SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Melissa Hurtado (D–Bakersfield) is celebrating the passage of the majority of her Common Sense Plan by a full Senate vote as the bills are now eligible for voting, and passage, by the California Assembly.

The bills passed by the Senate were:

SB 224 – Preventing Artificial Water Shortages Act

Stops wasteful water releases to the ocean by requiring DWR to adopt better forecasting tools. Prevents artificial shortages that raise prices. Keeping more water in the Valley where it’s needed most.

SB 295 – CA Fair Pricing Act

Targets the misuse of AI and algorithm-driven pricing tools that drive up costs. Cracks down on secret price coordination. Technology shouldn’t be used to rip people off.

Senate Bill 297 - Valley Fever Early Detection Act: Expands Valley Fever screenings across the Central Valley and ensures insurance coverage. Catches the disease early before it spreads, protecting the health of farmworkers, families, and frontline communities.

Senate Bill 317 – Wastewater Surveillance & Preparedness Act: Improves the state’s ability to detect emerging health threats like Avian Flu through wastewater monitoring. Focuses on vulnerable and underserved areas. A smart, low-cost way to stop outbreaks before they spread.

Senate Bill 345 – State Fire Training Accessibility Act: Allows the State Fire Marshal to accept additional funding for firefighter training programs easing the financial burden on the local firefighter workforce. Firefighters protect us and we should invest in them.

Senate Bill 444 – the GROW Act: Strengthens California’s commitment to the Human Right to Food. Supports the expansion of locally grown, affordable food in every region. No one should go hungry in the state that feeds the world.

SB 556 – Flood Protection and Groundwater Recharge Act

The Central Valley faces both floods and droughts. This bill invests in floodplain restoration to protect homes and recharge groundwater bringing real water security to Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties.

SB 647 – Home Energy Savings Expansion Act

Expands eligibility and simplifies access to low-income energy efficiency programs. Cuts administrative costs and delivers real savings to working families. Clean energy should be affordable energy.

SB 661 – AERO Act

Redirects aviation fuel tax revenue to further support airports in modernizing infrastructure, attracting new air service, and meeting growing passenger and cargo demands, specifically prioritizing Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield.

SB 763 – Better Business Lower Prices Act

Strengthens penalties for antitrust violations like price-fixing and anti-competitive behavior. Protects small businesses from getting crushed by illegal practices. Big business shouldn’t play by different rules.

Senate Bill 446 – Consumer Data Protection and Notification Act: Requires prompt notification to consumers when their personal data has been compromised.

Senate Bill 593 – VOLT Act: Requires utilities to notify customers of power surges and provide a system to report damages.

Senator Melissa Hurtado is Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and currently represents the 16th Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties. Website of Senator Melissa Hurtado https://sd16.senate.ca.gov/

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