Senate District 31 Newsroom

Senator Cervantes
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Press Release

Cervantes’ Bill Aims to Safeguard California Residents from the Unchecked Expansion of Private Detention Facilities

Senate Bill 1367–Prohibiting Zoning for Detention Centers by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside)–was approved Tuesday by the Senate. The legislation would prohibit new land-use authorizations in a manner that allows the construction of a detention facility or a change of use that permits the use of an existing building as a detention center.

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Press Releases

Cervantes’ Bill to Prevent California State University Faculty from Being Replaced by AI Approved Unanimously on Senate Floor

(SACRAMENTO) – On Thursday, Senate Bill 928 by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside)—which would help prevent California State University (CSU) faculty from being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI)—was approved unanimously on the Senate Floor. SB 928, sponsored by the California Faculty Association (CFA) and the California Federation of Labor Unions, would require that a faculty member and an instructor of record for a course must be human beings; the bill would protect the quality of education for students and teaching professionals, including CSU faculty.

Press Releases

Cervantes’ Landmark California Voting Rights Act of 2026 Approved by Senate Committees

Two Senate committees approved landmark legislation Tuesday, The California Voting Rights Act of 2026, by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside). Senate Bill 1164 and Senate Bill 1360, collectively termed CVRA 2026, were both approved by the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee, and SB 1164 was also approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. CVRA 2026 will fight voter suppression and vote dilution, expand access to the ballot and election materials for limited-English proficient voters, and provide the Attorney General and California voters with more tools to enforce voting rights laws.

Press Releases

Senator Cervantes Advocates for the LGBTQ Community with SB 1328, Equity in Higher Education Act at Satellite Campuses

Today, the Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 1328 by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside). This bill would expand on the state's policy to afford all people, regardless of specified characteristics, including gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, equal rights and opportunities in the state's postsecondary educational institutions; it would require that the California State University (CSU) and community college systems designate a confidential LGBTQ+ liaison at satellite campuses in addition to main campuses.

Press Releases

Senate Education Committee Approves Cervantes’ Bill to Prevent California State University Faculty from Being Replaced by AI

Today, the Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 928 by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) by unanimous vote. Senate Bill 928 is a California Faculty Association (CFA)-sponsored bill to prevent California State University (CSU) faculty from being replaced by AI. This bill would require that a faculty member and an instructor of record for a course must be human beings. SB 928 would protect the quality of education for students and teaching professionals, including CSU faculty.

Press Releases

Senator Cervantes Names Yolanda Esquivel 31st Senate District 2026 Woman of the Year

Senator Sabrina Cervantes honored Yolanda Esquivel of Riverside as the Woman of the Year for the 31st Senate District at a State Capitol ceremony this month, hosted by the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.

Press Releases

Cervantes Introduces The California Voting Rights Act of 2026

On Wednesday, Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) introduced Senate Bill 1164 and Senate Bill 1360, collectively termed The California Voting Rights Act of 2026 (CVRA 2026). CVRA 2026 will fight voter suppression and vote dilution, expand access to the ballot and election materials for limited-English-proficient voters, and provide California voters with a direct means of fighting back when local governments try to silence their voices. CVRA 2026 is being proposed with collaborative support from the California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers who are committed to preserving democracy in California.

Press Releases

Cervantes’ Requested State Audit Approved by Joint Legislative Audit Committee – Essential First Step in Safeguarding Privacy for All Californians

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) yesterday approved an audit of the operations and status of the fusion centers in California that was requested by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside). The audit will be performed by the California State Auditor.

Press Releases

Cervantes Requests State Audit to Ensure Greater Accountability of Fusion Centers to Safeguard Rights of All Californians

Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) has requested that the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) consider a proposed audit of the operations and status of the fusion centers in California. The audit request will be considered at the JLAC meeting on March 24, 2026. If approved, the audit would be performed by the California State Auditor.