Attending Climate Week, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

Happy October! I hope you’re enjoying autumn. In some places it’s remained stubbornly hot‚ but it’s nice to feel the change of seasons in the air.

Last week I traveled to New York City for Climate Week‚ which is the largest annual climate event of its kind. It features more than 600 events and activities across the City of New York. The most senior international figures from business, government‚ civil society and the climate sector attended to share ideas‚ drive forward progress and champion change.

I spoke on panels‚ but also importantly‚ listened to what others were saying. One of the things I took away from the experience was a deeper understanding of the importance of corporate carbon disclosure requirements. This is something that legislative climate champions talk about a lot. The reality is that accurate measurement of emissions is hard. In order to create accountability‚ we need both accuracy and transparency about the data. Without accurate measurement of pollutants‚ and disclosure‚ we won’t have the conditions needed to demand the change we need.

Many people expressed the sentiment that the clean energy revolution will be as transformative as the industrial revolution. To quote former Secretary of State John Kerry‚ who is now the U.S. Climate Envoy under President Joe Biden and spoke on the second night‚ “The clean energy transformation could happen right now. We just have to make the decision to do it.”

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I participated in a panel discussion (above) at the California Climate Leadership Forum‚ one of many events held during the week‚ with (left to right) Sen. Steve Padilla‚ Sen. Aisha Wahab and panel moderator John Keisler. The panel was titled “Preparing California for the Clean Energy Economy: Promoting Equity & Accessibility.” I spoke about the rail corridor and transit‚ as well as my efforts to make the operation of the state Legislature itself more sustainable.

Below left‚ I am with (left to right) Sens. Josh Becker‚ Henry Stern‚ Ana Caballero and Steve Padilla‚ who also attended. I also met (below right) Jigar Shah‚ the director of the Loans Program Office at the U.S. Department of Energy.

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I am thrilled that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two of my biggest pieces of legislation‚ one to ban plastic bags from being provided at grocery store checkouts and another to set the foundation for stronger rail operations through Southern California. I thank the Governor and the Legislature for the support. I think these bills will both have lasting impacts.

As the Governor closed out bill signing season‚ he made hundreds of important decisions. He signed a total of 13 bills that I authored. Here’s a summary of those bills that have now become law.

SB 1053 bans the distribution of plastic bags at grocery store checkouts‚ effective Jan. 1‚ 2026. Instead of being asked do you want paper or plastic at checkout‚ consumers will simply be asked if they want a paper bag. This easy change eliminates single-use‚ throw-away plastic bags from the point of sale and helps California significantly reduce the plastic waste that is contaminating our environment and waters. Read more here.

Click on the image to watch the interview I did with KCAL.

SB 689 cuts unnecessary red tape in the development of bike lanes‚ dedicated transit lanes and pedestrian walkways along California’s coastline. Read more here.

SB 1002 improves the implementation of a law aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of people experiencing mental health crises. Current law mandates that anyone placed on a 72-hour mental health hold must refrain from possessing a firearm‚ but many with guns never turn them in. SB 1002 makes several changes to increase compliance. Read more here.

SB 1019 ensures that firearms turned in as part of gun-buyback programs or confiscated by law enforcement during investigations are completely destroyed. As the New York Times reported in December 2023‚ many parts of guns collected in such programs end up being resold online as part of gun kits that can easily be turned into “ghost” guns. Read more here.

SB 1077 aims to make it easier to apply for permits for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in coastal areas. Read more here.

Building ADUs is a sensible way to add gentle density‚ and housing options‚ for communities.

SB 7 makes changes to the Regional Housing Needs Determination Allocation (RHNA) process to improve local government planning to serve the unsheltered with the greatest needs. Read more here.

SB 1098 revitalizes the rail corridor that runs from San Diego through six Southern California counties to San Luis Obispo by providing stronger management and planning for the rail line to optimize passenger service. Read more here.

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I talked about the significance of SB 1098 in a video I posted on X. To see it, go here. Links to all my social media platforms are at the bottom of the newsletter.

SB 1216 improves bike safety by prohibiting new sharrows from being installed on roads with speeds of 30 mph or greater‚ among other things. Read more here.

SB 1476 makes the Board of Trustees and designated employees of the State Bar of California subject to conflict of interest provisions of the Political Reform Act. This is common sense for a state agency that licenses and regulates lawyers.

SB 1493 reduces the number of copies of the state voter information guide that the Secretary of State is required to mail to specified individuals and educational institutions. In the age of digital information, multiple copies are not needed.

Signed Legislation that...

• Bars local governments from establishing local laws that require residents to present identification to vote.
• Bans legacy and donor admissions at private California universities.
• Requires warehouses to be built farther away from homes and schools.
• Makes changes to the state’s lemon law.
• Requires paint and textile producers to more frequently recycle their products.
• Bans schools from selling dyes used in certain snacks and foods.
• Bans “sell by” labels on products.
• Requires health insurers to cover IVF treatments.
• Gives small and rural hospitals more time to earthquake-proof their facilities.
• Allows tribes to sue card rooms over gambling rights.
• Requires universities to have to anti-discrimination rules for protesters.
• Allows the state to place anticipated surplus funds into future reserves.

And vetoed Legislation that would have...

• Regulated pharmacy benefit managers.
• Prevented tech companies from selling kids’ data without parental consent.
• Forced companies selling marine flares to establish a program to collect expired flares.
• Required manufacturers to recycle vehicle batteries.
• Made it easier for farmworkers to get workers’ compensation for heat-related illnesses.
• Provided unemployment benefits and access to housing grants to undocumented immigrants.
• Required warning labels on gas stoves telling of health risks.
• Required audio and visual warnings for drivers speeding to be in all new cars by 2030.

 

MEDIA COVERAGE

NEW YORK TIMES: Newsom Tacks to the Middle with California in the Spotlight

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE: New state legislation prioritizes work on San Diego County’s coastal rail corridor

NEW YORK TIMES: California Bans All Plastic Bags After Its First Effort Backfired

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I was delighted to speak at the ribbon cutting this week for Phase II of the San Dieguito Wetland Restoration Project. I attended with (left to right) Caltrans District 11 North Coast Corridor Director Victor Mercado‚ SANDAG Second Vice Chair and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner‚ City of San Diego Council President Pro Tem and San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority Chair Joe LaCava‚ Assemblymember Tasha Boerner‚ Del Mar Mayor David Druker and SANDAG Chief Executive Officer Mario Orso.

The San Dieguito Lagoon Restoration Project is an excellent example of dedication to preserving our natural environment with infrastructure improvements. Now residents and visitors have new trails to enjoy along our beautiful coast and the restored habit will provide a home for federally endangered and threatened species to thrive.

I am so excited to see this project get done!

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A big thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter‚ the City of San Juan Capistrano and other partners who joined with me to provide an informative forum about Alzheimer’s disease on Tuesday, Oct. 1‚ which was the International Day of Older Persons.

We had a very engaged group at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center for this event‚ which included two presentations on Alzheimer’s and dementia and how to maintain a healthy brain and body. Several organizations also provided tables‚ with pamphlets and other resources for people looking for assistance or information.

For all of our seniors and family members with seniors‚ learning to recognize the signs of this disease is important as well as knowing where to go to get help. Visit the Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter website for more information.

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The dedicated volunteers who work at Laura’s House resale store in San Juan Capistrano.

I am honored to recognize Laura’s House as Senate District 38’s Champion of the Month for October‚ during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Since 1994‚ Laura’s House has been a cornerstone of support for domestic violence survivors in Orange County and today fields over 3‚000 crisis hotline calls annually. The organization was founded to ensure that no one would face domestic violence without access to resources and safety.

Laura’s House provides essential services‚ including 24-hour crisis hotline‚ emergency shelter‚ counseling‚ life-skills workshops‚ case management‚ legal advocacy‚ on-site children’s programs and transitional housing. Over the years‚ Laura’s House has helped thousands of individuals break free from the cycle of abuse‚ offering not only immediate refuge but also the tools to build independent‚ violence-free lives. The house’s programs empower survivors to take control of their futures and heal from trauma‚ while also offering support for their children through therapeutic programs.

In addition to their direct services‚ Laura’s House has been a leader in community outreach and education‚ working to prevent domestic violence before it starts. By raising awareness and providing resources‚ they have touched countless lives and helped foster a culture of prevention and support.

On behalf of the 38th Senatorial District‚ I extend my deepest gratitude to Laura’s House and its staff for their unwavering commitment to serving survivors and their tireless efforts to create a safer‚ more compassionate community for all.

If you would like to nominate a Champion of the Month for District 38 please do so here.​

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The legislative process begins when proposed legislative language is “crossed” to the front desk of the State Senate. Here I am introducing my very first bill as a state Senator on the day I was sworn into office.

Do you think there should be a law about something? If so‚ click the button below and follow the directions to provide your suggestion. I want to hear your ideas‚ as the fall is when I continue refining my legislative agenda!

I’ve been very impressed with the ideas submitted so far. There have been 12 individual comments about the need to better manage e-bikes - some recommending licensure‚ enforcement‚ prohibition for certain ages or certain types of bikes‚ better education and more. Please keep the ideas coming!

Send Suggestions

Thank you for your support. I am honored to serve you.

In partnership‚

Email me at Senator.Blakespear@Senate.ca.gov
Call my Encinitas district office at (760) 642-0809
Call my Laguna Hills district office at (949) 598-5850
Call my Capitol office in Sacramento at (916) 651-4038