PRESS RELEASES

Umberg Introduces Measure to Provide Funding for Prop 36 Implementation

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced the introduction of his Senate Bill 38 which proposes to make drug and collaborative courts eligible for competitive grants administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).


SENATOR UMBERG’S YOUNG SENATORS PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced today that his Young Senators Program for the 34th Senate District is now accepting applications. The goal of this program is to provide current High School Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors with educational opportunities that foster skills in public service, empowering them as community leaders.


Bills Introduced to Stop the Puppy Mill Pipeline in California

SACRAMENTO, CA — In response to a groundbreaking multi-part investigation into the puppy market in California by the Los Angeles Times this fall, Senator Tom Umberg and Assemblymembers Steve Bennett and Marc Berman jointly introduced legislation this morning in Sacramento to curb consumer fraud and abuse in California.


Stop the Puppy Mill Pipeline: Animal Welfare Organizations and State Legislators Unveil Bills to Keep Cruelty Out of California

California has long been a leader in animal welfare, becoming the first state to prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores, but dishonest sellers continue to exploit consumers by posing as reputable local breeders. In reality, they import thousands of puppies from cruel, out-of-state breeding operations, deceiving buyers and perpetuating the horrific puppy mill pipeline.


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

SACRAMENTO, CA — At a time when voters are more concerned than ever about the dominance of Big Money in politics, Senators Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) and Ben Allen (D- El Segundo) and Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) have jointly introduced Senate Bill 42, to restore control to local governments and the State by allowing them to enact new options for election campaign funding.


SENATOR UMBERG CALLS FOR WOMEN OF DISTINCTION NOMINATIONS

(Santa Ana, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced today that, in honor of Women’s History Month, he will be hosting his sixth annual 34th Senate District Women of Distinction Event in March.


In the Wake of January 6th Pardons, Senator Umberg Urges Adherence to SB 901 and Non-Enlistment in CA Guard

(Sacramento, CA) – Following the pardons and commuted sentences of nearly 1,500 people involved in the January 6th Insurrection earlier this week, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), a retired US Army Colonel, current Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and member of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, sent a letter to Governor Newsom yesterday urging him to stand firm on enlistments or re-enlistments in the National Guard and Cal Guard.


Area High School Student Helps Pass New Law for Neurodivergent Students in California

(Sacramento, CA) – A new law, authored by Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), went into effect this month in California – and its passage was aided with the assistance of local high school student, Lawrence Kim.


Senator Tom Umberg Appointed Chair of California State Senate Judiciary Committee for the 2025-2026 Session

SACRAMENTO — Senator Tom Umberg (D - Orange County) was reappointed Chair of the California State Senate Judiciary Committee by State Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire.


Senate Judiciary Chair Tom Umberg Responds to Passing of President Carter

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Chair of the California Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the statement below in response to the passing of former President Jimmy Carter yesterday at 100 years old.