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:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) today led a bipartisan Senate Budget Subcommittee hearing in an examination of the state of homelessness in California and how state departments are implementing homeless programs and spending public dollars to address homelessness in California.