May 2026 Newsletter – Office of Senator Bob Archuleta

Breaking Ground on a New Path to Mental Health Care in Norwalk

Today, we marked a major milestone for our region by breaking ground on the Los Angeles County Care Community at the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk, a transformative step forward in addressing our region’s mental health crisis.

This project was made possible by SB 1336, legislation I authored to allow Los Angeles County to lease six unused state buildings and convert them into a comprehensive mental health care village. Once complete, this site will provide critical treatment, supportive housing, and essential services to individuals who need it most.

I’m grateful to Governor Gavin Newsom for signing this bill into law, and to Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose leadership, advocacy, and commitment to expanding mental health services were instrumental in turning this vision into reality. Her work alongside the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health helped move this project from concept to construction.

What started as an idea, to repurpose unused buildings, has become a promise of hope. This campus will soon be a place of care, healing, and stability for those facing mental health challenges.

Senator Bob Archuleta is pictured with County and State officials at the groundbreaking of the Los Angeles County Care Community at the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk.

Districtwide Series of Legislative Updates Begins

Staying connected with the people I serve is one of the most important parts of my work in the State Senate. I recently had the opportunity to host two legislative updates in Norwalk and Montebello – just the beginning of many more community conversations I look forward to holding across the 30th Senate District.

In Montebello, I hosted a “Coffee with the Senator” at Polly’s Pies, where residents and city officials joined me for a brief legislative update and meaningful conversations about the issues impacting the community. I’m grateful to Polly’s Pies for their partnership and for helping create a welcoming space for open dialogue.

In Norwalk, I held a meet-and-greet legislative update at Mr. Rosewood Family Restaurant, joined by city officials, members of the Norwalk Chamber, and constituents. These conversations are critical to ensuring that the work we do in Sacramento reflects the real needs and priorities of our communities.

I look forward to continuing this work and hosting more events throughout the district in the months ahead.

Senator Bob Archuleta is pictured meeting in Montebello with constituents during a “Coffee with the Senator,” event, which is one in a series of legislative updates.

Standing Up for Our Veterans: Advancing Senate Bill 1407

I was proud to stand alongside my colleague Senator Catherine Blakespear, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Rear Admiral David Boon (Ret.), and a broad coalition of leaders and supporters at the USS Midway Museum to highlight my Senate Bill 1407.

This legislation is about doing right by the men and women who have served our nation with honor. Far too often, our military retirees and their families face financial pressures that make it difficult to remain in California – the very state they helped defend.

SB 1407 takes meaningful action by fully exempting military retirement and survivor pay from state income tax. This tax relief will help veterans and their families afford to stay, work, and build their futures here in our state.

For too long, rising costs have forced too many of our military retirees to leave California in search of more affordable options elsewhere. That is simply unacceptable.

We must honor their service not just with words, but with action. SB 1407 is a step toward ensuring that California remains a place where those who served can continue to thrive.

Senator Bob Archuleta is pictured (center at the podium) with his colleagues and veterans and their families speaking on his legislation.

Honoring Victims and Strengthening the Fight Against DUI

At the Orange County District Attorney’s Office 2026 Crime Victims’ Rights Ceremony, themed “Driven to Despair: The Deadly Devastation of Driving Under the Influence,” I stood alongside survivors, families, and advocates to honor the lives impacted by crime and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice.

This year’s focus on strengthening DUI laws is deeply personal to me. I understand the pain of loss, and I carry my granddaughter’s memory with me every day. That experience continues to guide my work in the Legislature, including authoring Senate Bill 907 to save lives and help prevent other families from enduring this kind of heartbreak.

Hearing directly from victims and their loved ones is a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Their voices strengthen our resolve and underscore the urgency of taking action to protect our communities.

We must continue pushing forward, working together to strengthen our laws, support victims, and stand up for those who need it most.

Senator Bob Archuleta speaks at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office 2026 Crime Victims’ Rights Ceremony.

SB 623/ SCA 4 – Each would allow veteran homeowners to stack the veterans’ exemption and the homeowners’ exemption. The bill and SCA would also modernize the veterans’ exemption by removing arbitrary limitations a veteran must meet to qualify for the exemption.

SB 804 – The Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, will require the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to adopt safety standards for hydrogen pipelines to ensure that any new hydrogen pipeline infrastructure is designed and built to prevent leakage.

SB 907 Strengthens California’s DUI enforcement and sentencing laws, particularly for repeat offenders. The bill includes 5 provisions that will protect California families from drunk drivers, improve road safety, hold repeat serial offenders accountable, close loopholes in existing law, and prevent future tragedies from occurring.

SB 920 – Enhances transparency, accountability, and fiscal integrity in the implementation of regulatory fees under California’s Gambling Control Act. By requiring published statements of purpose and cost basis summaries, SB 920 advances good governance practices that promote greater transparency in fee adoption and expenditure and protect the integrity of regulatory funding mechanisms.

SB 962 – Authorizes the placement of blue emergency lights on all parole officer vehicles. Modeled after existing CDCR policy for managerial-level officers, this bill grants greater protection to rank-and-file parole officers who are most often on the front lines of potentially dangerous situations. SB 962 is inspired by the tragic loss of Parole Agent Joshua Byrd, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 17, 2025.

SB 1001 – Requires the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to issue identification cards to essential utility workers, granting those workers easier access to evacuation zones during an emergency. This bill is inspired by the experiences of countless utility workers during the Eaton Fire, including employees of Rowland Water District who were denied access to evacuation zones and could not assist with response efforts.

SB 1112 – Strives to protect consumers and businesses from “bandit” towing companies, fraudsters that manipulate or trick a consumer into handing over their vehicle and then hold the vehicle hostage for up to tens of thousands of dollars. This bill will make it easier for consumers to recover their cars and for the state to hold these bad actors accountable.

SB 1124 – will ensure tobacco consumers are made aware of lung cancer screenings available to qualifying consumers by requiring notice of these screenings and requirements are available to consumers at the point of sale. This bill will ensure those harmed by addiction begin their path to care.

SB 1188 – Will provide much needed clarity to students and education institutions alike by clarifying students participating in independent study, homeschooling, and other educational institutions can access their local schools JROTC program if not offered by their current placement. While federal code guarantees students enrolled in independent studies access to JROTC programs at their local schools, they are being turned away from their local schools and unable to participate.

SB 1262 – Will prohibit community colleges from having an unrestricted financial reserve of over 50% of its annual operating budget unless the district provides their part time faculty health insurance, pays part time faculty for office hours, and provides that 75% of its teaching hours are taught by full time faculty. It ensures that community colleges don’t hoard bloated reserves at the expense of their faculty and potential student services.

SB 1274 – California is home to a small number of very unique cities that have a higher daytime population than residential population. This typically occurs when a city is primarily zoned for industrial use and is experiencing large numbers of workers commuting to and from the city every day. In recent years, these industrial cities have formed a coalition to better advocate for themselves and their unique needs. SB 1274 legitimizes their status by creating an official definition of “industrial city” in state code.

SB 1320 – Prohibits the use of UCC-1 financial filings against residential owner-occupied real property. This bill will reduce uncertainty in real property sales and protect homeowners and home buyers from have their transactions delayed because of hidden liens against the property.

SB 1407 – Will exclude military retirement pay and income from personal gross income. It seeks to incentivize veterans to stay in California and seek second careers guaranteeing their further investment into the state’s economy while supplying our highly skilled workforce. As retention challenges grow, we must recognize that fiscal policy plays a role in long-term enlistment decisions.

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity within the 30th Senate District and throughout the region continues, it is important for residents to be informed, prepared, and protected.

My office remains committed to standing with immigrant families and ensuring that all members of our community are aware of their rights and have access to trusted legal and civil resources.

Here are links to vital information to help navigate these challenging times and safeguard your family and neighbors.

Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs: https://oia.lacounty.gov/for-la-county-immigrants/

National Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org/resources/

Immigrant Legal Resource Center: https://www.ilrc.org/

California Immigrant Policy Center: https://caimmigrant.org/what-we-do/policy/fighting-mass-detention-deportation/resources-for-immigration-legal-protection/

My staff is available and committed to helping you resolve any issues you have with any state agencies. We will contact a state agency on your behalf to see if we can get your questions answered or matter resolved. You can give us a call at (562) 406-1001 or visit https://sd30.senate.ca.gov/. You can also follow my Facebook and Instagram accounts for a look at the work my staff and I are doing in the Capitol and the District, as well as information regarding Senate District 30.

Senator Bob Archuleta currently represents the 30th Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles County and Orange County. He is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, and a member of the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, Governmental Organization Committee, Transportation Committee, as well as the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management. Senator Archuleta also sits on the Senate Special Committee on International Sporting Events: Olympics and World Cup Soccer

Website of Senator Bob Archuleta:https://sd30.senate.ca.gov/