With the legislative session underway, February is when priorities turn into policy. I’ve introduced bills to combat human trafficking, protect children online, and provide gas tax relief.
Legislation Highlights:
Below is the legislation that I’ve introduced this month, which you can learn more about by visiting my Senate website. Click HERE.
Senate Bill 1027 would create the California State Prostitution Issues and Options Task Force, a multi-state agency task force to study street prostitution and its connection to human trafficking. The group would review data, look at enforcement challenges, and make recommendations to better protect vulnerable people and affected neighborhoods, including communities in Senate District 36.
Senate Bill 1015, the Protecting Our Children from Online Extortion Act, would make it a felony to use or pressure a minor to harm, groom, harass, or exploit another minor online. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is sponsoring this bill.
Senate Bill 1035, the Gas Tax Relief Act, would suspend the state gas tax and certain fuel regulations for one year to lower prices at the pump. It would also pause the Low Carbon Fuel Standard during that time and require that any savings go directly to drivers. The bill allows the state’s General Fund to cover transportation funding while the tax is suspended.
I introduced Senate Bill 985, the Fix 911 Act, to require the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to provide quarterly updates on the state’s delayed and overbudget 911 upgrade until it is fully completed.
The bill also takes another look at the monthly 911 phone fee, currently 41 cents but allowed to increase up to 80 cents, to make sure taxpayers are not paying more than necessary.
Click HERE to watch my interview with NBC Bay Area investigative reporter Candice Nguyen and read the Sacramento Bee coverage.
My bill, Senate Bill 979, the Regional Housing Needs Allocation Judicial Review, allows cities and counties to go to court if they believe the state’s housing unit targets are unfair, unrealistic, or not backed by data. Instead of appealing to the same agency that set the numbers in the first place, local governments could seek an independent review to make sure the process is fair and consistent with state law.
I introduced Senate Bill 885, the Restoring Accountability Act, which will require that any major regulatory proposal with an anticipated impact on Californians of more than $50 million must be explicitly approved by the Legislature. In doing so, it puts the ultimate decision-making authority back into the hands of elected legislators who are directly accountable to California voters. Click HERE to read coverage from the Orange County Register.
Click HERE to read coverage from the Orange County Register.
I joined colleagues from both parties in supporting Senate Bill 299, which streamlines local permitting and zoning approvals for daycare centers and family daycare homes to help providers open and expand more quickly. It’s an important step toward increasing access to affordable childcare while we continue pushing for broader permitting reforms that lower costs and expand opportunity for working families.
Click HERE to listen to my floor remarks on Senate Bill 299.
SB 492, the Youth Housing Bond Act of 2026, would expand the state’s authority to override local zoning and planning decisions to accelerate housing development. I opposed SB 492, because I believe it shifts more control to Sacramento at the expense of local communities and their ability to plan responsibly for growth.
Speaking on the Senate floor in opposition to Senate Bill 492.
In a recent op-ed for the California Post, I outlined my concerns about shrinking fuel supply as multiple in-state gasoline refineries, like Valero, announce plans to scale back or shut down operations, removing significant production capacity from California, which consumes roughly 13–14 billion gallons of fuel each year. I also raised serious national security concerns about California becoming increasingly dependent on foreign energy sources. These are issues I detail further in my op-ed.
Click HERE to read more.
Huntington Beach: The Huntington Beach Sports Hall of Fame has transformed from a concept into a reality, and I am proud to recognize the athletes and teams whose excellence, grit, and character define Surf City and embody the spirit of this community.
Celebrating hometown champions at the Huntington Beach Sports Hall of Fame.
Seal Beach: I had a productive discussion with members of the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce on the state budget, my regulatory reform Senate Bill 885, and concerns surrounding the proposed vehicle mileage tax study. I believe affordability starts with reducing energy and transportation costs. These regional energy and transportation leaders, the leadership teams at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and the local unions represent the hardworking men and women who keep our ports running. We talked about what families and businesses are feeling every day — high gas prices, rising energy costs, and the ripple effects that impact everything from groceries to small businesses. I’m grateful for the honest conversations with these engaged leaders.
With members of the HAIC.
Newport Beach: It was an honor to stand with veterans who embody service and sacrifice at the American Legion, with thanks to the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, Orange County Chapter, for hosting a great event and the Orange County REALTORS for sponsoring a meaningful gathering focused on continued service to our communities.
With the wonderful attendees at the American Legion event in Newport Beach.
San Clemente: Thank you to the Economic Coalition for the opportunity to share an update on my first weeks back in Sacramento, including a candid discussion of the state’s underlying budget conditions and the long-term risks of continued overspending.
Providing a legislative and budget update to Orange County’s business community.
Westminster: It was a privilege to be at Chua Dieu Ngu Buddhist Temple, to tape a warm Lunar New Year greeting for the Vietnamese community, who enrich Little Saigon and Senate District 36. I wish everyone who celebrates the Lunar New Year a prosperous and wonderful 2026, Year of the Fire Horse.
“Chúc mừng năm mới!”
Filming a Lunar New Year message in Little Saigon.
A few days later, I attended a wonderful Lunar New Year Tết festival to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. A special thank you to Advance Beauty College and Tam Nguyen, volunteers, and partners who made this wonderful event possible. I’m so proud to represent the vibrant Vietnamese community of Little Saigon in Senate District 36.
Congratulations to Tam Nguyen of Advance Beauty College for a wonderful event.
I recently met with Victoria Seaman, Regional Director at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to discuss healthcare access, affordability, and how federal and state partners can better deliver real results for patients and families.
With HHS Regional Director Victoria Seaman.
In Case You’ve Missed It: With Californians already paying some of the highest gas taxes and fees in the nation, I opposed AB 1421 and discussed my concerns about a potential vehicle mileage tax during an interview on KNX Radio with Margaret Carrero and Mike Simpson, because affordability for working families matters.
Click HERE to listen to my interview with KNX anchors Margaret Carrero and Mike Simpson.
I also joined Jennifer Horn on AM 870 The Answer to explain how Sacramento’s budget decisions affect every day Californians and why protecting essential services while spending taxpayer dollars wisely matters.
Click HERE to listen to my interview with Jennifer Horn.
I’m proud to recognize Black History Month & American Heart Month in February. I joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in passing Senate Concurrent Resolution 122 to recognize February as Black History Month and Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 to raise awareness of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke.
On the Senate Floor, after SCR 115 was passed.
Congratulations to Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes on being honored as the 2025 Sandra S. Hutchens Sheriff of the Year by the Major County Sheriffs of America. Thank you, Sheriff Barnes, for your leadership and dedication to keeping Orange County safe.
On Saturday, March 14, I’ll be hosting another Community Recognition Day at my Huntington Beach district office from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. If you know someone who deserves recognition, or if you would like to nominate yourself, please send me an email at Senator.Strickland@senate.ca.gov. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, organization, a short description, and March Community Recognition Day in the subject line of the email.
You can learn more about my legislation priorities by visiting my website.
As always, my district office is always available to help, and you can contact me at Senator.Strickland@senate.ca.gov or 714-374-4000.
In Friendship,
Tony