Dear Neighbor‚
I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend with loved ones. I was privileged to be out in the district at a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony with my family‚ and enjoyed seeing familiar faces and community friends. I’m forever grateful to our service members who selflessly gave their lives for our nation and freedoms.
This time of year is exceptionally busy at the Capitol‚ and I have a few critical items I want to share with you. The House of Origin deadline was on May 24 – the last day for bills to be heard in their respective houses before they move to the other house for consideration. Several of my bills advanced (you can read more about that later in this newsletter). The constitutional deadline for the budget is June 15‚ and although California’s troubling financial situation is dire‚ I can assure you that I am pushing for action to address these issues. As your State Senator‚ I’m committed to working with my legislative colleagues to create a budget that keeps our vital programs safe and puts taxpayers’ dollars to work.
I want you to be aware about a recent vote made by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to implement a flat fee on utility bills based on income levels. The tiered fee can be as high as $24 a month. I joined Senate Republicans urging the CPUC to reject the proposal‚ but they voted for it anyway.
This flawed fixed charge discourages energy conservation. Earlier in the year‚ I co-authored Senate Bill 1326‚ the “Cost of Living Reduction Act‚” to repeal the fixed-rate charge‚ but the measure was voted down.
I am regretful to share that another board appointed by the Governor‚ the California Air Resources Board (CARB)‚ is considering two proposals that will increase gas prices by nearly 50¢ a gallon in 2026. They are justifying this by hoping it will encourage Californians to switch to electric cars. California doesn’t have the energy capacity or infrastructure in place to support the transition. In a letter signed by every Republican member of the Assembly and Senate‚ we urged CARB to reject such costly proposals and protect Californians’ pocketbooks.
In closing‚ I have some good news to share. You may have heard that AT&T requested to withdraw its carrier of last resort obligation as a landline telecommunications service provider. This would greatly impact service to those who rely on a landline‚ especially in rural areas where wireless service simply isn’t an option. It’s unthinkable for our rural residents to not have reliable telephone service‚ especially in an emergency.
Many of you from the 1st Senate District‚ including sheriffs‚ spoke out against this‚ and thankfully the CPUC listened and has proposed to reject AT&T’s request. Click here for more information on what’s next.
I will never stop fighting for policies that represent our North State values. It’s an honor to serve as your State Senator.
Sincerely‚
Senator Brian Dahle
Legislative Update |
The California State Senate overwhelmingly passed a number of my bills ranging from energy and healthcare‚ to improving highway safety. These bills are essential to improve health outcomes‚ support the business community to transition to cleaner energy‚ and enhance the quality of life for all Californians. I will continue to work with stakeholders and my legislative colleagues as the measures make their way through the Assembly and ultimately across the finish line.
Energy
Senate Bill 1062: Supports the conversion of biomass generation facilities to newer advanced bioenergy technology–allowing them to continue operating to reduce harmful debris that pose a serious wildfire threat to communities.
Senate Bill 1207: Expands the definition of “eligible materials” under the Buy Clean California Act to include all insulation types‚ incentivizing manufacturers to continue climate and reliability investments in their products.
Healthcare
Senate Bill 1258: Authorizes the State Department of Health Care Services to waive the interest on unrecovered Medi-Cal overpayment due by a provider when certain factors are met.
Senate Bill 1423: Requires 100% of reasonable costs of providing patient care would be reimbursed for Medi-Cal services at critical access hospitals. Currently‚ 37 safety-net hospitals serving rural communities in California are not fully reimbursed for treating Medi-Cal patients.
Highway Safety
Senate Bill 1163: This measure allows state agencies to make evidence-based decisions to improve traffic and wildlife safety.
FYI |
Interested in having a greater impact in your rural community? Learn about gubernatorial appointments and gain insights on how to navigate these unique opportunities. Click here for more details. Spoiler alert: the webinar is hosted by one of our very own from the district‚ Sierra County Supervisor Lee Adams.
Wildfire season is here: The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is responsible for implementing fire prevention measures‚ providing emergency services‚ and helping manage the state’s natural resources. Visit www.readyforwildfire.org to learn more about preparing for wildfire. As a reminder‚ I’ve been extremely vocal on the homeowners’ insurance crisis‚ click here to read.
CAL FIRE provides valuable tools on how to prepare and keep households safe before a wildfire starts.
- Get Ready: Create and maintain defensible space‚ and harden your home against embers.
- Get Set: Prepare your family and home in case there is a need to evacuate. Make sure you have a plan for what to take with you and where to go.
- Be Ready to GO: When a wildfire strikes‚ leave immediately to ensure your safety.
A new area code is coming to the 530 region in 2025! The California Public Utilities Commission announced that an 837 area code is coming to the 530 region. According to the PUC’s website‚ customers should continue to identify their telephone number as a 10-digit number (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number)‚ and include the area code when giving the number to friends‚ family‚ and business associates. Click here for more information on this change.
At the Capitol |
Realtors from across Senate District 1 were in Sacramento for their annual California Association of Realtors legislative day. Our conversations focused around affordability‚ development and homeownership.
I was proud to meet with United Chamber Advocacy Network members to discuss pro-business legislation‚ regulations‚ and workforce development. I applaud their advocacy and efforts to unite and inform small businesses about policies that affect them.
Honored to meet with Stacy Caldwell‚ CEO and president of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation‚ and Veronica Blake‚ CEO and president of the Placer Community Foundation. Discussions focused on regional issues and priorities including disaster resilience‚ forest health‚ housing‚ and more.
Honored to meet with constituents advocating at the Capitol for Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day. I appreciate their stories‚ resilience‚ and dedication to creating a world without Alzheimer’s.
Team Dahle enjoyed a bit of fun and camaraderie at the Annual Capitol Frog Jump hosted by Senator Alvarado-Gil.
Thank you Agricultural Council of California for coming by my office to discuss policies impacting ag businesses in our state. Your tireless advocacy to keep California as the number-one ag industry in the nation is truly commendable.
Special thanks to the Colusa County Board of Supervisors for the resolution in appreciation for the funding I was able to secure for Nickels Soil Lab.
It’s always a pleasure to meet with students from across Senate District One‚ and I am deeply grateful to the teachers who are taking the time and effort to invest in their future.
Around the District |
Justi Hansen‚ executive director of the Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance‚ opens a workshop to discuss how locals would like to expand and improve trails and other recreational amenities in Siskiyou County. The planning effort is funded by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy‚ which expanded into Siskiyou County under Senate Bill 208 (Dahle) which was signed into law in 2021.
The 2024 Nickels Soil Lab Annual Field Day was informative and engaging‚ bringing together farmers from across California. Nickels Soil Lab is a private‚ not-for-profit farm with a renowned soil testing laboratory.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly established‚ yet historic‚ bike path in Chico had a successful turnout. Located near the crossing of Humboldt Road and Bruce Road‚ this bike trail is a favorite among local bicyclists and walkers.
Staff had the pleasure of attending the recent grand opening of Four Leaf Clothing Co. in downtown Chico. Their mission is to mitigate the fashion industry’s environmental impact by offering stylish‚ high-quality and gently used clothing.
Team Dahle proudly attended the 3rd Annual Grass Valley Armed Forces Day. My office‚ alongside Assemblywoman Dahle’s team‚ provided joint certificates to the 2024 Military Service Award winners.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the outstanding superheroes (also known as volunteers) for improving the lives of so many in the North State. Staff enjoyed being a part of the celebration at the CalSeniors event hosted by Dignity Health Connected Living and AmeriCorps Seniors of Northern California.
Congratulations to Chico Hearing Aid Center on its recent 75th Anniversary! The open house featured a fascinating presentation of hearing aids through the years‚ showcasing the evolution and technological advancements.
We were thrilled to join educators and support staff at the new E Center’s Bird Street Child Development Center’s grand opening. This facility provides early childhood education services for children aged 0-5 years at no or low cost to eligible families. It is the largest E Center facility in Butte County‚ employing 42 staff members and serving 111 children.
Congratulations to the entire team at Diamond View Middle School in Susanville for their recognition as a California Distinguished School. Team Dahle was proud to join in honoring them and many other hard-working educators‚ school volunteers‚ and community partners.