Press Releases

Assemblymember Chiu Statement on Governor Newsom’s Proposal to Expand Rent Relief

CA COVID-19 Rent Relief
Assemblymember David Chiu (D - San Francisco) today issued the following statement after Governor Gavin Newsom proposed expanding California’s rent relief program:

“This is great news for the millions of renters in California who are struggling. Covering 100 percent of back rent would be a game changer for so many families in our state. 

When Senate Bill 91 passed, we raised concerns that the protections may not be enough and that making the level of relief dependent on landlord participation would create an inherent power imbalance.

Chiu Bill to Create a Legal Obligation to Reduce Homelessness Passes First Committee

Legislation would create a statewide homelessness strategy and ensure governments take steps to address homelessness

Sacramento, CA—A bill authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) that would ensure all state and local governments are working to meaningfully address homelessness passed the Assembly Housing Committee today. AB 816 would undertake a statewide planning process to reduce homelessness and hold governments accountable to those plans through a newly created Housing and Homelessness Inspector General position. 

Chiu Bill to Hold Cities Accountable for Housing Production Goals Moves Forward

Legislation will target under-performing housing production cities to address California’s housing shortage

Sacramento, CA—A bill authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) that would ensure cities are accountable for meeting their housing goals passed the Assembly Local Government Committee today. Assembly Bill 215 would provide more oversight on local housing production progress and put under-performing cities on a pathway to becoming high-performing housing production cities.

Chiu Bills to Combat Climate Change Pass Natural Resources Committee

Legislation to jumpstart California offshore wind energy production among the measures to advance

Sacramento, CA—Two bills authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee today. The bills would give local communities more tools to withstand the impacts of climate change and help California meet its clean energy goals by kickstarting the West Coast offshore wind industry.

Chiu Criminal Justice Reform Bills Pass Public Safety Committee

Legislation to require local approval prior to law enforcement procuring military equipment among the measures to advance

Sacramento, CA—Three bills authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee today. The bills would address the militarization of local law enforcement, the uptick in hate crimes, and deportations based on faulty convictions.

Chiu Bill to Prioritize Small Businesses for State Contracts Advances

Legislation would establish economic equity policy in state contracting

Sacramento, CA—Legislation authored by Assemblymembers David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) to provide greater opportunity for California small businesses in state contracting passed the Assembly Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy Committee today. AB 915 would ensure 25 percent of state contracts and procurement go to small businesses and minority-owned small businesses. 

Pedestrian Safety and Seamless Transit Bills Pass Assembly Transportation Committee

Legislation would make way for a more coordinated Bay Area transit system and allow for the use of proven, widely-used technology to protect Californians from deadly collisions

Sacramento, CA—Two bills authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) passed the Assembly Transportation Committee today. The bills would reduce speeding-related pedestrian fatalities and take steps to integrate Bay Area transit systems. 

Chiu Bill to Strengthen Health Care Patient Right to Privacy Passes First Committee

Legislation would ensure communications about sensitive health care services are automatically confidential

Sacramento, CA—Legislation authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) to expand and protect patient confidentiality in California passed the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee today. Assembly Bill 1184 would require health insurance companies to establish protocols that automatically protect the privacy of patients who access sensitive health care services.

Chiu Bill to Kickstart West Coast Offshore Wind Industry Passes Key Committee

Legislation will help California meet clean energy goals while creating thousands of new jobs

Sacramento, CA—Legislation authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) to jumpstart the offshore wind industry in California passed the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee today. Assembly Bill 525 would direct state agencies to set statewide goals for offshore wind production and develop a strategic plan for California to achieve large-scale renewable wind energy by 2045.

EDD Reform Bills Pass First Committee

Legislation advanced would alleviate the issues faced by millions of Californians in accessing unemployment benefits during the pandemic

Sacramento, CA--Three bills aimed at reforming the California Employment Development Department’s (EDD) unemployment insurance (UI) program passed the Assembly Insurance Committee today. The bills that advanced are part of a broader legislative package announced in February that would enact crucial oversight and consumer protection measures, ensure claimants get timely access to benefits, and address fraud.