Hi Neighbor!
Happy Fall! 'Tis the season to dress up, get baking, and get out and VOTE! A lot has happened since my last newsletter. Inside, I'll recap my final legislative wins of the year, including 13 bills signed into law, one of which establishes a historic ban on child marriage in California. You'll also find highlights from our third annual Care Fair, celebrations of local milestones across the district, and resources to help you prepare for Super El Niño, enroll in Covered California, and more.
Vote by November 3!
Democracy is once again on the ballot during this critically important election. Voting has already begun, and registered voters have already received their mailed ballots. If you missed the registration deadline, head to an early Vote Center in your county for same-day voter registration!
Once you've filled out and signed your ballot envelope, submit your vote as soon as possible to an official Vote Center or County Ballot Drop Box for a faster count after the polls close. Please keep in mind that, with constant attacks on our state's elections by bad-faith actors and the current federal administration, elections officials have advised voters to return their ballots to an official ballot drop box rather than mailing them. This is especially true as election day nears and processing times at post offices may lag. If you must return your ballot through the mail, please be sure to walk it into the post office and get it postmarked by November 3, 2026.
Please rely on voting information provided by your county's elections officials:
Legislative Update
I'm proud to share that of the 14 bills I sent to the Governor's desk, 13 have been signed into law! I can't overstate my gratitude for my incredible legislative team, who worked tirelessly to get legislation that strengthens election security, establishes critical tools for our local municipalities, and creates lasting equity throughout California.
Perhaps the most meaningful legislation I authored this year was AB 1267, a ban on child marriage in California, no exceptions. I watched Governor Newsom sign AB 1267 on September 30, 2026, alongside Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, Executive Director of the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Darcy Totten, and child marriage survivors Elizabeth Sutton, Sara Tasneem, and Courtney Stodden. When I joined the Legislature in 2022, the effort to end child marriage in California had already been underway for years, thanks to the persistence of advocates like Unchained at Last, survivors and legislators, including Assemblymember Petrie-Norris. After nine years of determined advocacy, it was an incredibly moving moment to stand beside her and the courageous survivors whose powerful stories helped bring this legislation across the finish line.
A special shout-out to Troop 62435 of the Girl Scouts of Northern California, who came to the Capitol, testified before our committee, and made a powerful impression on legislators. Their voices and conviction helped inspire support for this historic legislation and reminded us that young people can be extraordinary advocates for change.
On January 1, 2027, AB 1267 will take effect, and marriage licenses will not be granted to minors under any circumstances.
On that same day, Governor Newsom signed AB 1902 into law. This bill is especially meaningful to my Santa Cruz community, which continues to mourn Madyson "Maddy" Middleton as gaps in our justice system keep us revisiting the details of the 8-year-old's horrific rape and murder in 2015. AB 1902 makes several important changes to the detention extension hearing process. These changes include clarifying jurisdictional authority, allowing either party to petition for a continuation, and ensuring California's sensible mutual discovery obligations apply. After meeting with Maddy's loved ones, I learned that the short time frame between detention extension hearings has been a tremendous burden on their healing process, as their grief is compounded by the resharing of the details of her murder. I'm proud that AB 1902 increases the maximum detention period from two years to up to three years, requiring courts to consider the evidence presented at trial and a clinical assessment when deciding on extended detention. There is still a lot to do to ensure victims' families receive the justice they deserve, but AB 1902 represents significant progress.
I'd like to share my gratitude for the Assembly Elections Committee staff, who worked around the clock not only to get every one of my elections-related bills signed into law, but also to carefully examine and provide feedback on numerous proposals from my fellow legislators. As Californians, we're incredibly lucky to have the committee staff's historically informed guidance as we continue the work of establishing election laws that prevent bad actors from undermining the will of voters.
Past Events
Care Fair
This year marked my office's third annual Care Fair, and the first ever in Morgan Hill. It was a beautiful afternoon bringing together community members, local organizations and their amazing volunteers, and our AD28 Mental Health Heroes. We honored 15 Mental Health Heroes, though one was honored the day prior at her memory care facility. Each year I am moved by the outpouring of recognition that comes through my office when I ask for Mental Health Heroes. It is incredibly special to watch this event grow year after year, seeing more youth jump in and create their own organizations to address mental health challenges. Over 35 organizations shared health resources with our Morgan Hill community, providing us with tools that quite literally save lives. We all have the capacity for compassion. We just need to break through the stigma.
If you couldn't make it to the event on September 26, please enjoy this highlight video of the event!
Staff Retreat
Earlier this month, my team met up in Sacramento for a staff retreat! Together, we explored our team dynamic, where we can improve our internal processes, and how we can better serve the residents of Assembly District 28. We shared legislative and case-by-case wins for our constituents, received a plain-language training from friends at the Office of Data and Innovation, and ended the retreat with a robust discussion of ideas for my 2027 legislative package. I'm so grateful for my amazing Team Pellerin, which includes our Capitol staff, district staff, Assembly Elections Committee staff, and now also Women's Caucus staff as I step into my new role as Vice Chair of the California Legislative Women's Caucus.
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks 50th Anniversary
In September, my office attended the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (Friends). The organization has become a vital partner to California State Parks, working creatively to ensure our cherished local parks and beaches thrive and remain accessible to all. Friends' innovative and collaborative community partnership provides support and investment for education, equity and inclusion, conservation, facilities improvements, historic preservation, and cultural events. I was proud to provide a co-signed resolution with Senator John Laird to commemorate this milestone.
Almaden Library 20th Anniversary
The Almaden Library and Community Center has been a reliable space for my district office since I stepped into my role as your Assemblymember. It's there that we've hosted town halls and one-on-one meetings, regularly attend Almaden Senior Association meetings, and enjoy community events that bring everyone together. For 20 years, the dedicated staff have made the library and community center a cornerstone of Almaden with their thoughtful community programming and reliable service. Our sense of community simply wouldn't be the same without them, so I was proud to present a California State Resolution honoring their impact over these past two decades.
Morgan Hill 120th Anniversary
It was my great honor to recognize 120 years of Morgan Hill at the City Council Meeting on October 21 with a California State Resolution and a birthday cake! Morgan Hill has changed tremendously over the years, but the heart of the city seems to have stayed the same. City staff dedication and active resident engagement help ensure Morgan Hill remains a vibrant, welcoming community, with a future shaped by the people who call it home. Cheers to 120 more years!
UC Santa Cruz Alumni Awards
I had a lovely evening at UC Santa Cruz to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments, contributions, and lasting impact of UCSC alumni and friends. UCSC has an outstanding history of educating changemakers who go on to positively shape the communities they serve. This year's awards ceremony was especially meaningful for me, as my dear friend Stephanie Barron Lu received the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award. She was honored alongside other exceptional recipients: Melinda Aldrich, James R. Hein, John Shoji Torigoe, Peter Coha, and Jim Gunderson. Congratulations to all the honorees for this well-deserved recognition. Go slugs!
Natural Bridges State Beach is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise. Located within Assembly District 28, it offers excellent views of shorebirds, migrating whales, seals, and otters. The park's tide pools are home to sea stars, crabs, anemones, and other underwater life. Natural Bridges also features California's only official monarch preserve, where butterflies hibernate in eucalyptus groves from mid-October to mid-February. For a magical experience, visit the park during its Migration Festival on February 13, 2027!
Resources & Updates
Super El Niño Resources
Folks are already feeling the swings of extreme weather from the Super El Niño affecting California. Winter weather events from recent years add to the stress of what's to come; they have also taught our communities how to better prepare. Governor Newsom issued a statewide emergency proclamation in September to ensure our state agencies and local agencies can focus on preparing rather than reacting. Santa Cruz County has taken steps to prepare for anticipated impacts to our community through road maintenance, designating resilience centers, outlining resources on how residents can prepare, and sharing widely who to contact in the event of a disaster. Following the Governor's emergency proclamation to prepare for potentially severe El Niño storms, Santa Clara Valley Water District declared its own emergency to strengthen local flood preparedness. The declaration allows the agency to quickly secure essential equipment, supplies, and services to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
As we prepare for the possibility of severe storms, staying informed is one of the most important steps we can take to keep ourselves and our communities safe. I encourage you to sign up for your county's emergency alerts to receive timely warnings and critical safety information.
Santa Clara County Residents:
- Sign up for AlertSCC to get fast emergency alerts for fires, earthquakes, bad weather, and public safety information in your neighborhood.
- Visit Valley Water's website to understand your neighborhood's flood risk, find free sandbag locations, and learn how to monitor water levels at your local stream.
Santa Cruz County Residents:
- Sign up for CruzAware to get fast emergency alerts for fires, earthquakes, bad weather, and public safety information. If you'd like, opt in to receive non-emergency notifications regarding roadwork and other neighborhood-level disruptions and information.
- Visit Santa Cruz County's El Niño guide for residents to become familiar with their guidance on what to do before, during, and after the storm.
All AD28 Residents:
- Download the Caltrans QuickMap App to sign up for road closure alerts that affect your community.
- In the event of a power outage, report it to PG&E through their website or by calling 1-800-743-5002. If you smell natural gas, see downed powerlines or suspect another emergency situation, leave the area immediately and call 9-1-1.
- Contact my district offices for guidance on who to call if you're affected by storms and are unsure who to contact. My offices can work directly with PG&E and county officials to help get problems resolved as quickly as possible.
San José Senior Symposium
Mark your calendars for the Senior Symposium on Thursday, November 5, from 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM at Camden Community Center! Presented by San José Vice Mayor Pam Foley, this free event brings together local experts—including the District Attorney's Office, San José Police Department, San José's Office of Emergency Management, and more—to discuss personal safety, fraud prevention, emergency preparedness, and estate planning. Attendees will also enjoy a resource fair packed with helpful local vendors and light refreshments. RSVP to receive additional event information and programming.
Covered CA Open Enrollment
Covered CA Open Enrollment begins on November 1 and ends on January 31! Open enrollment is when all eligible Californians can apply for a health or dental insurance plan through Covered California. During this time, you can enroll for the first time, switch plans or renew your plan for the coming year. When you apply, they'll review your information to see what financial help you may qualify for and what other programs you may be eligible for, including Medi-Cal. If you have any questions or trouble with your enrollment application, contact my office to help you get in touch with a Covered CA representative.
Recognizing Educational Excellence: 2026 California Honor Roll Recognizes Top-Performing Schools and Districts in Assembly District 28
Last week, the California Department of Education released the 2026 CAASPP results, which measure student progress in English Language Arts and Mathematics across all public schools. Using this newly released data, the nonprofit data science organization Educational Results Partnership (ERP) conducted an in-depth analysis to identify schools and districts demonstrating strong, consistent performance across all student groups - not just those with high overall scores. These results form the basis of the 2026 California ERP Honor Roll, which recognizes public schools that help students of all backgrounds achieve at higher levels.
This year, 2,080 schools and 168 districts were named to the California Honor Roll. This is approximately 24 percent of all eligible schools and 22 percent of all eligible districts in the state. Several of those schools are located right here in our district, demonstrating that students in our community are making strong academic progress and preparing for success in college, career, and life. Congratulations and thank you to the staff of Happy Valley Elementary School, Valencia Elementary School, Branciforte Middle, Bernal Intermediate School, Graystone Elementary School, Williams Elementary School, Willow Glen Elementary School, Paradise Valley Engineering Academy, Charter School of Morgan Hill, and Ann Sobrato High School.
CalSavers Free Payroll Integration
CalSavers is offering a limited-time free payroll integration promotion to help employers simplify their ongoing CalSavers administration. The promotion comes as more than 100,000 newly notified employers must act by December 31, 2026, but it is open to all CalSavers employers not already using the service.
Through Payroll Integrations, Inc., employers can connect CalSavers with more than 100 supported payroll providers to automate contribution submissions. Employers must sign up by December 31, 2026, to receive a free trial through March 31, 2027. Please note that the promotion is applied automatically for most employers. Employers using ADP Run, Workforce Now, or Workforce Now NextGen must enter the applicable promotional code during setup. If you have any questions, please contact my Field Representative, Hannah.
Mental Health Support at JFS Silicon Valley
Jewish Family Services (JFS) Silicon Valley, a nonprofit social services agency serving our community since 1978, offers in-person and virtual mental health support for adults, older adults, and families of all backgrounds and faiths. Whether you're navigating stress, grief, family transitions, or other life challenges, their licensed marriage and family therapist provides a safe, compassionate space to heal and grow. JFS also offers specialized support groups, including:
- Healing Together: A supportive and compassionate group designed to help adults navigate the tender path of grief and loss.
- Jewish Women's Support Group: A warm, affirming space for Jewish women to share, reflect, and find strength in community.
- Caregiver Support Group: A biweekly group offering a compassionate and supportive space for those caring for a family member.
Constituent Services
As your elected representative, I'm here to serve you in a variety of ways. One of the most important is helping you navigate issues with state agencies.
Whether it's the DMV, Franchise Tax Board, EDD, Disability Insurance, or another state department -- we're here to help. Contact my office through my website or by calling:
San José District Office: (408) 264-2848
Santa Cruz District Office: (831) 425-1503
You can also visit our offices -- just call ahead to make an appointment so staff are ready to assist.
Please don't hesitate to reach out. My team is ready to support you however we can.
Warm regards,
Gail Pellerin
Assemblymember, District 28
