funding for the Farm to School Program
Supported the existing $60 million in funding for the Farm to School Program, which provides fresh, local healthy food to California students. Enacted 2023-24 state budget retains the $60 million in funding.
Solving Food Insecurity
Supported for fully funding School Meals for All
Supported for fully funding School Meals for All - an additional $200 million secured for a total of $1.66 billion. Enacted in the 2023-24 state budget.
Inclusive Democracy
Youth Empowerment Commission
Supported an appropriation to create the Youth Empowerment Commission, AB 46 legislation we advocated for during the 2021-22 legislative session. Enacted 2023-24 state budget appropriates $3.8 million in funding for Commission implementation.
Income and Wealth Inequality
$1.5 million to staff and implement the Racial Equity Commission
Supported $1.5 million to staff and implement the Racial Equity Commission, which we strongly advocated for and the Governor enacted through executive order last year. Enacted 2023-24 state budget appropriates $3.8 million in funding for Commission implementation.
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