Sacramento, Calif. (August 28, 2026)— La senadora Melissa Hurtado está instando a California y a los condados del Valle Central a hacer de la ciberdefensa una prioridad inmediata tras la publicación de una nueva carta abierta firmada por más de 100 de las principales empresas de tecnología, ciberseguridad, finanzas e infraestructura del mundo, que advierte que existe una “ventana limitada para fortalecer las defensas cibernéticas.”
Sacramento, Calif. (August 28, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado is urging California and Central Valley counties to make cyber defense an immediate priority following a new open letter signed by more than 100 of the world’s leading technology, cybersecurity, financial and infrastructure companies warning that there is a “limited window to strengthen cyber defenses.”
Sacramento, Calif. (August 25, 2026)—Legislation authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) strengthening California’s network of Family Resource Centers and supporting early intervention efforts to prevent child abuse was signed into law on Monday by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Senate Bill 557 modernizes California’s definition of a Family Resource Center to better reflect the role these community-based organizations play in helping families navigate difficult circumstances.
Sacramento, Calif. (August 20, 2026)— Senator Melissa Hurtado’s SB 661 cleared a major legislative hurdle after passing the Assembly with unanimous support, moving California one step closer to strengthening regional airports, modernizing aviation infrastructure and expanding air service across the state.
The Assembly amended SB 661 before passage, sending the measure back to the Senate. The bill is expected to first be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee before moving forward for a concurrence vote on the Senate Floor.
Sacramento, Calif. (August 10, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) is leading a coalition of 32 legislators urging Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders to restore wage parity between sheep and goat herders, warning that the current wage structure threatens California jobs and an increasingly important wildfire prevention tool.
The legislative letter calls on the Governor and state leaders to work with lawmakers to restore wage parity for sheep and goat herders and maintain prescribed grazing as a viable wildfire resilience strategy.
Sacramento, Calif. (June 25, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield), announced the passage of ACA 20, the Save for California’s Future Act, a constitutional amendment she authored to strengthen California’s Rainy Day Fund and better prepare the state for economic uncertainty.
Sacramento, Calif. (June 19, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) issued the following statement in response to reported cyber threats against water systems in Bakersfield and other Central Valley communities by an Iran-linked hacker group:
“The reported threat against Bakersfield and other Central Valley water systems must be taken seriously. When a foreign-linked hacker group claims it could have cut off water to American cities, it is not just a local concern — it is a national security warning.
Sacramento, Calif. (June 1, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) has been named the recipient of the 2026 LocalMotion Elected Official of the Year by the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG). The Senator’s focus on transportation priorities in the Central Valley has led to improved safety, increased economic vitality and critical infrastructure investments.