Hi friends,
Happy Spring! I hope you're enjoying the season of renewal and growth. May also marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a reminder to check in with ourselves and with those we love and have honest conversations about how we're feeling. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please don't hesitate to call or text 988.
Starting this month, you'll hear from me monthly rather than quarterly. A lot is happening at the Capitol and throughout our district--and now more than ever, it's important to stay engaged and informed.
While this year has brought challenges--from economic uncertainty to rising fears nationally--I remain inspired by our communities' and local leaders' strength and compassion. Together, we continue to lead with our values.
Past Events
Thank you to everyone who has joined me at events across Assembly District 28 this year--from Community Conversations to Paws & Policy. Your insights help shape my work in Sacramento, and I'm deeply grateful for every conversation.
In April, I hosted a Wildfire Insurance Webinar with Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Amy Bach of United Policyholders. We covered key resources, insurance challenges, and how to avoid wildfire-related scams. You can watch the recorded event [here].
Honoring Women of the Year--and the Women Who Shape Us
With Mother's Day around the corner, I've reflected on the women who guide, support, and inspire us. In March, our office recognized 13 outstanding Women of the Year whose work uplifts communities across AD 28.
This is one of my favorite events of the year, because the main qualification to be honored is impact. Whether within a family, a workplace, or the broader community, each woman demonstrates leadership that genuinely makes a difference.
Please take a moment to read about our 2025 honorees and submit your nomination for 2026!
Upcoming Events
Wildfire Home Hardening Town Hall - May 15
May is Wildfire Preparedness Month, and I'm teaming up with San Jose Councilmember George Casey for an important town hall on how to protect your home and community. Join us in person or online to hear from:
- Fire Safe Council
- San Jose Fire Department
- Santa Clara County Fire Department
- Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
- UC ANR Fire Network
- Komodo Fire Systems
Almaden Community Center | 6:15-8:30 PM
RSVP here to attend in-person
📺 Livestream will be available [here]
Other Community Events This Month
📜 Legislative Updates
This year, I've introduced 15 bills aimed at strengthening our communities, focusing on tenants' rights, support for children, and protection of our elections.
AB 1025 - The Standby Caretaker Act
This bill would give families a new legal tool to plan for emergencies and reduce the trauma of family separation. I'm grateful to Supervisor Sylvia Arenas and Dilza Gonzales of Sacred Heart Community Services for coming to the Capitol to share their powerful stories in support. Thanks to their advocacy, AB 1025 passed the Judiciary Committee with near-unanimous support and is now headed to Appropriations.
Housing Bills in Progress
- AB 282 would allow housing providers to establish a preference for renting to housing voucher households, potentially expanding housing opportunities for low-income renters.
- AB 723 would require that all virtually staged real estate listings for sale include an easy to see and obvious label that indicates that the photo has been virtually staged.
- AB 414 would require landlords to return deposits to tenants via e-transfer if they have previously used it as a method of payment with the tenant.
Constituent Services
As your elected representative, I'm here to serve you in various ways. One of the most important is helping you navigate issues with state agencies.
Whether it's the DMV, Franchise Tax Board, EDD, or another state department, we're here to help. Contact my office through my website or by calling:
📍 San Jose District Office: (408) 264-2848
📍 Santa Cruz District Office: (831) 425-1503
You can also visit our offices--call ahead to make an appointment so staff are ready to assist.
Please don't hesitate to reach out. My team is ready to support you however we can.
Gail Pellerin
Assemblymember, District 28
