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Community to Capitol
September, 2025 |
As we turn the page to September, my team and I have wrapped up a busy Summer Recess filled with neighborhood visits, tours of a North County hospital and small businesses, and conversations with you about priorities like affordability, public safety, healthcare access, and education. Your feedback is shaping my work as we enter the final stretch of the 2025 legislative session, where I remain focused on delivering responsible, community-driven solutions. Over the next week, I will be voting on bills to strengthen our schools, support working families, and invest in infrastructure that keeps our region safe and thriving. Thank you for staying engaged and ensuring your voice continues to guide my decisions in Sacramento.
| Legislative Update: The Final Sprint of 2025 |
It's a busy time in Sacramento, but I am proud to share with you that my bill, AB 1119, was passed by the California Legislature and now heads to the Governor's desk!
Many of my bills cleared a critical hurdle in the State Senate last week when the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to advance them in the legislative process. This committee assesses the financial impact of bills over $5,000. AB 237, which closes a loophole that made prosecuting criminal threats to sensitive locations like schools difficult, AB 841, which requires the State Fire Marshal to form a working group to recommend firefighter protective equipment for lithium ion fires, and AB 1074, which makes technical changes to CalWORKs to reduce family separations, are all moving forward to the Senate floor for consideration in the coming days. Unfortunately, my bill AB 279, which would update school library standards, did not pass the Senate Appropriations Committee this year.
With our legislative deadline to submit everything to the Governor's desk being September 12, we are expecting a busy schedule deliberating on bills over the next few days.
I authored 14 bills this year, and they have made significant progress. One bill is now with the Governor, three bills are about to be considered in the Senate, and five more bills are considered "two-year bills," meaning we will continue to work on them in the next legislative session in January.
Do you have an idea for a bill? I want to hear about it! Click here to submit ideas for legislation to my staff to review.
A Special Legislative Update:
Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access
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Immediately after the Summer Recess ended, I was proud to chair the first briefing of the Assembly Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access, an honor I am deeply grateful for as I show our region's leadership to delivering for our state's youth. This first-of-its-kind committee gathered testimony from the Department of Health Care Services, Children Now, and the University of California, highlighting the urgent need to expand and improve mental health services for young people across our state. This is more than just a policy discussion. It must be a call to action to ensure California's children have equitable access to the care and support they deserve.
Above: Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access while the Committee hears testimony from experts in their fields.
| Summer Recess: A Listening Session
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I'm proud to share that I spent my summer recess working to hear directly from the constituents who make our diverse district the best in the state. I wanted to share some of those meetings with you:
Constituent Conversations
I held my first community listening session, where I provided updates from Sacramento, and I listened to what's most important to our neighbors in the district. Constituents shared their views on bills like AB 942 that I opposed earlier this year because it would negatively impact solar customers in our district. I also heard constituents express their concerns about public safety, and I shared my efforts to advance AB 237, which closes a dangerous loophole that prevented law enforcement from prosecuting cases where individuals made threats to sensitive spaces like schools and hospitals, allowing law enforcement to keep our communities safe.
Raise Lake Hodges
Community leaders joined me to discuss concerns about public safety, tourism, and recreation. These concerns are a result of the low water levels of Lake Hodges causing increased amounts of brush posing fire threats. I was proud to share that I secured $1.22 million in the California State Budget to fund fire mitigation efforts for vegetation clearance at Lake Hodges.
University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America Local 9119
Leaders from UPTE-CWA Local 9119 joined me to highlight their important and impactful work in university laboratories at the University of California, San Diego. UCSD could lose more than $150 million annually due to the federal NIH indirect cost reimbursement caps. That loss could potentially lead to the loss of 3,000 jobs. As a former research scientist, I genuinely appreciated the stories they shared.
Initiate Justice Institute of Impacted Leaders
It was my pleasure to meet these emerging community leaders as they learned about policy-making in California and how they can advocate for themselves, their communities, and their loved ones through the legislative process.
Sierra Club San Diego
Thank you to the Sierra Club leaders for sharing their legislative priorities with me as they work to keep our region's families safe and protect our environment both here in San Diego and across the state.
San Marcos Boys & Girls Club Flapjacks for Backpacks
I was proud to sponsor the San Marcos Boys & Girls Club's Flapjacks for Backpacks event, which brought our community together to support local students as they prepare for the new school year. This effort guarantees that kids have the supplies they need to learn and succeed while showcasing the generosity and spirit of our region. Investing in our young people is one of the best ways to secure the future of North County.
Above: Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel serves pancakes to event attendees, Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel with San Marcos Firefighters, and Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel handing out school supplies to students.
Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame
I was honored to join the three remarkable honorees being inducted into the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame: Carl Kruse, Harvey Levine, and Alan Turner. Their leadership, perseverance, and community impact inspire us all. Their stories reflect the generosity, perseverance, and spirit that make Rancho Bernardo so special. It was a privilege to celebrate their achievements and the legacy they are building for future generations.
Above: Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel joins Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame Honorees for their Induction.
Federation of Indian Associations' 79th Anniversary of Indian Independence
I was honored to join the Federation of Indian Associations in celebrating the 79th anniversary of Indian Independence, a moment that honors the resilience and sacrifices of those who fought for freedom. The event was an excellent opportunity to reflect on the values of democracy, diversity, and community that connect India and the United States. Gathering with so many families and community leaders made the celebration especially meaningful, emphasizing the strength of our shared heritage and hopes for the future.
Above: Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel joins leaders of the Federation of Indian Associations to present a resolution celebrating the 79th Anniversary of India's independence.
| Spirit of the 76th Photo Contest |
I'm inviting high school students to share photos they feel capture the Spirit of the 76th through a Photo Contest!
High School students, who live in the district or attend high school within the district, are welcome to submit photos capturing the spirit of our district as photos. The subject could be iconic landmarks, events, buildings or businesses, landscapes, or anything you feel represents the diversity of our district!
All entrants will receive a California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition and the 15 winners will have their photo framed and exhibited in the State Capitol or District Office.
Deadline to submit is Sunday, September 28 at 11:59 PM and winners will be announced on Friday, October 3 on social media.
| Apply For a District Office Internship |
The District Office is now accepting applications
for our Fall Internship Program!
The California State Assembly District Office Internship Program offers high school and college students a unique opportunity to participate in and experience the work of a state Assembly office. The program exposes students to district office operations and the activities of a legislator's work. These experiences include working with constituents, conducting community outreach efforts, assisting community-based organizations, organizing civic events and projects, database development and upkeep, staffing the office, and other activities.
Internships are available to those who are currently enrolled in high school or college. Depending on their high school or college programs, our office is willing to coordinate with a student's education institution for school credit for participating as an intern.
Many legislators and senior policy staff began their careers by interning in a district office. It is an invaluable way to gain a true understanding of California's democratic process, as well as an excellent opportunity to make important contacts while serving the community.
Interns will gain valuable education and work experience by fully participating in agreed-upon hours of work. All internship work is voluntary and students will not receive any monetary compensation. Unpaid internships are available to all part-time or full time students. For college Students: Depending on their high school or college programs, students may also receive different types of school credits for participating as an intern.
If you are interested in participating in the 76th Assembly District Office Internship Program, simply complete the online application below.
As space becomes available, qualified candidates will be invited for an interview. Thank you for your interest in this very unique opportunity to serve your community.
Our office is open and serving constituents in a number of ways. You can contact us by completing the form on our website, calling, emailing, or stopping by our office. We are here to help! We are proud to be open during hours that serve working people Monday through Friday.
Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel's contact form from the website.
What can we do for you? My office's job is to connect you with resources and help solve problems. Here are some recent ways we have helped constituents:
- $310,638.68 year-to-date in owed EDD funds to constituents
- Shared our "Unlocking Homeownership Webinar with 182 constituents
- Worked on 38 cases for constituents needing state services or assistance
- Received 333 comments on legislation through our website
Please reach out to us!
Yours in service,
Dr. Darshana R. Patel
Assemblymember, District 76
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory and homelands of the Luiseño/Payómkawichum people. For more information please go to www.csusm.edu/cicsc.
