May 2026 Newsletter

As we move into May, our office is hard at work advancing legislation and engaging with our community here in the district and in Sacramento.

Currently we have several bills awaiting action in the Assembly Appropriations Committee—legislation focused on protecting your privacy, lowering the cost of developing housing, and safeguarding our most vulnerable communities.

Those bills are:

AB 1542 CA Data Privacy Act – Closes a dangerous loophole in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) by banning businesses from the selling or sharing of sensitive personal information to a third party. Californians deserve the right to feel safe and protected while going about their daily lives, attending places of worship, seeking vital health care, exercising their right to free speech, or simply going to the grocery store to feed their families.

AB 1739 Protecting Congregants from Sexual Exploitation by Clergy – Ensures clergy are held to the same standards as other professionals who hold positions of authority over individuals seeking care, guidance, or counseling.

AB 1775 Support for Discharged Service Members Act – Provides critical housing, employment, and transition-to-civilian-life support for service members being discharged from the U.S. military, particularly because of President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14183, which targets transgender service members.

AB 1793 CA Common "Cents" Act – Standardizes the symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel, ensuring fairness and transparency upon the elimination of the penny.

AB 1813 Community Solar – Requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to create a community renewable energy program that prioritizes access and utility bill savings for low-income households and renters who cannot install on-site solar and storage for technical or cost-related reasons. This will expand access to solar to all Californians, while providing a valuable tool for achieving the state's ambitious energy efficiency and climate change goals.

AB 1921 Protect our Games Act – Requires companies selling server-connected video games to notify consumers before shutting down a game's servers, rendering it inoperable. Upon ceasing support for a game, a company must provide (a) a means of accessing a playable version of the game or (b) a full refund to those who purchased it.

AB 2027 The Worker Data Protection Act – Prohibits companies from using worker data to train AI models or automated systems and extends that prohibition to contracted third parties. The bill ensures that employee data cannot be exploited to develop technologies that could replace or disadvantage workers.

AB 2559 Deposit Reform – Creates a standardized timeline in which consumers can request a deposit refund for meeting the recycling requirements of local construction and demolition programs, mandated by state waste diversion laws.

The Governors Budget May Revision

In the coming days, the May Revision of the state budget will be released, and my team and I will immediately begin reviewing the proposal to ensure critical programs are protected and adequately funded. From mid-May to mid-June, we'll be working to finalize that budget before it goes to the Governor.

Top Left: Happy to have given a tour of our state capitol to UCSD Medical Students. Top Right: Proud to stand with survivors and advocates at ValorUS's Denim Day press conference in support of survivors and the ongoing fight to end sexual violence. conference. Bottom Left: Happy to have chaired an informational hearing on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) financial literacy and the ways we can better support student-athletes as they navigate new opportunities. Bottom Right: Proud to meet with San Diego County Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton to discuss how our county can best prepare for the impending HR1 cuts and protect critical services for our communities.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week, and I had the pleasure of recognizing two amazing teachers working in Assembly District 78. Mr. Jim Hernández, a film arts teacher at Patrick Henry High School, and Ms. Laura Hopkins, a dual language first-grade teacher at Golden Hill Elementary. Back in March, I asked you all to send in your nominations of deserving teachers who go above and beyond for our students. Out of many excellent nominations, Mr. Hernández and Ms. Hopkins truly embody what it means to be the people who shape our future through our youth. Please take an opportunity to watch their highlight videos on my social media.

National Nurses Week

We have all had a hospital experience where either we were incredibly thankful for the kind and selfless nurses who made us or our family members feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. During National Nurses Week, it was important to me that we honored some standout nurses in Assembly District 78 who made big impacts on the lives of our constituents. Peggy Bowman, a nurse at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns, and Elizabeth Pianka, a nurse at Kaiser Permanente, are two people who deserve the recognition. Not only do they make their patients feel safe and protected, but they also serve as their advocates. With long careers in nursing, it only made sense that they also became leaders and contributors in their local unions. I am so thankful for their work advocacy to serve some of our most vulnerable populations. Please take a moment to watch their highlight videos on my social media to see why they are so deserving.

Top left: Held a community coffee in the Golden Hill neighborhood to listen to suggestions from constituents on what they would like to see happen in Sacramento and changes they would like to bring to San Diego. Top right: Participated in the 41st Annual Linda Vista Multicultural Parade and Fair. Bottom left: Co-hosted a Community Coffee in the Tierrasanta neighborhood with Councilmember Raul Campillo. Bottom right: Team Ward presented a resolution to the Ohr Shalom Synagogue for its centennial anniversary of its founding!

Asm. Ward Fights to Fund Local News Rooms

Proposed Assembly Bill looks to help local news outlets with tax credits

As always, I want to thank you for your support. I'm grateful to be your representative and work on these issues and more. One of the best ways to stay informed is to follow my social media accounts on Facebook, BlueSky, Threads, and Instagram where you can know in real time what developments are happening or what I'm working on every day.

And if you need assistance, please know that my district office staff is available and ready to serve or answer any questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to the contact information at the end of this email, and a staff member will connect with you as soon as possible. I wish you, your family, and your neighbors all the best.

Sincerely,

Christopher M. Ward
Assemblymember, 78th District