Berman Bulletin: 13 for 13 signed by Newsom + Community Updates

The legislative session is complete, and I am excited to let you know that Governor Newsom signed all thirteen of my bills that we sent to him, including legislation to keep our communities safe from gun violence, lower the cost of utility bills, stop the puppy mill pipeline in California once and for all, and increase election transparency.

While this has been a very challenging year, from the LA fires to the incessant attacks from President Trump on our immigrant communities, our economy, and our values, I am proud that we were able to fight through that to deliver real results for all Californians.

While our work for the next legislative session is just beginning, I am excited to be back home through the end of the year. I can’t wait to spend time in communities throughout the district and hear from constituents about what you want me to work on next year!

In this Newsletter:

• In Sacramento:
  • Legislation Signed into Law
  • Budget Highlights
• Out and About in AD 23:
  • Annual Family Health and Wellness Fair
  • Youth Town Hall
  • Thank you, Interns!
  • Upcoming Events

Sincerely,

Marc Berman
Assemblymember, 23rd District

In Sacramento

Ensuring our Elections are Transparent and Secure

• AB 5: Increases transparency in our vote count process by requiring elections officials to count the vast majority of ballots on or before the 13th day following an election.
• AB 827: In the most recent election, nearly 85,000 vote-by-mail ballots were rejected for either a missing or non-matching signature on the envelope. AB 827 provides a greater opportunity for voters to fix signature deficiencies and have their vote counted.

Putting Public Safety First

• AB 382: Increases student safety in school zones through lower speed limits and new tools for cities to help drivers slow down, creating a safer environment for students, parents, and school staff.
• AB 1078: Ensures California’s nation-leading firearm laws continue to save lives by establishing reasonable purchasing limits and updating California’s concealed carry weapons laws to align with recent Supreme Court guidance.

Protecting Consumers and the Rights of Workers

• AB 519: Protects animals and pet parents by preventing bad actors from selling abused and mistreated animals for profit, ending the illegal puppy mill pipeline in California.
• AB 1167: Prohibits for-profit utilities from charging customers for their lobbying efforts, pricey public relations advertising, and other activities that are for the primary benefit of utility shareholders.
• AB 1374: Requires that the total estimated charges of a rental car be disclosed as soon as consumers select dates, rental location, and vehicle type, ensuring that the upfront price is the real price you pay.
• AB 538: Clarifies the process for requesting payroll records from public works projects to maintain transparency of taxpayer dollars and ensure compliance with prevailing wage law.
• AB 1340: Provides more than 800,000 rideshare drivers in California with the opportunity to unionize, empowering them to have a say in the industry for which they are taking the risk, getting on the road, and working long hours.

While this was a very difficult budget year, I was proud to secure additional funding for programs that are critical to our communities:

• I am proud to have secured $1 million in additional funding for the California Firearm Violence Research Center (CA FVRC), the first state-funded center for firearm violence research that provides essential research on how we can better prevent gun violence in California. This additional funding will help backfill a loss in federal funding, and ensure that the CA FVRC can continue their life saving work.
• A free and independent press is vital for a democratic society. I am proud to have secured $15 million to continue the California Local News Fellowship program and fund the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education’s Propel Initiative at the University of California, Berkeley. The California Local News Fellowship is the nation’s largest publicly funded journalism initiative, and at a time when journalists and our democracy are under attack, I am proud to support the education of our future journalists.

Out and About in AD 23

I had a great time hosting my 7th Annual Family Health and Wellness Fair at Castlemont Elementary School in Campbell. Thanks to the support from our generous sponsors, partners, and participating organizations, we were able to provide vaccines, health screenings, free nutritious groceries, school supplies, and over 8,000 diapers to hundreds of families and individuals in need!

Every year, I am excited to host my annual Youth Town Hall. It's so important to give young people the space to participate in their democracy, and I always look forward to the thoughtful and challenging perspectives that are shared. This year, in the Palo Alto City Council chambers where I used to serve, I heard from inspiring youth panelists who shared their journeys in becoming youth leaders in their community, and how their peers can amplify their own voices. In addition, some wonderful student-focused organizations came out to share resources and opportunities for young people to get involved. I am grateful to everyone who shared their perspectives with me and engaged in this youth-led conversation.

This legislative session, we welcomed five amazing interns to our district and capitol offices. Oliver, Zoe, Kaawon, Shayda, and Njiwam were amazing additions to our team and worked on a range of impactful projects, including organizing our Menlo Park community coffee, responding to constituent concerns, and conducting research for potential bill ideas. As a former intern myself, I know firsthand the value of an internship to potentially spark a future in public service. I’m grateful for all of their hard work in service of my constituents!