Creating Change – August 2025

We’re in the home stretch of the legislative session, which ends on September 12. Honestly, the number of major bills that are being considered in these final weeks is mind boggling, and I have some of the most consequential bills on the docket. I’m proud of the partnerships—community leaders, labor, environmental groups, and everyday residents—that are helping shape policy that actually delivers for families across Senate District 13. Here are some highlights from this month and ways to get involved.

1. Press Conference on my Bill to Cut PG&E Profits and Lower Costs
2. California Acts to Protect Democracy
3. Game-Changing Becker Bills Being Decided Next Month
4. Opposing Federal Cuts to the University of California & Defending Research Funding
5. Local residents selected for statewide AI in K12 Education Workgroup established by Senator Becker’s bill last year
    

Senator Becker with San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier and representatives of Sustainable San Mateo, Acterra, Peninsula Clean Energy, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy.

On August 11, regional energy leaders joined me at a press conference to support my bill to reduce our energy bills, modernize our energy system, and cut into PG&E’s record profits. The Utility Reform Network (TURN) says it will create $8.8 billion in savings for ratepayers over ten years. Organizations like Sustainable San Mateo, Acterra, Peninsula Clean Energy, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy spoke on the importance of SB 254. Sarah Hubbard, Executive Director of Sustainable San Mateo, said that SB 254 “enables clean energy use to protect the environment, supports economic stability for households and businesses, and ensures that the benefits of our low carbon transition are shared equitably.” We held the press conference at El Concilio, a longtime Redwood City nonprofit that provides vital services and advocacy for immigrant families. You may have seen coverage on KTVU, KRON4, and KQED, and here's a link to the story from the San Mateo Daily Journal. Please stay engaged as we move it forward.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and State Legislative Democrats announcing legislation to preserve democratic representation. Not pictured: Congressman Pete Aguilar 

In the face of federal efforts to rig election results, we could not back down. Last week we approved urgency bills to authorize a special redistricting measure that would allow California voters to enact temporary Congressional district maps. Unlike Texas we are giving residents the final vote in November. This action is narrowly tailored, fully transparent, and built within the framework of the law. It would only take effect after approval by California voters and it does not affect any state legislative districts, and the lines for congressional districts in our area are not changing.

Pictured here: Senator Becker holding a press conference to discussion pending legislation.

We’re in the home stretch of the legislative session and I have some of the most consequential bills under consideration next month.

• SB 540: Will allow us to partner with other states to increase reliability, lower costs and reduce emissions. The CA Energy Commission said in a hearing this week that if this bill passes it will save ratepayers $10 billion over the next decade and decrease GHG emissions by 30%
• SB 541: Will use our existing grid more effectively and save over $550 Million per year.
• SB 306: Would solve a decades long battle about ‘Prior Authorization’ which health care insurance companies use to delay and deny care. A partnership with the California Medical Association.
• SB 338: This bill was the winner of my “There Ought to be a Law” competition and builds on the successful Equity Express Bus on the San Mateo Coast. It launches two more Virtual Health Hub pilots to bring mobile and telehealth services—medical, mental-health, and wellness resources—directly to farmworkers in two rural counties.

The Trump administration’s decision to slash $1 billion federal support for the University of California and hold critical research funding hostage under the guise of combatting antisemitism is not only disingenuous but an attack on our future. We must speak out. You can see the statement from UC and from the Jewish Caucus here we are fighting back. Cutting funding for university research does far more than inconvenience professors and graduate students. It jeopardizes lifesaving health research, stalls innovation that creates good local jobs, and undermines the partnerships between our public universities and companies that spin out new therapies, clean-energy technologies, and advanced manufacturing. When federal dollars disappear, projects stop, clinical trials slow, graduate researchers lose fellowships, and small companies lose the pipeline of talent and ideas they depend on. This delays treatments, reduces economic opportunities, and communities fall further behind. We must defend the University of California system, and protect funding for health and scientific research.

As our TK-12 schools navigate the new technological landscape presented by Artificial Intelligence, our educational community will need to figure out if, how, and when to use new capabilities. Last year, I authored SB 1288, which created the Artificial Intelligence in Education Workgroup to vet concerns about AI in schools, guide the implementation of AI in our state’s schools and work on necessary safeguards. The California Department of Education recently announced the members who will serve on the AI in Education Workgroup. I am pleased to congratulate the three SD 13 constituents selected for the workgroup:

• Patricia Love, trustee, San Mateo County Board of Education
• Robert Bauer, trustee, Portola Valley School District,
• Samhita Laxman, student member, Gunn High School

Patricia, Bob, and Samhita were selected from a group of 600 applicants, and I am confident that their selection reflects their strong qualifications and the valuable insights they will contribute to the workgroup. For more information about the role of AI in California TK-12 education, click here.

Becker pushes SB 254 to slash utility bills, speed clean energy
(Redwood City Pulse, August 13, 2025)

California lawmakers have a radical idea for lowering electricity bills
(Canary Media, August 7, 2025)

Newsom’s Tightrope Walk Between AI Regulation and Silicon Valley Cash
(KQED, August 19, 2025)

PG&E projects rate drop in 2026, SB 254 moves through legislation for bill relief
(KCRC, August 16, 2025)

New Becker bill aiming to lower electricity costs
(San Mateo Daily Journal, August 13, 2025)

 

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact my district office at (650) 233-2724.

Sincerely,
Senator Josh Becker