Berman Bulletin: Legislative Success and Community Events
I am excited to share an update on my 2025 bill package, as well as events we have organized throughout Assembly District 23. But before I do, I know many of you are horrified by the events we have seen over the last week. I am too.
This is a very scary time for America. President Trump and his administration are hell-bent on bullying, intimidating, and threatening hard-working immigrant communities not because they need to, but because they want to. It makes them feel tough snatching people with no criminal record and separating parents who have lived in America for decades from their children and their communities.
But they aren’t satisfied with terrorizing undocumented immigrants. They want elected officials to fear them, to literally bend the knee. When Senator Alex Padilla tried to ask questions of a Trump Administration official at a public press conference, he was shoved out of the room, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed.
Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, and Pete Hegseth are no different than the sheriffs in the pre-Civil Rights south who would exploit any excuse to use excessive force and violence to intimidate and terrorize black communities. These are not American values. They are continued steps in the authoritarian playbook. It should be horrifying for anyone who loves this country and our democracy.
Sincerely,
Marc Berman
Assemblymember, 23rd District
In this Newsletter:
- Legislative Updates:
- Safeguarding our Elections
- Access to Education
- Safer Communities
- In Sacramento:
- Nonprofit of the Year
- Around Town in AD23:
- Community Coffees in Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, & Pacifica
- Inaugural Trail Talks with Marc
Legislative Updates
The 2025-26 Legislative Session is off to a busy start, and 16 of my bills have passed out of the Assembly and are on their way to the Senate. I’ve highlighted a few below. To learn more about my entire 2025 legislative bill package, including bills I’ve mentioned in prior newsletters to hold PG&E accountable for what they charge to ratepayers and close the puppy mill pipeline to California once and for all, please visit my website below.
Safeguarding our Elections
AB 5 – Elections Transparency and Accountability
California has one of the most accessible, secure, and transparent voting systems in the country. There is much to be proud of, but these pro-democracy policies can often cause the ballot counting process to take a very long time. This delay, while a byproduct of good policies, also creates an opportunity for bad actors to sow doubt about our election results and erode confidence in our democracy.
I have authored AB 5, which seeks to have the vast majority of ballots counted by the 10th day after the election, allowing the public to know the results in almost all races. My goal is to increase transparency in our vote count process to give voters and the public even more confidence, while maintaining our nation-leading voting rights. AB 5 passed out of the Assembly with bipartisan support and is now headed to the Senate Elections committee.
Access to Education
AB 887 - Computer Science Education for All
When I first introduced the Computer Science Education for All Act two years ago, California was behind 27 other states that have already committed to ensuring every high school student has access to computer science education. My last two efforts have been blocked in the State Senate, and California is now behind 32 states that have Computer Science for All policies, with eleven states going a step further and requiring computer science for graduation. The reality is that far too many California students grow up in the shadows of tech companies, yet go to schools that don’t even offer them the chance to learn the skills they need to one day work there.
This is an uphill battle, but I am committed to continuing this fight to expand access to computer science in every public high school throughout California. AB 887 passed out of the Assembly and is now headed to the Senate Education committee.
Safer Communities
AB 382 - Safer School Zones Act
This year I am continuing the fight to prioritize the safety of every child walking and biking to and from school. I’ve heard from too many parents concerned about close calls in front of schools or, tragically, kids being hit by cars and seriously injured or even killed.
Research shows that reducing speed limits in school zones can bring significant safety benefits by limiting the harm done or even preventing crashes that could lead to fatalities or serious injury. Of the 39 states that set a maximum school zone speed by statute, California is one of just eight states with a school zone speed limit greater than 20 mph. California’s school zone policies are an outlier – and not in a good way. To protect all kids, parents, teachers, and school staff, we must slow down. AB 382 will increase student safety in school zones through lower speed limits and new tools for cities to help drivers slow down. AB 382 passed out of the Assembly and is now headed to the Senate Transportation committee.
AB 1078 – Preserving California’s Strong Firearm Laws
California has one of the strongest firearm laws in the country and these laws save lives – approximately 2,000 lives a year in comparison to the nationwide average. I am proud to partner with Attorney General Rob Bonta to author legislation that will continue to keep our communities safe. AB 1078 makes various improvements to California’s concealed carry weapons licensing laws and establishes a limit to the number of firearms a person can buy in a 30-day period. California is a leader when it comes to gun violence prevention, and AB 1078 makes necessary changes to align our legislation with a recent Supreme Court ruling, while remaining protective of public safety. AB 1078 passed out of the Assembly and is now headed to the Senate Public Safety committee.
In Sacramento
Nonprofit of the Year: Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County
I was honored to recognize the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County as Assembly District 23’s “Nonprofit of the Year.” It was wonderful to welcome representatives to Sacramento and present the Legal Aid Society with a resolution recognizing their tireless advocacy for underrepresented individuals in our community.
As an attorney, I know firsthand that strong representation can make the difference when trying to navigate a complex legal system, and it is too often unavailable to those who need it most. Especially at a time when both marginalized communities and the legal profession are under unprecedented attack by our federal government, legal aid clinics are a shining light, ensuring that everyone has access to zealous representation.
Congratulations to the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, and thank you for your outstanding contributions to the community.
Around Town in AD23
Community Coffees in Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, and Pacifica
Our Community Coffees are fantastic opportunities to connect with constituents, discuss legislative priorities, and hear directly from community members about issues that matter to them, while also enjoying delicious pastries and a cup of coffee from local establishments.
Conversations range from new bill ideas that would create better public transit options, to budget suggestions, to how decisions at the federal level are impacting Californians. It's these conversations that directly shape what I do in Sacramento. This year we’ve held great community coffees in Half Moon Bay, Palo Alto, and Pacifica. Stay tuned for future opportunities to connect.
Trail Talks with Marc
In May, we held our first “Trail Talks with Marc” community hike at Cloverdale Ranch. A special thank you to Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for hosting us and to everyone who came out and made this event such a success. Our hike on the beautiful San Mateo coast was a wonderful opportunity to discuss important issues while also taking in the amazing scenery around us. Hiking through Cloverdale Ranch for our first trail talk was especially significant, as I secured $8 million in the state budget to help the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District purchase the land. I am looking forward to many more opportunities to enjoy to great outdoors with our community!
