Final Decisions on Legislation, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

The year’s legislative session ended this week‚ after the statutory deadline passed for the Governor to sign or veto the bills the Legislature had passed. Of the 917 bills we sent to him‚ Governor Gavin Newsom signed 794 and vetoed 123. 

I am proud to report I had five bills signed and none vetoed. The other bills that I introduced in 2025 either died in committee or became two-year bills and will be taken up next year. 

The bills I had signed will help protect solar tax breaks‚ provide funding for wildlife habitat conservation areas‚ ensure incentives to build affordable housing are used for housing and not high-rise luxury hotels‚ strengthen state civil rights and keep California’s medical-aid-in-dying law the law for years to come. You can read more about my bills below. 

The Governor did sign SB 79‚ legislation that overrides local zoning restrictions in areas near busy public transit stations to allow more dense housing. (Read more about the bill in this CalMatters story.) Although I am a strong proponent of creating more affordable housing‚ I voted against this legislation because I believe it subverts local governments’ decision-making processes. 

At the same time‚ I was disappointed the Governor vetoed AB 255‚ which would have allowed a certain percentage of state funding for homelessness to be used for housing that requires sobriety‚ a much-needed set of housing.

The Governor also acted on several bills concerning artificial intelligence (AI). He signed legislation cracking down on artificially generated pornography‚ requiring warning labels on social media websites and regulating AI chatbots for minors. But he vetoed measures that would have banned employers from letting AI decide when to fire people and would have prohibited companies from letting children use chatbots that promote sex or violence (Read more in this San Francisco Chronicle article.). This is an issue I’m interested in monitoring closely as I’m co-chair of the Council of State Government West’s Committee on Technology and Future of Work. 

The Legislature returns to session on Jan. 5‚ 2026. Until then‚ I’ll be focused on meeting with‚ and listening to‚ constituents to better understand the problems we face and how to solve them. I will be touring government agencies‚ businesses and community organizations to make sure they are getting the support they need. And I’ll be developing my legislative package for next year‚ which is an intense hunt to identify problems big or small to tackle in California. Feel free to suggest a bill idea here‚ or to reach out to my district offices‚ (760) 642-0809 in Encinitas and (949) 598-5850 in Laguna Hills with any feedback‚ ideas or concerns. 

I continue to strive to keep our economy strong‚ rein in the cost of living and make our communities safer.

To watch my press conference celebrating the signing of SB 403‚ visit my FB page. Californians with painful‚ debilitating terminal illnesses should have the option to avoid suffering and die with dignity‚ if they wish‚ without fear of this option expiring. 

Here is a summary of the legislation I authored that was signed into law by the Governor. To learn more about my legislative package from this year and past years‚ visit my legislation web page.

• SB 403 – Medical Aid in Dying
  SB 403 removes the January 1‚ 2031‚ sunset date for the End of Life Option Act‚ California’s medical-aid-in-dying law. Nine years of data show the law is working well and should not be eliminated. Press Release
• SB 427 Habitat Conservation Fund
  SB 427 extends the sunset date for the program‚ moving it from July 1‚ 2030‚ to July 1‚ 2035. The Habitat Conservation Fund was established under Proposition 117‚ the California Wildlife Protection Act passed by voters in June 1990. The fund pays to acquire‚ restore and enhance wildlife habitats across California‚ which is crucial in a state renowned for its environmental beauty. Press Release
• SB 92 – Density Bonus Realignment
  SB 92 prevents the density bonus law from being used to build large commercial projects that far exceed local zoning law and city ordinances. Specifically‚ the legislation would limit developers to increasing the commercial floor space included in their projects to no more than 2.5 times what is allowed by local zoning. Press Release
• SB 477 – Civil Rights Protections 
  SB 427 clarifies language in the California Fair Employment and Housing Act so that the Civil Rights Department can more effectively investigate and prosecute discrimination‚ harassment‚ hate incidents and other civil rights violations. Press Release

Californians who buy and install solar panels because of a current property tax exemption should continue to receive it‚ even after the tax exemption expires. SB 710 prevents the rug from being pulled out from under Californians who are counting on this tax break for their solar projects to pencil out.

• SB 710 Solar Tax Exclusion
  SB 710 ensures active solar energy systems built before Jan. 1‚ 2027‚ remain exempt from property tax until ownership changes‚ supporting California’s clean energy goals. Press Release
  
  

I recently spoke at a press conference in San Diego about the importance of the nuclear fusion industry and its development. 

I was glad to join the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and other elected leaders to discuss the emergence of nuclear fusion energy‚ how we can support it and how it could be a game-changer for California and the rest of the world. 

San Diego’s economic story is the story of hard work‚ dedication and the unrelenting pursuit of new ideas and novel approaches that can transform our future. Nuclear fusion energy is one of those ideas. 

It holds the potential to provide a nearly limitless supply of clean power without greenhouse gas emissions or long-lasting nuclear waste. That’s why I authored SCR 25. 

This technology would represent a massive step forward in meeting our climate goals. I was happy to see many of the San Diego region’s government and business leaders come together to recognize that and pledge cooperation and support.

The Tahoe Conservancy and Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) recently co-hosted a tour of Lake Tahoe region to highlight nature-based solutions being used to manage the environment. I shared with others the importance of being proactive and utilizing these types of solutions across the state. Photos courtesy of SNC. 

As Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee‚ I’m always looking for ways California can better manage its environment‚ reduce wildfire risk and protect against climate change.

On a recent tour of the Lake Tahoe area‚ I saw first-hand how broad coalitions of stakeholders led by conservancies can undertake projects to restore wetlands‚ reforest lands scorched by recent fires and reduce brush and other fuels for fire to diminish the danger of wildfire.

Active reforestation after fires or degradation maintains woodland health and climate resilience. Restoring wetlands helps buffer communities against floods and improves groundwater recharge.

The Senate acted this year to strengthen forest management and boost support for Cal Fire. We need to be proactive as we continue to work to keep our communities safe from wildfire and counter climate change.

With‚ from left to right: Rachel Beld‚ CEO of the Vista Chamber of Commerce; Summer Stephan‚ San Diego County District Attorney; U.S. Rep. Mike Levin; Dan O’Donnell‚ Vista City Councilmember; Jeff Fox‚ Vista City Councilmember; John Franklin‚ Vista Mayor; and Jim Desmond‚ San Diego County Supervisor. 

I enjoyed attending the Vista Chamber of Commerce’s Meet the Leaders event and updating Vista residents and chamber members on my work this year.

I am also so happy to see the progress being made in the City of Vista to address homelessness. During my first year in office‚ the city came to me with a project it was working on with the City of Encinitas to create an interim supportive shelter space that would allow people to accept shelter who‚ for many reasons‚ might not take shelter in a congregate setting. 

I was proud to secure $5 million in the state budget to support the city’s efforts. Since its beginnings‚ the Buena Vista Navigation Center has served 265 unsheltered individuals. A majority of those individuals have successfully transitioned to more stable housing or were connected to the services they needed.

I know the city is in the process of finding a permanent home for this shelter space. I look forward to supporting the city’s actions as it continues to address the needs of its most vulnerable residents.

I visited Vista’s Buena Vista Navigation Center this week with Vista Mayor John Franklin and City Councilmembers Katie Melendez‚ Dan O’Donnell and Jeff Fox to see how its helping people who were previously unsheltered. 

I welcomed those who attended our Senior Scam Stopper Seminar at the Age Well Florence Sylvester Senior Center in Laguna Hills. 

We had a large turnout for our two Senior Scam Stopper Seminars earlier this month. These free events featured presentations by representatives from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and the California Department of Insurance.

We held one in Oceanside and one in Laguna Hills. These incredibly useful sessions covered common scams targeted at older Americans‚ how to recognize and avoid them and where to go for more resources. 

Did you know that in the first three months of 2025‚ Americans 60 and older lost more than $745 million to scams‚ according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission? The total in senior scams for 2024 is estimated at over $2.3 billion. 

You can learn more about common types of senior scams and how to protect yourself here.

Legoland in Carlsbad is making a strong commitment to reduce waste and improve its sustainability. My team and I recently got an up close look at Legoland’s operations and what they are doing to boost their diversion to 50 percent. With over 2 million visitors coming each year‚ that’s a gigantic reduction in the waste going to landfills! Thank you Legoland for making this a priority.

I enjoyed participating in a South Orange County Economic Coalition “Coffee Conversation” in Rancho Mission Viejo. We had a thoughtful discussion about pressing state and local issues‚ and how the state can be more supportive of small businesses. 

Communities‚ businesses and workers are all affected by the lack of affordable housing‚ the cost of health care and the difficulty and escalating cost of getting fire insurance in areas at high risk of seeing wildfires. I know addressing these issues is key to making California more affordable‚ keeping it safe and ensuring our economy remains strong and vibrant. 

I’m grateful to connect with local business leaders who are working every day to strengthen the future of South Orange County‚ and I am always delighted to get your input!

Lisa Montes at Solana Beach’s La Colonia Park.

It is my honor to recognize Lisa Montes as my Senate District 38 Community Champion as we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

For over 20 years‚ Lisa has tirelessly advocated for the youth and families in La Colonia de Eden Gardens. Lisa’s commitment to service is rooted in her own experiences growing up with Indigenous and Mexican heritage in La Colonia‚ the oldest neighborhood in Solana Beach‚ which was settled by Mexican American and Indigenous families in the 1920s. 

Lisa’s father was born in Encinitas in 1926‚ after the family fled the Mexican Revolution in 1918‚ and her grandfather Jose Montes served as a foreman on Santa Fe Railroad tracks in Encinitas‚ Del Mar and San Diego. Her mother‚ Celia Scott‚ was also born in La Colonia in 1929. The Tot Lot at La Colonia is named after her mother’s beloved aunt‚ Cipriana Gonzales‚ who fought to desegregate local schools in the 1940s and later battled to save St. Leo’s Church now known as St. Leo’s Mission.

Lisa has been instrumental in preserving and highlighting the rich Latino heritage of the historic La Colonia neighborhood. She helped start both La Colonia de Eden Gardens and La Colonia Community Foundations. For over seven years‚ she shared local history with schoolchildren and visitors as curator of the Solana Beach Heritage Museum. 

Lisa has also partnered with local organizations on initiatives focused on health‚ education‚ economic opportunity‚ and food security. In January‚ she co-founded Somos T.I.A.S. (Take Inspired Action Siempre) which provides food and Know Your Rights information to vulnerable immigrant families. 

In addition‚ she is a regular Sunday morning volunteer with Backpacks for Kids‚ a local Solana Beach non-profit organization‚ offering free fresh produce and other food items to the community.

“Growing up here‚ throughout my life I’ve seen people who are marginalized and vulnerable‚” Lisa said‚ “and I let them know that their voice needs to be heard.”

Inspired by the strength and resilience of her community‚ Lisa has dedicated her life to empowering others. Her voice and vision have made a lasting impact beyond the borders of Solana Beach‚ building bridges between diverse communities across the district. She exemplifies the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month‚ honoring cultural traditions while forging pathways for future generations.

I am proud to add Senate District 38 Community Champion to Lisa’s accolades in appreciation of her transformative and collaborate commitment to our community.

I was delighted to meet Abundance co-author Ezra Klein at a book signing over the summer. 

The book Abundance‚ by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson‚ argues that if we can get out of our own way‚ we can do ambitious‚ generation-changing things that improve people’s lives‚ such as building housing‚ transportation‚ clean energy‚ or universal access to broadband. 

This is the book we’re currently reading in my Our California! Book club. As a reminder‚ we’ll discuss it in a Zoom book club meeting on Oct. 25‚ from 10-11 a.m. Click here to sign up for the book club and get book club announcements. 

The Our California! Book Club focuses on books that impact and reflect on the California experience – past‚ present‚ and future – and how it informs the work of the State Legislature. 

I’ve chosen this book for our next book club.

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