Press Releases

Umberg Introduces Extension Measure Cracking Down on Illegal Vehicle Dismantling and Catalytic Converter Theft

March 26, 2024

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced the introduction of Senate Bill 359 which extends the Vehicle Dismantling Strike Team for a period of three years.  The measure attacks California’s recent massive spike in catalytic converter thefts.

Senator Umberg Spearheads Substance Use Disorder Treatment Reform with Senate Bill 913

March 21, 2024

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced today that he is introducing legislation to enhance substance use disorder treatment facilities’ accountability and service quality across California. Senator Umberg’s Senate Bill 913 focuses on reinforcing the regulations surrounding the operation of sober living homes and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities.

Senator Umberg Introduces Legislation to Protect Residents in Homeowners Associations

February 15, 2024

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced today that he is introducing legislation to ensure the safety and habitability of residences under the authority of homeowners associations (HOAs) via another one of his measures – Senate Bill 900.

For several months last year, Senator Umberg’s district office worked and coordinated with numerous state and local entities, along with non-profits and utility companies, to organize relief and remediation for a condominium complex in his district that experienced a sizeable natural gas leak.

Senator Umberg Renews Fentanyl Warning Efforts

Alexandra’s Law Reintroduced

January 17, 2024

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced today that he is re-introducing his Alexandra’s Law (contained in last year’s Senate Bill 44) via another one of his measures – Senate Bill 21 – currently located in the Assembly.

SB 21, sponsored by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, proposes to implement a Fentanyl Admonishment in California similar to the state’s current Watson Advisement for DUIs.

“Fentanyl is not going away, and neither am I,” said Senator Umberg.  He went on to state that:

Senate Judiciary Chair Tom Umberg Responds to New California Supreme Court Rule

June 22, 2023

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Chair of the California Legislature’s Senate Judiciary Committee issued the following statement today in response to the California Supreme Court’s adoption of a new rule mandating reporting of misconduct by attorneys:

Umberg Labor Rights Constitutional Amendment Advances

Senate Constitutional Amendment 7 Passes First Committee

June 22, 2023

(Sacramento, CA) – Senate Constitutional Amendment 7, authored by Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), The Right to Organize and Negotiate Act, passed the Senate Labor Committee earlier today by a vote of 4-1.

“I’m thrilled SCA 7 has cleared its first hurdle,” said Senator Umberg.  “The rights of workers in California to negotiate and organize have been clearly defined for decades – adding these as fundamental rights to our Constitution shouldn’t be debated or controversial” he added.

Senator Tom Umberg Honors Orangewood Foundation as 2023 Nonprofit of the Year

June 12, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Last week, Senator Tom Umberg (D-Orange County), and the California State Senate, announced that the Orangewood Foundation, and Chief Executive Officer Chris Simonsen, have been honored as the 34th Senate District 2023 Nonprofit of the Year.

Bills Introduced to Allow Local Governments and California to Have Public Financing of Elections

SB 24 and AB 270 would put a measure on the November 2024 ballot to allow voters to decide the matter

April 10, 2023

SACRAMENTO, CA — At a time when voters are more concerned than ever about the dominance of Big Money in politics, Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) and Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San José) have introduced parallel bills, SB 24 and AB 270, to restore control to local governments and the State by allowing them to enact new options for election campaign funding.

Alexandra’s Law Fails in Senate Committee

Senate Bill SB 44, jointly authored by Senators Umberg & Ochoa Bogh, failed passage on Tuesday, though was granted Reconsideration for a later hearing

March 28, 2023

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced today that his SB 44, jointly authored by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), failed passage in the Senate Public Safety Committee.

SB 44, nicknamed Alexandra’s Law, proposed to implement a Fentanyl Admonishment in California similar to the state’s current Watson Advisement for DUIs.

Senator Thomas J. Umberg Honors Orange County Woman of the Year

March 20, 2023

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced that he will be honoring Samantha Maria Soto, a Dispatch Supervisor with the Orange County Fire Authority as the Woman of the Year for the 34th Senate District.