As the 119th Congress begins, Congressman Adam Gray (D-Merced) has been appointed to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees by his colleagues on the House Steering and Policy Committee. While a member of these committees, Gray will represent the nation’s largest agricultural valley as Congress drafts legislation related to irrigation, water storage, food production and issues impacting farmers and ranchers.
“The San Joaquin Valley feeds families in every state in the nation, but Washington treats our priorities as an afterthought,” said Gray, who enters Congress after defeating one term congressman John Duarte. “That’s why I’m proud to announce that I will serve on both the Agriculture and Natural Resources committees, where I will ensure that farmers, dairymen, and agricultural communities get our fair share. The Valley has made it clear they want practical solutions to real problems – not empty political promises. That’s why I’m focused on finding common ground with anyone who’s serious about delivering results for our communities.”
Gray represents California’s 13th Congressional District, spanning the Valley.
The House Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and is responsible for the Farm Bill, the single most impactful legislative package for farmers and ranchers across the country. The House Natural Resources Committee considers legislation related to energy and mineral resources, federal lands, and water and wildlife.
Alanis reappointed as vice-chair of two key policy committees
Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) was reappointed as the Vice Chairman for the Assembly Committees on Agriculture and Public Safety by Speaker Robert Rivas.
"I'm grateful to both Speaker Rivas and Republican Leader Gallagher for entrusting me to serve again as the Vice-Chair of the Assembly Standing Committees on Agriculture and Public Safety," said Alanis. "Continuing as Vice Chair of these Committees will allow me to continue providing leadership on two policy areas that are critically important to constituents in my district and Californians across the state."
Alanis will be entering his third consecutive year as Vice Chair of Public Safety and his second consecutive year as the Vice Chair of Agriculture. The 22nd Assembly District is one of the world's top producers of agricultural products, and his nearly 30-year career as a law enforcement officer continues to give him a unique perspective while he serves in a leadership role on these two important committees.
"I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to build consensus on common sense policies that ease the financial burdens on working families, support our agricultural industry, and enhance the safety of our children, businesses, and communities," added Alanis.
In his first two years in office, Assemblymember Alanis has successfully authored and passed 16 bills into law. He is widely seen as a leading voice on criminal justice issues and has championed the importance of agriculture in Sacramento.
Alanis represents the 22nd Assembly District, which includes the communities of Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Denair, Patterson, Gustine, Newman, Hilmar, Ballico, Snelling, Keyes, Grayson, Crows Landing, Diablo Grande, Stevinson, & Empire.
Sen. Alvarado-Gil joins call for special session on wildfires
Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) joined Senate and Assembly Republicans in urging Governor Gavin Newsom to call a special session on the Southern California wildfires and statewide insurance crisis.
“As fires were raging, California Democrats’ priority was to throw more money toward ‘Trump proofing’ the state. With homes destroyed, thousands displaced, and an insurance system on the brink of collapse, this crisis is the only thing that matters,” said Alvarado-Gil. “The ability to get homeowners insurance is perhaps the biggest challenge my constituents face. As someone on the FAIR Plan, I’m focused on making sure rural Californians are supported and our firefighters have the resources they need to protect life and property.”
California spends $6 billion to $9 billion annually on wildfire response, yet the 2024-25 budget allocated just $200 million for prevention. Meanwhile, the California FAIR Plan faces a potential statewide claims exposure exceeding $400 billion, further destabilizing the state’s already fragile insurance market.
In a letter delivered to Governor Newsom, Republicans outlined the following actions:
• Expedite Permitting for Wildfire Prevention Projects - Fast-track critical projects such as controlled burns and post-fire reconstruction to mitigate fire risks efficiently.
• Streamline Environmental Reviews for Fire Safety Efforts - Introduce targeted reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for wildfire prevention initiatives, including underground powerlines and constructing emergency egress routes for community safety.
• Enhanced Criminal Penalties - Create enhanced criminal penalties for both arson and negligent fires.
• Home-Hardening Incentives and Assistance - Use a combination of tax credits, deductions, grants, and loans to help Californians afford the home-hardening upgrades necessary to protect their property.
• Increased Funding for Wildfire Prevention - Allocate resources to local governments and conservation districts with firsthand knowledge and strategies for effective wildfire prevention and safety projects.
• Insurance Market Transparency - Provide a clear evaluation of the California FAIR Plan and the broader insurance industry, outlining necessary steps to stabilize the market and attract private insurers back into the state. This includes evaluating how current and proposed policies can restore confidence in the California insurance landscape.
After switching parties, Senator Alvarado-Gil’s two vital bills addressing wildfire impacts and water infrastructure were killed. SB 945 would have created a database to track the health effects of wildfire smoke, and SB 1088 would have established a program to provide state funding to improve fire resilience in rural communities.
“California Democrats have failed to prioritize the safety and well-being of Californians for years, and we are witnessing the cost. They hold all the power. I urge them and the governor to act now,” Alvarado-Gil concluded.
