SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A bill by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) to foster better communication between schools and law enforcement to identify threats to student safety passed the Emergency Management Committee today.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) issued the following statement regarding the death of Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Hoppert:

“I am heartbroken about the sudden, tragic passing of Deputy Hoppert in the line of duty, and I stand with the Central Valley in honoring his service to the people of Tulare Country and the State of California. I send my deepest condolences to Deputy Hoppert’s family, friends and colleagues mourning his tragic and untimely death. His bravery will never be forgotten.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A bill by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) to bring critical state investment to rail infrastructure in the Central Valley passed the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee by a bipartisan unanimous vote today.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A bill supported by police chiefs and authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) to prevent criminals convicted of having ghost guns from buying, possessing or owning a firearm within 10 years of their convictions passed out of a Senate committee today. The bill, SB 1220 – the Peace Officer Protection Act – will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee that oversees California’s tax administering agencies, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) today pushed for a fuel tax credit budget proposal that will boost California’s economy and help maintain skilled and trained jobs in the energy sector.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) announced today that she has recognized Corcoran Police Chief Margarita “Maggie” Ochoa as the 16th Senate District Woman of the Year.

Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) today led a bipartisan budget oversight hearing that examined the budgets and operations of key California state departments that are charged with protecting California consumers.

SACRAMENTO, Calif – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) released the following statement after news reports indicated that the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned California police departments about Iranian drone threats in February: