Strengthening Consumer Protections, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

The legislative year is now complete‚ and I am thrilled to report that the Governor signed 16 of the 17 bills I sent to his desk.

For a full rundown of my bills‚ visit the legislation page of my website here.

Speaking truthfully‚ in my fourth year as a senator‚ I have been more effective than ever. In fact‚ only one other senator had as many bills signed as I did‚ and only one other member of the Legislature had more bills signed in 2026. 

When asked what I’m most proud of‚ I believe that many of the bills enacted into law this year will make a big difference‚ for example‚ SB 1167‚ to strengthen consumer protections on e‑bikes‚ SB 1135‚ to re‑establish a much‑needed statewide program to promote coexistence with wildlife‚ and SB 936‚ to prevent the dangerous use of nitrous oxide as a recreational drug by limiting its sales to legitimate purposes. 

Not all my bills were signed‚ though‚ and in many ways those were bigger‚ more ambitious bills — related to oil refineries‚ environmental protections for inherently polluting industries and CARE Court modifications. With those bills‚ I laid the groundwork for important changes next year. The unsigned bills DID move the ball forward.

I’m already working on bills to author for next year. I welcome your input and ideas. Feel free to email any ideas you have at Senator.Blakespear@Senate.ca.gov

I was glad to be invited along with other legislators to witness the Governor signing our bills. At this sitting in San Francisco‚ Governor Newsom signed my SB 1135‚ which re‑established the state’s Wildlife Coexistence Program. Behind the Governor‚ from left to right‚ are Assemblymember Jessica Caloza‚ Assemblymember Gregg Hart‚ myself‚ Senator Josh Becker and Wade Crowfoot‚ the California Secretary for Natural Resources. [Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.]

I presented the City of Oceanside with a $3 million check to use for interim housing units. From left to right are: Oceanside City Councilmember Jimmy Figueroa; Oceanside City Manager Jonathan Borrego; Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce; myself; Elizabeth Funk‚ Founder and CEO of DignityMoves; and Greg Anglea‚ CEO of Interfaith Community Services. Behind us are model tiny homes‚ similar to what the project will provide. 

I am happy I could secure $3 million from the state’s 2026‑27 budget for the City of Oceanside to use for interim housing units and support services for the people using them.

I know how important and impactful interim housing is. Other cities have shown that by building small individual shelters at scale‚ they can dramatically reduce the number of people forced to live unsheltered on their streets. Congratulations to Oceanside for doing the hard work to make this happen.

Said Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce: “Senator Blakespear has shown tremendous courage in her work on ending street homelessness. While so many leaders turn away from the call to end the suffering of our most vulnerable residents‚ she stands firm. We are proud to be a partner who says yes. We have a local saying‚ ’Oceanside takes care of its own.’ This opportunity is going to help us live up to that calling. This project will provide desperately needed space for the dignity and rest all of our people deserve.”

WHY IT MATTERS 

Homelessness is a problem throughout San Diego County and the entire state of California. The 2026 Point‑In‑Time Count conducted in January revealed that 9‚803 people in San Diego County are experiencing homelessness‚ with 5‚108 of them living unsheltered – on streets‚ in public spaces or in their cars. The same count showed that 362 people were living unsheltered in Oceanside. Across California‚ 181‚934 people are homeless. One giant part of the problem is the lack of available shelters.

Oceanside’s interim housing project aims to provide 17 small shelters that can be used by people transitioning out of homelessness. The tiny homes would be located in the parking lot of Oceanside Navigation Center – Interfaith Community Services‚ 3131 Oceanside Blvd.

I am a big believer in scaling up interim housing. Read my 2025 op‑ed about the importance of interim housing here.

I presented Vista Mayor John Franklin (to my immediate right in the photo) and members of the Vista City Council‚ a $2 million check for the City of Vista to continue to operate the Buena Creek Navigation Center (pictured behind). Members of the Vista City Council‚ residents of the shelter‚ housing advocates and a friendly companion goat who lives nearby also attended the presentation. 

I am so glad I was able to secure $2 million through the state’s 2026‑27 budget to fund the operating costs for the Buena Creek Navigation Center‚ a Vista shelter that provides supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness. 

The Buena Creek Navigation Center represents exactly the kind of shelter and support people need to transition from living on the streets to stable housing. This center provides 48 non‑congregate units for people to use as a stepping stone to permanent housing.

Said Vista Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell: “Thank you to Senator Catherine Blakespear for securing this additional $2 million and to the State of California for investing in the Buena Creek Navigation Center. The senator’s support helped us open the center in 2024‚ and this funding will help us continue providing shelter‚ individualized case management‚ housing assistance and connections to behavioral health care‚ substance use treatment and employment resources. With 225 participants having found permanent housing since the center opened‚ we are seeing meaningful results. We appreciate this continued partnership and its impact on the people we serve.”

President Trump says many things that can upset people and inflame politics‚ but when it comes to our national security‚ he needs to own up to his responsibility as commander in chief. That’s why I immediately issued a statement (above) condemning his comments at a rally saying that having San Diego and Los Angeles taken out as part of the war with Iran would be a “a very small price to pay.” That’s no laughing matter.

I was excited to celebrate the progress being made with climate action plans in Carlsbad and other cities in our region at a press conference with Sierra Club San Diego and the Climate Action Campaign earlier this week. 

Congratulations to the cities of Carlsbad‚ Encinitas and La Mesa for demonstrating what thoughtful‚ local climate leadership can achieve. Their successful implementation of climate action plans provides a strong model for communities across California.

A climate action plan is more than a document. It is a commitment to turning our climate goals into measurable action. It gives a community a roadmap — one that can guide decisions about transportation‚ buildings‚ energy‚ waste‚ water and land use‚ while making our communities healthier‚ more resilient and more affordable.

And that matters because climate change is not a distant problem. We see its impacts all over the place — from the extreme heat of this last week to drought to wildfire risk‚ rising seas and threats to our homes‚ our economy and our natural resources.

Cities are essential partners in helping Californians prepare for the growing impacts of climate change.

The good news is that we are not powerless in the face of these challenges. We can take action today – and we should! And that’s what climate action plans are all about.

We know firsthand the wildfire risk that comes with living in Southern California. We saw it with the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon in 2024‚ which ultimately burned more than 23‚000 acres across Orange and Riverside counties‚ and we have continued to see other vegetation fires throughout our region.

And as the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires showed us in January 2025‚ there really is no longer a traditional “fire season” in Southern California. Wildfire preparedness has to be a year‑round responsibility.

But wildfire risk is only one part of what families are dealing with. The availability and affordability of property insurance has become a major concern throughout California. That’s why I am hosting a webinar on this very important topic. I hope you can join us. 

To sign up to attend this free webinar‚ REGISTER HERE.

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

In partnership‚