What Have Your Three Local California Legislators Been Up To?

(L-R) Mike Fong, Sasha Renée Pérez and John Harabedian (Photos – assembly.ca.gov, senate.ca.gov, asmdc.org)

What have your three local California legislators been doing in the state legislature, and what new laws might Californians expect?

By Melissa Michelson

Let’s take a look:

– State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez

Since entering the California State Senate earlier this year, Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, a Democrat, has introduced 23 bills covering a range of issues including transportation, education, food insecurity, and disaster recovery. You can view the bills she’s working on at this link.

Perez serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee, which will soon hear AB 715. This bill seeks to redefine “antisemitism,” ban certain classroom materials, and disqualify teachers who violate the definition. As chair, Perez may question the bill’s authors—perhaps on how it impacts classroom debate—or even request that the bill be withdrawn, as occurred with a similar bill (AB 2918) last year.

Senate District 25 includes much of the San Gabriel Valley, encompassing cities like Upland and Rancho Cucamonga. Prior to becoming a state senator, Perez served a term on the Alhambra City Council from 2020 to 2024.

– Assemblymember Mike Fong

Democrat Mike Fong has represented Assembly District 49 since February 2022, filling the seat vacated by longtime Assemblymember Ed Chau. AD 49 includes South Pasadena, Alhambra, San Gabriel, San Marino, Arcadia, and other nearby cities.

Fong co-authored AB 715 and has introduced several other bills, including:

• AB 945, which offers density bonuses and building concessions for housing developments that exclude fossil fuel appliances or include an unspecified number of affordable units;
• AB 695, supporting deported community college students in continuing their education;
• AB 1287, a consumer protection bill focused on beer labeling and special event licensing.

You can follow his 18 active bills here: Assemblymember Fong Legislation.

Fong serves as Chair of the Higher Education Committee and is a member of several other committees.

– Assemblymember John Harabedian

John Harabedian, also a Democrat, is serving his first term in the State Assembly representing District 41, which includes Altadena, Pasadena, Claremont, and Sierra Madre. He previously served on the Sierra Madre City Council from 2012 to 2020. (District Map)

Since taking office, Harabedian has introduced legislation addressing electricity affordability and consumer protection. Examples include:

• AB 597, which aims to protect consumers from price gouging by public adjusters and from unfair insurance fees following a disaster;
• AB 238, a mortgage forbearance bill introduced in response to the Eaton Fire.

He was appointed Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, which evaluates the efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance of state agencies and programs. He also serves on several other committees.