The Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) secured key policy victories in California’s 2024/2025 legislative session, advancing equity in education, justice reform, and animal welfare. Through strategic sponsorship, support, and advocacy, MCPP played a pivotal role in passing legislation that addresses systemic inequities and strengthens communities. The following bills were signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 247 into law, boosting wages for California’s incarcerated firefighters from $1 per hour to $7.25 per hour while assigned to active wildfire incidents. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and co-sponsored by Initiate Justice Action and Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), is part of the Firefighting to Freedom bill package, which aims to honor and support California’s incarcerated firefighters through legislative action.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 79 into law, positioning California as a national leader in supporting students’ basic needs just as the federal government moves to scale back essential programs. The bill creates roles and infrastructure to ensure students in need can access public benefit programs, such as CalFresh and Medi-Cal—programs that many students qualify for but often struggle to access.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 519 into law, banning exploitative online pet dealers in California. Authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman, the law closes a major enforcement gap that allowed brokers to sidestep the state’s 2019 ban on pet-store sales of dogs from inhumane commercial breeders. 

In a closed-door decision, the California Senate Appropriations Committee quietly killed AB 1380, a bipartisan bill that would have created career pathways for incarcerated firefighters who risk their lives battling California’s wildfires.

With just three weeks left in the legislative session and with the state in the middle of another dangerous wildfire season, California legislators stood alongside formerly incarcerated firefighters and advocates to uplift the Firefighting to Freedom legislative package – seven bold bills that invest in the incarcerated firefighters who are essential to California’s wildfire response.

 As California confronts yet another dangerous wildfire season, state lawmakers announced the Firefighting to Freedom legislative package – a bold effort to honor the courage and service of incarcerated firefighters and remove the barriers they face when returning home.

The Los Angeles City Council voted 13-0 to exclude shelter animal spay & neuter providers and the Citywide Cat Program from increased coverage newly offered through the City’s Spay and Neuter Voucher Program—an unexpected reversal of their recent vote to expand access to the free voucher.

In another step forward for incarcerated firefighters, the California Senate Public Safety Committee passed AB 1380, the Formerly Incarcerated Firefighter Certification and Employment Program, by Assemblymember Sade Elhawary.

In a significant win for incarcerated firefighters, California Assembly Bill 1380 has passed the Assembly Floor with broad bipartisan support and will now move to the Senate.

Los Angeles City Council raises spay/neuter voucher amounts, but underfunding threatens impact. MCPP urges full funding to tackle pet overpopulation and shelter overcrowding.

Colorado makes history with the passage of H.B.25-1207, a groundbreaking pet-inclusive housing law ending breed discrimination and expanding access to pet-friendly, affordable housing. Backed by Michelson Center for Public Policy, the bill supports housing stability for vulnerable renters and their pets.

The Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) is pleased to support SR 106 (Newman), which resolves that the Senate joins MCPP and the California IP Alliance (CAIPA) in recognizing October as Intellectual Property Awareness Month. 

SB 1233 aims to address the veterinary shortage and reduce pet overpopulation in California, ensuring more timely and accessible spay/neuter services.

As we honor the dedication and love of father figures this June, it’s critical to spotlight a demographic in urgent need of support: student parents.

AB 2458 would improve college affordability, access, and success for student parents in California.

MCPP urges budget leaders to take action to address the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) unfair practice of deducting release allowance funds for returning citizens.

This Partnership Will Provide New Internet Options for Up to 275,000 Households and Small Businesses in East and South Los Angeles.

Member organizations of the California Alliance for Digital Equity (CADE) gathered in Sacramento last week to advocate for the passage of AB 2239.