Throughout the 2026 legislative session, my team and I worked to advance a legislative package focused on issues that matter to Californians, including wildfire recovery, consumer protection, property tax relief, Veterans benefits, small business regulations, education, and support for families.
With the legislative session now concluded, I am proud to share the results of our efforts and provide a final legislative update.
Six Seyarto Bills Signed Into Law:
SB 308 streamlines fiscal oversight requirements for California Community Colleges by consolidating duplicative reporting into a single comprehensive annual report, reducing administrative burdens while maintaining transparency and accountability.
SB 904 strengthens California’s wildfire recovery efforts by creating a consistent statewide protocol to improve agency coordination and expedite the multitude of permits that slow rebuilding efforts so that affected communities can rebuild as quickly as possible following major wildfires.
SB 918 updates California’s outdated drive-through restaurant regulations, giving businesses more flexibility to serve customers safely and efficiently while maintaining food-safety protections.
SB 946 permanently extends protections that promote fairness, accuracy, and privacy in escrow industry rating systems while preserving lenders’ ability to evaluate service providers.
SB 974 clarifies Proposition 19 to protect severely disabled individuals whose inherited homes are held in Special Needs Trusts, helping families retain their Proposition 13 property tax protections.
SB 1186 establishes clear timelines for processing new birth certificates following an adoption, helping families receive this essential document without unnecessary delays.
One Seyarto Bill Vetoed:
SB 1029 would have helped Californians recover money rightfully owed to them from vehicle lien sales, ensuring they do not permanently lose access to their funds simply because they were unaware the money was being held by the state.
* I remain committed to fixing this problem and will work to address the concerns raised by the DMV and the Governor’s Office. I intend to reintroduce this legislation next year and continue working toward a solution that gives Californians a fair opportunity to recover money that belongs to them.
Additional Legislative Efforts:
Unfortunately, not all of our bills made it. Some notable bills killed in committee include:
SB 888 would have excluded disabled Veterans’ disability compensation from the income calculation for the Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Low-Income Exclusion, helping more low-income Veteran families qualify for property tax relief.
SB 893 would have provided eligible Gold Star Family members with free day-use access to California State Parks in recognition of the sacrifice made by their loved ones.
SB 986 would have required legislative approval before major state regulations could take effect, increasing oversight of significant rules issued by state agencies such as CARB, CPUC, and the California Energy Commission to help rein in rising costs and address affordability challenges facing California families and businesses.
Co-Authored Bills Signed Into Law:
SB 296 (Archuleta) expands property tax exemptions for qualifying disabled Veterans and surviving spouses, providing significant property tax relief to help reduce housing costs and make homeownership more affordable.
SB 907 (Archuleta) strengthens penalties for repeat DUI offenders involved in serious hit-and-run crashes and closes legal loopholes to improve road safety and hold dangerous drivers accountable.
SB 927 (Choi) helps international adoptees obtain official recognition of their adoptions and access important legal documents when their adoptive parents or adoption agencies failed to complete the required paperwork.
SB 1017 (Reyes) expands access to educational records for foster youth ages 14 and older, helping them stay informed and engaged in their education.
SB 1047 (Niello) expands California’s neurodegenerative disease registry to include frontotemporal dementia, improving disease tracking and supporting research into neurological conditions.
SB 1056 (Grayson) strengthens privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by restricting the disclosure and distribution of sexually explicit evidence during criminal proceedings, helping prevent further trauma to victims.
SB 1191 (Ochoa Bogh) extends programs that help keep essential telephone services affordable and accessible for Californians living in rural and high-cost communities.
SB 1204 (Ochoa Bogh) strengthens government transparency and accountability by requiring the Legislature to be notified when state regulations are rejected, improving oversight of state agencies and the regulatory process.
SB 1218 (Arreguín) strengthens enforcement against illegal dumping by allowing local governments to immobilize vehicles with repeated unpaid dumping violations, helping keep communities clean and hold violators accountable.
SB 1392 (Cortese/Grove) expands smog check exemptions for qualifying classic and collector vehicles manufactured between 1976 and 1985, reducing regulatory burdens and costs for classic car owners.
AB 2307 (Sanchez) authorizes a regional traffic signal synchronization pilot program between Caltrans and local agencies to reduce traffic congestion, improve traffic flow, and shorten commute times in Western Riverside County.
AB 2640 (Hadwick) improves the state reimbursement process for local governments and school districts by providing timely notification of claim adjustments and greater flexibility in repayment, helping reduce financial burdens on local agencies.
It is my privilege to serve as your State Senator. As a lifelong public servant, I understand the significance of the trust you have placed in me.
Each legislative session brings its own challenges, and there is still much work to be done. I am proud of what my team and I accomplished this year, both through our own legislation and by working with colleagues to advance common sense solutions for Californians and deliver results.
As we look ahead to the next legislative session, I remain committed to addressing the challenges facing our communities, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring that the voices of the 32nd Senate District are heard in Sacramento.
Thank you for this opportunity to be of service.