| MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER |
Dear Neighbor,
Happy March Assembly District 78! As we head into spring, I'm excited to share updates on my legislative package for the year—focused on tackling key issues that matter to our district, from expanding housing access to strengthening environmental protections. My team and I are working hard to move California forward, and I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.
March is also Women's History Month, a time to recognize the incredible contributions of women past and present. Here in AD 78, we celebrate the women leaders, advocates, and community members who make a difference every day.
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| LEGISLATIVE UPDATE |
The deadline to introduce bills has passed, and I'm excited to share a package of 18 bills aimed at making housing more affordable, protecting privacy and civil rights, expanding renewable energy, and improving healthcare access. Check them out below:
2025 Introduced Legislation
Building Homes Smarter, Faster, and Greener
AB 6 Building Standards – Directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to create a working group to explore allowing "missing middle" developments between three and 10 units to be built under the requirements of the California Residential Code, rather than the California Building Code.
AB 253 Permitting Reform – Allows homeowners and developers to use third-party licensed professionals to review certain post-entitlement permits.
AB 368 Passive Housing Standards – Directs the California Energy Commission to evaluate the adoption of certified Passive House energy efficiency standards as an alternative compliance pathway to existing Title 24 building efficiency standards.
AB 474 Shared Housing Act of 2025 – Supports nonprofit home-sharing by reducing barriers, offering financial incentives and tenant protections for seniors, and allowing caregivers to move in when necessary.
AB 763 Timber Harvest Permitting Synchronization – Simplifies the process for responsibly harvesting timber while ensuring strong environmental protections. It helps prevent wildfires, supports local jobs, and keeps California's forests healthy for the long run.
Protecting Privacy & Civil Rights
AB 446 Surveillance Pricing – Prohibits businesses from using the personal information of a consumer to adjust the price of goods based off their individualized data profile, a practice known as surveillance pricing.
AB 1355 The California Location Privacy Act– Prohibits entities from collecting, using, or selling location data of an individual, unless doing so is necessary to provide goods or services requested by that individual.
AB 1337 The IPA Reform Act of 2025 - Updates California's Information Practices Act (IPA) of 1977, which governs how public entities handle our data, to respond to the challenges of today's digital environment.
Reducing Barriers for Transportation, Green Energy, and Recreation
AB 518 Low Impact Camping – Streamlines the permitting process for Low Impact Camping Areas or commercially available campgrounds that are approved by and meet all requirements set by local governments.
AB 1070 Transit Board Accountability – Increases transparency and accountability for transit boards by creating two new non-voting seats for rider and worker representatives. This ensures public transportation agencies are more responsive to the needs of communities, improving oversight and decision-making.
AB 1260 Community Solar Expansion – Makes needed changes to California's customer renewable energy subscription program, to ensure the State has a robust and sustainable community solar market that delivers cost savings to ratepayers at a time when energy costs continue to rise.
Expanding Access to Health and Mental Health Care
AB 322 School Based Health – Increases local educational agencies participation in programs that offer reimbursement for school-based health and mental health services, helping schools draw down crucial funds to cover the cost of student health and mental health services.
AB 1103 Research Advisory Panel of California (RAP-C) Reform – Streamlines RAP-C's processes for approving medical and scientific research about medicines used for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, treatment- resistant depression, substance use disorder, and other conditions driving the disproportionate incidence of suicide among veterans.
| CAPITOL HAPPENINGS |
LeadingAge (top left): It was an honor to meet with LeadingAge California earlier this month. I was especially excited to connect with two members of their delegation from AD 78, who are doing incredible work to support seniors in our community. SANDAG (top right): I had a productive meeting with SANDAG, discussing regional transportation, housing, and infrastructure solutions that will benefit our communities in AD 78. Change Craft (bottom left): I attended the grand opening of Change Craft, a LGBTQ+ communications lobby firm led by CEO Brandon Slate. SeaWorld (bottom right): SeaWorld joined me in Sacramento this month to share their insights on on marine conservation, animal rescue, and protecting our oceans.
| OUT IN THE COMMUNITY |
On Valentine's Day, my District Office and I had the joy of spreading some love and invited residents to attend my Senior Scams webinar at St. Paul's Senior Living. It was wonderful to meet so many amazing constituents and brighten their day with beautiful roses!
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
Coffee with Chris: On Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., join me at Angier Elementary School Cafeteria in San Diego for Coffee with Chris. This town hall is a chance for residents of Serra Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Tierrasanta to discuss community issues, hear legislative updates, and share feedback on how we can better serve our district.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Tacos & Taxes: On March 29th from 10 AM to 3 PM my office, in partnership with Dreams for Change and Golden State Opportunity, is hosting a free tax preparation services event. Join us at the North Park Recreation Center for help with your tax forms and tacos!
| WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH HONOREES |
This Women's History Month, I am honoring four different women from across the district who serve the community each in their own special way.
Andrea Guerrero is the founding Executive Director of Alliance San Diego. With a background as an immigration lawyer she now serves as a leader of an organization dedicated to ensuring all people know their rights. Learn more about Andrea HERE!
Kim Heinle serves as the Executive Director of Bayside Community Center in Linda Vista. Crediting the amazing staff of Bayside for the work she is able to accomplish, Kim is an extremely dedicated leader who is always involved in Bayside's program management. Learn more about Kim HERE!
Paola Capó-García is the 2025 Poet Laureate of the City of San Diego looking to make poetry more accessible to the residents of San Diego. As an educator, Paola has had first hand experience on the value of exploring poetry with youth, and how the art form can directly connect with people today. Learn more about Paola HERE!
Moe Girton is a pillar in the Hillcrest community, as the Owner and General Manager of Gossip Grill. Getting her start as security at the Flame, she has since gone on to become a staple in the community where she has taken that visibility as a way to give back. Learn more about Moe HERE!
| NOMINATIONS |
Small Business, Teachers, and Nurses Nominations: May is almost here, and with it comes the opportunity for me to once again recognize a few of the outstanding AD 78 Teachers, Nurses, and Small Businesses! Whether it's a teacher you know who has pushed your student to achieve new heights, a nurse who provided you with exceptional care, or a local business you've been going to for years, I want to hear from you on who is making a difference in our district. I can't wait to see what new submissions you all send my way. Feel free to submit your nominee using the link below.
| IN THE NEWS |
San Diego breaks ground on Pride Promenade in Hillcrest
States Eye Bans on "Surveillance Pricing" that Exploits Personal Data
California's Education Dept. Seeks Court Order for LGBTQ+ Inclusion
| CLOSE OUT |
As always, I want to thank you for your support. I'm grateful to be your representative and work on these issues and more. One of the best ways to stay informed is to follow my social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads, and X where you can know in real time what developments are happening or what I'm working on every day.
And if you need assistance, please know that my district office staff is available and ready to serve or answer any questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to the contact information at the end of this email, and a staff member will connect with you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Christopher M. Ward
Assemblymember, 78th District