SACRAMENTO, CA – Following major disease outbreaks that exposed dangerous gaps in California’s public health infrastructure, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D–Bakersfield) is calling for urgent action to modernize the state’s disease surveillance systems and protect frontline communities. As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and architect of California’s One Health Framework, Hurtado is backing budget proposals she helped shape—proposals that reflect years of work to shift the state from reactive crisis management to proactive public safety.

“The Valley can’t be last in line—again. These investments are about fairness, safety, and preparedness. The 2024 bird flu outbreak devastated our region and made it clear: California is not prepared,” said Senator Hurtado. “Most systems fail to track the root causes of disease. That’s why I’m pushing for a smarter, more resilient approach—one that connects data, people, and rapid response.”

In two letters to state budget leaders, Senator Hurtado is urging full funding for:

• The One Health Budget Change Proposal (BCP 8570-071), which advances a tiered, data-driven surveillance model that includes environmental, zoonotic, and socioeconomic risk factors. The proposal calls for equitable distribution of lab and IT infrastructure, especially in underserved regions like the Central Valley, and the hiring of cross-trained epidemiologists who understand both public health and agricultural systems.
• A complementary proposal to expand California’s Wastewater Surveillance Program, a key early-detection tool for diseases like H5N1. Following the sudden withdrawal of WastewaterSCAN in 2024—leaving more than 20 sites inactive, including many in agricultural counties—Hurtado is calling for a state-led, independent system that can’t be pulled away at a moment’s notice.

A Los Angeles Times investigation earlier this year revealed that Tulare, Merced, and Kings counties had no wastewater monitoring for H5N1, despite being near confirmed outbreaks. Hurtado is calling for expanded lab capacity, pilot programs for wastewater testing on farms and food facilities, and the creation of biosecurity auditor roles to monitor disease risks at the ground level.

“California’s most at-risk communities—especially those in the Central Valley—continue to be overlooked,” said Hurtado. “We cannot rely on federal templates that don’t reflect our state’s unique needs. These investments are about fairness, safety, and preparedness.”

Senator Hurtado has long led the Legislature’s efforts in this space:

• In 2022, she authored SB 1029, which laid the foundation for California’s One Health Framework—a statewide strategy to integrate animal, human, and environmental health.
• She followed with SB 317 (2025), focused on Wastewater Surveillance and Preparedness, which inspired the budget public health proposal now before the Legislature.

In this presentation, Senator Hurtado highlights the importance of the One Health approach in California. Watch here: YouTube Video Watch Senator Hurtado chair the Senate hearing on Avian Flu here.

“We wrote the blueprint. We passed the laws. Now it’s time to fund the solutions—fairly and fully,” said Hurtado. “If we want to keep our people safe and our food system strong, we must invest in the places that do the work—and face the risk.”

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