CA Legislative Update from Senator Dave Cortese
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As the 2026 legislative session continues to progress, I want to share a few of my priority bills and how I’m working to deliver results for Senate District 15 residents like you.
This year, I am advancing a focused set of proposals to expand affordable housing, improve public safety, strengthen education funding, and modernize transportation and clean energy infrastructure. Importantly, many of these ideas are rooted directly in our community—shaped and proposed by everyday residents of District 15 who shared their experiences and solutions.
Together, we are turning local insight into statewide action. Here are a few key proposals:
Senate Bill 750 – Unlocking Affordable Housing Financing Solutions
California has a massive shortage of affordable housing estimated as high as 3 million homes for low-income households.
SB 750 helps unlock stalled, shovel-ready housing projects by leveraging the state’s credit to expand affordable housing production and reduce homelessness. This will enable the production of thousands of affordable housing units that are ready to be constructed.
Senate Bill 1215 – Electrical Vehicle (EV) Charging Expansion
According to the California Energy Commission (CEC), approximately 313,000 EV chargers will be needed at multifamily residences like apartments by 2030, with an additional 264,000 required by 2035 to meet the projected demand. That’s on top of the estimated 6 million apartments that do not offer on-site electrical charging.
SB 1215 addresses this shortage of EV chargers at multifamily housing, prioritizing installations in high-density and transit-oriented communities.
Senate Bill 1250 – Wildlife-Vehicle Roadway Safety
Researchers indicate that there are more than 7,000 reported wildlife-vehicle collisions each year on California’s highways and roadways. This includes deer and other large animals – causing significant costs and safety risks for drivers.
SB 1250 will help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by integrating wildlife crossings into highway planning and infrastructure improvements, making them safer for motorists and wildlife as well.
Senate Bill 1392 – Classic Car Smog Exemption
As the proud owner of three classic cars, I introduced Senate Bill 1392 which would provide smog check exemptions for classic and collectible vehicles manufactured from 1976 through the 1981 model year, and then adding one additional model year each year, through 1985 by 2032. Classic and collectible cars are part of California’s automotive industry shared with the public through community events, parades, and other festivities.
Although my own cars are older than 1985 and already exempt, this bill will provide critical relief for another generation of classic and collectible car enthusiasts.
SB 1392 is referred to as “Jay Leno’s Law” and is joint authored by CA State Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) giving it bipartisan support. Senator Grove and I visited Jay Leno’s garage in Burbank, CA to announce the introduction of the bill. You may view the video announcement here.
We encourage fellow classic and collectible car enthusiasts to submit a Letter of Support using the California Legislature’s Position Letter Portal here.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 129 – Rusty Areias Highway
Honors former Assemblyman Rusty Areias by designating a portion of Highway 152 in his name. He authored over 100 bills signed into law and helped secure $150 million for improvements to Highway 152 over Pacheco Pass— making safe a critical corridor for commerce and travel, which was once known as “Blood Alley.” SCR 129 is co-authored by 23 legislative members.
Senate Resolution 93 – NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Effort for Jim Plunkett
On Monday, April 20th, I will be presenting my Senate Resolution 93 (SR 93) before my Senate colleagues during Floor Session in honor and recognition of San José native and two-time Super Bowl champion, Jim Plunkett, on his induction into the inaugural class of the NFL Alumni Hispanic Hall of Fame.
A Heisman Trophy winner at Stanford University and the first Hispanic player selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, Jim went on to lead the Las Vegas Raiders franchise to two Super Bowl victories, earning Super Bowl XV MVP honors and making history as the first quarterback who is Hispanic to win a Super Bowl.
Jim is the only eligible quarterback with two Super Bowl wins as a starter who has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With SR 93, I hope to elevate his legacy and help propel him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame where he rightly belongs.
To learn more about these and other proposals, please visit my website.
Sincerely,
 |
Dave Cortese, Senator
California State Senate – District 15