Inside the California Senate: San Diego Senators Proposed Bills

By Lora Sicalo

As the fall legislative session continues, California’s senators are introducing and debating a wide range of bills, from protecting coastlines to reshaping housing and regulating artificial intelligence. Here’s a look at what our San Diego senators have been up to, what their bills mean for local communities, and how their constituents are responding.

Senator Catherine Blakespear - District 38

SB-29: Coastal Relocation & Erosion Prevention

Senator Blakespear is no stranger to tackling environmental issues, and her newest proposal, SB-29, looks directly at the state’s eroding coastlines. The bill would pay homeowners in high-risk erosion zones, like Del Mar and Encinitas, to relocate inland. It also bans new development in designated “danger zones” and funds dune, wetland, and shoreline restoration with a $1 million budget from the General Fund.

For San Diego County, this could mean fewer cliff collapses and more coastal restoration projects, but it also limits future construction along prized oceanfront property. Eligible residents who move within two years could receive up to $5,000 in relocation incentives.

“If it means fewer cliff collapses and more beaches left to walk on, I’m all for it,” said Brittany Meza, 41, of Oceanside.

The bill has yet to face its first vote, but it’s already sparking heated debate over how much the state should spend to defend its shifting shoreline.

SB-58: Surplus Crop Redistribution — (Failed 4-6)

Earlier this month, Blakespear teamed with Senator Grove on SB-58, a pilot program to buy surplus crops from farmers at 30% of market value and redistribute them to schools, food banks, and nonprofits. The $1.8 million plan promised to cut food waste and combat hunger, but ultimately failed in committee.

Proponents saw it as a creative win-win: farmers get compensated, and food goes to communities in need. Opponents questioned government spending and program efficiency.

“You mean we actually get paid for our ugly tomatoes? That’s the best idea I’ve heard all year.” said Stanley McCarty, 72, of Carlsbad.

Even though SB-58 didn’t pass, it solidified Blakespear’s image as a senator focused on environmental and food sustainability.

Senator Weber Pierson – District 39

SB-1: The Home Act Expansion

Senator Weber Pierson is taking on California’s housing crisis head-on. Her SB-1 expands the existing Home Act, allowing single-family lots to be split into four units instead of two. Local governments could offer fee waivers and faster permits to encourage development, a move that’s already stirred debate across San Diego.

District 39, home to many central San Diego neighborhoods, could see new fourplexes rise where single homes once stood.

“Finally, something bold on housing affordability,” said Josh Peck, 35, of El Cajon.

“Four homes on one lot? Sounds like noisy neighborhoods and zero parking,” complained George Larson, 84, of Mount Helix.

SB-24: Homeless Housing and Mental Health Reform

Her second major bill, SB-24 (co-sponsored by Senator Megan Dahle), builds on California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention program. It mandates that at least 10% of HHAP funds go directly toward building or expanding shelters and providing on-site mental-health care.

San Diego could be among the first counties to benefit, given its high unsheltered population. But even as residents welcome the idea, many question where those shelters will fit.

“Finally, real shelter beds and mental health support, not just empty promises,” said Lois Lane, 45, of La Mesa.

Together, SB-1 and SB-24 position Weber Pierson as a leading voice on housing and homelessness.

Senator Brian Jones - District 40

SB-22: Marriage Tax Fairness Act

Senator Jones introduced SB-22 to expand California’s joint tax brackets from double to 2.25× the single filer rate. The idea is to help married couples keep more income, buy homes, and support family growth, though it comes at a $2 billion price tag in lost state revenue.

For middle class families in District 40, the bill could offer real savings. But some worry that the benefits stop short of the upper-middle class and older couples, and that reduced revenue could tighten budgets for schools and infrastructure.

“So we’re rewarding couples for staying together? I guess that’s one way to lower the divorce rate,” joked Carson Mick, 35, of Poway.

SB-40: Expanding ASVAB Access

Another of Senator Brian Jones’s proposals, SB-40, would make the ASVAB career assessment available at every California high school starting in the 2026–27 school year. The test would remain optional for students but guaranteed to be offered statewide.

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) evaluates skills and aptitudes for both civilian and military careers, guiding students toward potential job fields rather than college placement.

In a military heavy region like San Diego, the idea has been well-received among teachers who view it as a low-cost way to connect students with trade, defense, and technical careers. Still, it’s drawn criticism from those wary of increasing military presence in schools.

“If it’s free and optional, why not? More choices never hurt,” said Catherine Ward, a teacher at Santana High School in Santee.

“Feels like a backdoor recruiting tool, not an opportunity,” said Max Lang, 21, an SDSU student.

Senator Steve Padilla - District 18

SB-25: The AI Frontier Safeguards Act

Padilla’s SB-25, co-sponsored with Senators Wiener and Stern, tackles a cutting-edge issue: artificial intelligence safety. The bill doesn’t allocate new funds but directs the state to develop ethical and safety guidelines for powerful AI systems that could affect the economy or public well-being.

In San Diego, home to many tech and defense companies, that could mean more oversight and transparency. It might also open opportunities for jobs in AI policy and compliance.

SB-46: The Salton Sea Research Grant

Padilla’s environmental leadership continued with SB-46, which passed unanimously (10–0) on October 24. The bill funds UC San Diego’s first Salton Sea Research Cohort, a post-graduate team studying ways to save the shrinking sea. With $2 million a year from the General Fund, it aims to improve air quality and public health in affected desert communities.

“It’s great to see science leading the way and San Diego at the center of it!” said Justin Wright, UCSD professor.

Closing Thoughts

From coastlines to classrooms and farms to fourplexes, San Diego senators are shaping debates that stretch far beyond their districts. Whether these bills pass or fail, they show the range of policy priorities defining California’s next generation of lawmakers.

If the early months of this session are any indication, the rest of the year promises a mix of innovation, disagreement, and, hopefully, a few bipartisan breakthroughs.