SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) introduced Assembly Bill 1966 (AB 1966) which would task the California State Department of Public Health (CDPH) with developing public safety screening guidelines for Gene Synthesis companies operating in California. Gene synthesis is the process of designing and synthesizing sequences of DNA. Scientists have shown that it is possible to construct deadly diseases like Ebola by using bits of DNA that can be ordered online from gene synthesis companies throughout the world. Currently, there are no requirements that companies screen their customers or the orders of DNA that they request.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) introduced Assembly Bill 2326 (AB 2326) which will strengthen cybersecurity protocols at local schools by increasing coordination between the state and school districts while establishing best practices to respond to incidents in the future.

SACRAMENTO – Following Governor Gavin Newsom's State of the State Address this morning, Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) released the following statement:

“In the State of the State address, the Governor highlighted issues of clean water, affordable housing, and homelessness. I am pleased the Governor has committed to ensuring clean drinking water is available to all communities in the Valley, particularly in areas that have historically been left behind. I also applaud the Administration’s efforts to cut red tape to build more affordable housing and increase accountability and transparency with the state’s investments. I look forward to continuing our work on behalf of families in the Central Valley.

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymembers Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield), Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Grand Terrace) and Senator Connie Leyva unveiled a package of bills to protect the millions of children who have been failed by the state's health departments and exposed to dangerous amounts of lead.  

BAKERSFIELD – Today, Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) joined representatives from cities throughout Kern and Kings Counties to discuss accessing unprecedented levels of state funding for combatting the homelessness crisis in the Valley. Assemblymember Salas was instrumental in securing $650 million in new grant funding in the 2019-2020 state budget which cities, counties, and Continuums of Care’s (CoC) can access. This grant is through the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) was joined by leaders from the Central Valley and the Legislative Latino and Black Caucuses to recognize one of California’s most distinguished vocalists and jazz artists, Gregory Porter from Bakersfield. Mr. Porter was honored with an official resolution, which recognized his remarkable talents, as well as his support of charitable activities throughout the state.

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) introduced Assembly Bill 2007 (AB 2007) which will improve access to health care services for children and underserved families by ensuring that providers can deliver care using telehealth. This technology brings high-quality and safe care to children and adults, particularly in rural areas. Telehealth can be used in real time through video conferencing and can forward documents such as photos, x-rays, and other health records.