Assemblymember Dawn Addis authored the resolution to rename a 4.3-mile portion of Highway 46 of the historically dangerous roadway — infamously referred to as “Blood Alley” — after the famous actor. Addis previously told The Tribune she was inspired to author Assembly Concurrent Resolution 101 in part to reinvent the notorious roadway while recognizing Dean’s contributions to arts and film in the 1950s.

“We’re really glad to get this done,” she said at the time. “Most importantly for the safety and welfare of the millions of people that traverse this section of highway, but also to be able to honor one of America’s greats.”

“When he died here, he was on a route that many people take,” Addis said. “Now driving the new highway, I understand how safe it is for millions of people who need to travel this roadway as they visit this region from all over the world.”

Assemblymember Addis also stated in Senator Laird’s press release that the $16 million comes from PG&E shareholders rather than taxpayers or customers who pay utility rates.

“It is crucial that PG&E fulfill its responsibility to our community by restoring critical funding that was missing from the 2025–2030 extension of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant operations,” Assemblymember Addis wrote. “This is critical for our students and the public agencies who serve the most vulnerable throughout San Luis Obispo County.”

Assemblymember Dawn Addis told KSBY News the money will help the city get in line with the rest of San Luis Obispo County and meet requirements for the Department of Justice to protect people’s personally identifiable information.

“Be able to protect that information even during communications, so it’s vital funding to upgrade the system and also create more safety for the officers,” Addis said.

Addis added that being from the area, she knows how vital emergency communications can be for small coastal towns.

“Right now, we’re seeing the second and third largest wildfires in California just to our north, our neighbors in Big Sur, and so we know that disaster can strike at any time,” Addis said.

Written by Margaux Morgan, Mayor of Capitola.

A huge milestone for the city of Capitola was celebrated Aug. 25! We held a grand opening event for two wonderful projects. Thanks to Assemblymember Dawn Addis, the city was able to embark on the much-needed renovation of the Jade Street Park Community Center. This Community Center serves as a major hub of the community for folks of all ages, participating in all types of programs. For that, we are truly grateful to have been able to bring this building to an upgraded, more user-friendly state all around.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) announced nearly $32 million in funding for Central Coast programs and projects as part of California’s final 2026-27 state budget.

The funding will support communities from Santa Cruz County to San Luis Obispo County, addressing both immediate needs and long-term priorities.

Funding secured during this legislative cycle includes:

• $1 million for Planned Parenthood Central Coast
• $1.3 million for the City of Morro Bay’s Police emergency communications system
• $618,000 for Bixby Bridge traffic enforcement
• $12 million for Diablo Canyon land acquisition and conservation

Party representatives would need to certify that their candidates for president are eligible, under the 22nd Amendment, to run for the role. That amendment says: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Assembly Bill 1539, by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, is in response to Trump, who has floated the idea of seeking a third term. The certification would occur under the penalty of perjury, meaning a person could be prosecuted criminally for saying someone is eligible when they aren’t.

“Local communities and our democracy as whole thrives when parents serve in elected office,” she said. “But for far too long, barriers have made it harder for expectant and new parents to do so.”

Assemblymember Dawn Addis has sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom urging him to declare an emergency in Monterey County over two fires that have burned more than 26,000 acres as of Friday morning.

In the letter, Addis asks Newsom to declare an emergency in Monterey County under the Emergency Services Act to aid with the ongoing Timber and Plaskett fires.

“I am especially grateful for the swift response from CAL FIRE, first responders and law enforcement, and communication from the Office of Emergency Services. As the damage is being assessed, additional assistance is needed to ensure the safety and eventual recovery of our community,” Addis said

Assemblymember Dawn Addis spoke about regional emergency-response cooperation and referenced the Timber Fire near Big Sur as an example of the need for regional training resources.

Addis and Rep. Jimmy Panetta spoke about the importance of regional cooperation among emergency responders.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis co-sponsored Senate Bill 931 with Laird, and she applauded the recent agreement, but she said there’s still more work to be done to restore the remainder of the unitary tax funding.

“Since my time in the Legislature, I have worked non-stop to ensure San Luis Obispo County residents’ voices are at the table,” she said in the news release. “It is crucial that PG&E fulfill its responsibility to our community by restoring critical funding that was missing from the 2025–2030 extension of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant operations.”

Assembly Bill 1159 will not limit any student’s access to information about scholarships, college recruitment or admission opportunities, Addis said — but if passed, it would close a slew of loopholes in the state’s data protection laws that are creating dangerous circumstances where young peoples’ information can be collected, sold or stolen.

The bill also aims to extend a group of data privacy protections currently offered to preschool and grade-school students through the K-12 Pupil Online Personal Information Protection Act (KOPIPA) and the Early Learning Personal Information Protection Act (ELPIPA) to college students as well, by creating the Higher Education Student Information Protection Act.

“Programs like Meals That Connect reminds us that caring for our seniors is both a responsibility and a reflection of our values,”

said Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) at a recent anniversary celebration.

“Their work helps older adults remain independent in their own homes while giving families the peace of mind that someone is checking in and looking out for their loved ones. It’s an invaluable service that strengthens our communities, and one we’re fortunate to have here in our County.”

“The reality is that we’re in a very hard time, and next year it’s going to be a very hard time as well.”

Cal Poly has secured $1 million in funding to evaluate long-term solutions for addressing healthcare workforce shortages on the Central Coast.

Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Dawn Addis announced the funding for the university’s 2026-27 budget.

The study will analyze the current physician shortages and barriers to recruiting in an effort to address future workforce needs.

“One of the most urgent needs across California is healthcare – and that starts with the ability to see a doctor,” said Dawn Addis. “Through numerous committee hearings, I have fought to secure funding that invests in increasing the physician workforce on the Central Coast, and I am proud that we are delivering for California, especially at a time when H.R. 1 is rolling back healthcare in ways we have not seen before.”

In addition to evaluating the shortage of healthcare workers on the Central Coast, the study will also examine the possibility of creating a medical school campus on the Central Coast.

California’s $352 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 allocates $5 million to CenCal Health — which administers Medi-Cal coverage on the Central Coast — to run a local pilot training program for parents, caregivers and providers of those who struggle with severe mental illnesses.

“A lot of folks described sort of a success cliff … as soon as they start to really level off and be functional, a lot of the services start to drop away,” Addis told The Tribune. “We wanted to craft it in a way where we could have services that would continue to wrap around the individual to provide continued supports.”

“In the last handful of years, you know, it’s been devastating, the die-off of the monarchs, we’ve lost 95% in the last 35 years or so,” San Luis Obispo County Assemblymember Dawn Addis told The Tribune. “It’s been widely reported where we went from millions to thousands, and just the grave, grave harm, and (we’ve been) trying to figure out something to do about that.”

She recently authored a bill in the California Legislature to better protect the butterfly species and help reverse the dramatic population decline. Assembly Bill 2254, or the Coastal Monarchs Protection Act, introduced by Addis, D-Morro Bay, and co-authored by Assemblymembers Gregg Hart, D-Santa Barbara, and Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Los Angeles, would require local governments with overwintering sites in the coastal zone to create and implement policies that protect monarch habitats.

After Dawn Addis, a Democrat from the small Central Coast city of Morro Bay, was first elected to the State Assembly in 2022, she led the creation of the Central Coast Legislative Caucus, a group of 11 elected officials from five counties (Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura) striving to reflect an actual region.

“The biggest reason to get us all together in a more formalized relationship was so we can advocate—particularly in the budget, but also with policy—to uplift the Central Coast and all it gives to California,” Addis says.

Four years ago, the council and mayor approved an ordinance to phase out oil drilling citywide. But oil companies challenged the law, and it was eventually overturned in court.

Yaroslavsky said she worked with Assemblywoman Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, to establish AB 3233, giving cities and counties greater authority to impose restrictions on oil and gas operations.

In 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the AB 3233 into law…

Assembly Bill 1876, authored by District 30 Assembly Member Dawn Addis, would make it illegal for health insurance plans in California to deny coverage or benefits to someone based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

“AB 1876 would codify the federal anti-discrimination provisions of the Affordable Care Act into California state law in the face of the federal administration rollback of discrimination protections,” Addis said.

Addis, a third-term assemblywoman, came to politics via the Women’s March movement and was elected to the Morro Bay City Council in 2018 — an experience she said was an “eye opener” for the challenges that women and moms face while serving in local government. But the 2024 Bay Area News Group article about Cisneros’ experience left her “stunned” at yet another obstacle she didn’t know women in politics faced. The Family Friendly City Councils Act, she said, would be a “logical fix” without any fiscal impact on the state.

Vulnerable Californians depend on the healthcare system California has built and expanded,” Addis said in the statement. “We are funding the programs that protects access to care for millions of Californians, including women, seniors, children, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and more.”

Addis said local legislators hold more power than ever before due to the newly formed Central Coast caucus, composed of lawmakers representing counties along the coast ranging from Santa Cruz all the way down to Ventura.

“It is the first time in history that we’ve had a formalized relationship across both houses, where we work together to bring legislation forward that we know is not just right for California, but is specifically right for the Central Coast to bring your voices to the Capitol,”

As of June 3, Addis had more than 37,000 of the votes counted across the district, which covers parts of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz counties. She’s trailed by Republican Shannon Kessler who had almost 27,000 votes and fellow Democrat Susannah Brown with about 6,200.

“Voting is what makes democracy work, and I’m truly grateful to everyone who has made their voice heard in this election,” Addis said in a statement, adding that she was honored to serve the Central Coast. “While I feel positive about where we are right now, I’m watching the returns, and I look forward to tracking results over the coming days.”

AB 1159, Student Personal Information, closes privacy gaps for California college students by preventing educational technology from using student data to train and develop AI, according to the CalMatters Digital Democracy database. The bill extends sensitive personal information and student data protections into higher education, according to Addis.

“I think there’s a piece around privacy, but there’s also a piece around being able to protect your future as a college student and not be leveraged by big tech, basically that’s either selling your data or using your data to sell products to you,” Addis said in an interview with Mustang News.

Dawn Addis, the California state assemblymember who represents San Luis Obispo, impacts Cal Poly students through law and policy action. Assemblymember Addis puts effort towards affordable housing for students and communities as well as student data privacy.

“An important part of working in the legislature is knowing what it’s like for college aged students,” Addis said in an interview with Mustang News.

“The monarch butterfly is an iconic symbol of migration and resilience for California,” said Addis in a press release. “Here on the Central Coast, the Monarch helps generate significant year-round revenue for tourism each fall, as monarchs travel thousands of miles to overwinter in groves along California’s Central Coast – nesting together in cypress, pine and eucalyptus trees from Pacific Grove to Point Mugu.

“AB 2691 draws a clear line, one that’s been needed for far too long and is too urgent to ignore: those convicted of felony sexual assault or human trafficking should not be on the ballot to hold positions of public office. It’s a matter of trust.” said Addis.

“ICE agents continue acting outside the law at the behest of a federal administration that has no respect for the rule of law,” said Addis. “No one should live in fear of their own government. In this moment, now more than ever, it is critical that we stand strong and hold ICE agents and private police accountable so we can ensure that survivors have access to justice.”

“I’m proud that AB 1539 just passed out of its first committee with bi-partisan support. My bill sends a clear message: California protects our elections,” said Addis. “While the President postures for a third term – including selling “Rewrite the Rules” merchandise and refusing to say he will refrain from a third-term attempt, it is more urgent than ever that California act. AB 1539 is a clear, straightforward way to protect our democracy and make clear that we will not tolerate any erosion of the Constitution.”

“Californians should be able to both grow their families and serve in local office—full stop. Yet archaic laws are forcing too many moms to publicly divulge their personal health information, publicly ask for their council permission to request family leave, or choose between public service and raising a family. We can fix this,” said Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay). “AB 2134 will ensure that public servants caring for and starting young families are not penalized for doing so.”

“At a time when families are paying closer attention to what’s on their table, they deserve transparency, clear choices, and protection,” said California Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay). “It’s unacceptable that food and beverage companies can self-certify ingredients as safe with little to no federal oversight. AB 2034 closes that loophole, strengthens accountability, and puts public health ahead of corporate convenience.”

California Assemblymember Dawn Addis released a statement saying, “I thank Dolores Huerta for her strength and courage in coming forward. I am also grateful to United Farm Workers for believing survivors and taking appropriate action in this moment. Across our state and nation, too many survivors have been forced to carry their experiences in silence: ignored when they try to speak, dismissed or even attacked by those in power. Survivors must be believed. They must have full access to justice, and their voices must be heard. Together, we must continue this fight.”

Addis stressed that reefs and marine ecosystems are a vital pillar of the state’s biodiversity and economy, with coastal tourism generating about $51 billion a year — and that “manmade factors” are damaging both.

Committee chair Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, said access to doctors is one of the biggest issues in her district on the Central Coast.

“I’ve heard from people almost daily that they would like to see a doctor. They have insurance,” Addis said. “They go to make an appointment and they simply can’t get an appointment because there’s just not enough doctors in the system.”

This year, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, a San Luis Obispo Democrat, is carrying a high-profile state bill that would add new protections for students. She says it’s important, especially as the Trump admin is trying to collect data about California residents’ immigration status, gender identity, and their use of certain public benefits.

“The regular working people who keep our campuses running continue to struggle to make ends meet,” Assemblymember Dawn Addis said in a Feb. 5 letter to CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia. “If solutions can be found to navigate fiscal challenges to support raises for those at the top, CSU leadership must be able to support the skilled trade workers who are vital to campus operations.”

“Healthy foods are essential to a healthy life, and Californians deserve clear, honest information about what they’re putting in their bodies,” said Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay). “For far too long, companies have exploited vague labeling and federal loopholes to conceal dangerous chemicals in the foods that families trust. AB 2034 will close those loopholes and strengthen transparency. No one should have to guess what’s in their food or worry that they’re unknowingly exposing themselves or their children to harmful chemicals simply by sitting down to eat.”

If passed, AB1744 would make it illegal to present advertising or label sunscreens as “ocean safe” if they don’t meet the full requirements.

“People from across the Central Coast really do want to be buying products that they know are safe for our reefs and our oceans, and so the bill creates transparency around reef-safe advertising,” Assemblymember Addis said.

“I want to align myself with the idea of compassion. I think California has done a lot to try to be on the compassionate side of the justice system,” said Assemblymember Dawn Addis, a Democrat from San Luis Obispo.

“But I think, in this moment,” she added, “we have tragically failed.”

If passed, AB1744 would make it illegal to present advertising or label sunscreens as “ocean safe” if they don’t meet the full requirements.

“People from across the Central Coast really do want to be buying products that they know are safe for our reefs and our oceans, and so the bill creates transparency around reef-safe advertising,” Assemblymember Addis said.

“Around 94% of our people had access to healthcare, and that’s not a failure,” Addis said. “That’s absolute success, and we should be proud on all sides of the political spectrum.”

California Assembly Member Dawn Addis, who represents parts of San Luis Obispo County, Monterey and Santa Cruz, is working on two pieces of legislation designed to make the Central Coast more appealing to new physicians.

“One for med school loan payback for people who go serve in high need areas, which of course, the Central Coast is one of those, and the other to fund residency programs because the data shows that the majority of people stay and practice where they’ve completed their residency,” Addis said.

“Homeownership is one of the most important pathways toward long-term stability, and I remain committed to doing everything I can to make sure it becomes a reality for more Californians,” said Addis. “That means putting all options on the table, including examining the role large corporate investors play in our housing market.” (Page 21A)

Assemblymember Dawn Addis, who represents parts of San Luis Obispo County, also joined the crowd. She said she felt compelled to be there as a lawmaker and the daughter of a nurse.

“The community is in pain,” Addis said, “Neighbors are really under attack. ICE and the federal administration has really not just made people afraid, but given them a true cause to be afraid. And nurses are the life blood of many communities.”

California Assemblymember Dawn Addis, a Democrat whose district includes Big Sur, said the restoration will provide a much-needed fiscal boost to the region.

“This turning point will help restore revenue, access to our state parks, support jobs, public safety, and economic stability for many of our residents,” Addis said in a statement.

“The truth is that we, for the first time in 40 years, have a president who is pushing to not contract, but expand oil drilling off our shores — and it’s a threat to the industries that sustain us, while providing minimal economic benefit for the people, as well as disastrous consequences for public health and vulnerable marine habitats,” Addis said.

“While Venezuela’s leaders have caused immense harm to their own people, President Trump bypassing Congress and the American people in a direct takeover does not make us safer. We are a nation of laws, and the president must operate within, not outside of, them. American democracy is a flame that has never been blown out, and we cannot allow one man’s autocratic ideation to extinguish it now.”

California Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D) said the industry pushed back harder against proposed policies this year after it failed to stop legislation she put forward last year that became law giving localities the power to stop oil production within their borders. Plus, President Donald Trump has lifted up the oil industry and harped on clean energy sources, she said.

In a joint statement, Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, co-chairs of the caucus, and Vice Chairs Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, and Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, said they were responding to what they described as a terrorist attack that killed at least 15 people at the community Hanukkah event.

State Assemblymember Dawn Addis, however, urged the commission to require PG&E to preserve the entirety of the South Ranch immediately.

“I think today is a real opportunity to restore accountability and to restore trust when it comes to potential continued operations of the nuclear power plant,” she said.

Assemblymember Addis warned that after federal cuts to MediCal this year, any additional reduction in healthcare spending could be destabilizing.

California 30th District Assemblymember Dawn Addis called the salary adjustments “unbelievable” and urged presidents to reject the raises and prioritize bumping up employee salaries to keep up with the rising cost of living in California.

“We lead on clean energy, but PG&E and SCE have to stop slowing us down,” Assemblymember Dawn Addis, one of the letter’s signatories, said in a release from CALSSA. “Every missed deadline costs families and businesses money and stalls our climate progress. With major federal timelines approaching, the CPUC must enforce the rules and ensure utilities deliver.”

Assemblywoman Dawn Addis, D-San Luis Obispo, said people living near the facilities remain concerned. A bill Addis introduced this spring in Sacramento to prohibit new battery storage plants near schools, homes, parks and businesses died after opposition from labor unions and the energy industry.

“The study confirms people’s worst fears, unfortunately,” Addis said of the new research. “We need battery storage. It’s important. But it’s important local communities are safe. And we need to be vigilant.”

A coalition of 18 California legislators is applying pressure on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to enforce existing regulations regarding the interconnection of customer-sited solar and energy storage systems.

The legislators, led by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), submitted a formal letter to the commission demanding accountability for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE), citing consistent failures to meet state-mandated timelines…

“It is unbelievable that the CSU would use public funds to increase the pay of their most highly compensated executives, who already make dozens of times more than their lowest-paid employees, while the regular working people who teach our students, keep our campuses running, and ensure students are supported struggle to afford life in California,” Addis said in a statement.

On Monday, Nov. 24, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, expressed her disagreement with the board of trustees’ direction. “At a time when the average Californian is fighting to make ends meet, I urge CSU presidents to reject these pay bumps and to prioritize bringing frontline teachers’ and staff salaries in line with the true cost of living in our state,” Addis said.

Catholic Charities will use this investment to expand and strengthen its immigration legal services across the areas it serves which includes Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo and San Benito counties.

At a time when the federal government is dismantling civil rights protections in K-12 schools, California is expanding them.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis said, “Today’s announcement by the Trump Administration to open up offshore oil leases moves us decades into the past,” said Addis “Doing so will ravage our most precious resources and the health of our communities. California is cutting emissions while growing our economy as we lead into the future. It’s time for the federal administration to work with, not against, our great state. I have always fought to protect our coast and advance our clean-energy future, and I will continue to work towards removing California from this proposal.”

Catholic Charities of the Central Coast has received $1.5 million in state funding to expand legal services for immigrant families across the region.

The funding is part of a $25 million allocation by the state to provide legal support to immigrants, and a portion of it has now been granted to Catholic Charities. California Assemblymember Dawn Addis highlighted the need for this funding after learning about a woman’s struggle to obtain legal assistance.

“People are scared. The biggest thing that I hear is fear and trepidation about what the future is going to hold for them,” Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-San Luis Obispo, and chair of the Budget Subcommittee on Health, told The Center Square. “There’s a lot of fear where people are starting to think about if they’re going to need a second or third job. Are they going to have to cut back on other basic needs?”

Much of that worry is centered on expiring health insurance subsidies, Addis said.

Tune into the Hometown Radio Podcast regarding the future of the land around Diablo Canyon. You can listen to my comments at timestamp 21:00.

Scammers are getting smarter and seniors are often their main targets.

That’s why Assemblymember Dawn Addis and local leaders hosted a Senior Scam Stoppers event on Wednesday to help residents spot fraud before it’s too late.

In May 2025, Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) proposed AB 1008, saying it would be “a vital source of revenue: for San Luis Obispo County.”

At that time, Addis said, “This legislation supports our visitor-serving businesses, restaurants, and tasting rooms to expand their offerings.”

In May, KSBY reported that Assembly Bill 1008 proposed by Assemblymember Dawn Addis aimed to bring 10 new liquor licenses to San Luis Obispo County. Last week, that bill was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and will go into effect next year.

“It really is time to help our local businesses access new licenses,” Addis said.

Catholic Charities of the Central Coast will receive $1.5 million of a $5 million budget allocation secured by Assemblymembers Dawn Addis and Esmeralda Soria as part of a statewide effort to strengthen legal service infrastructure in underserved regions.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), who championed the bill, emphasized its importance: “This bill will help ensure our public health departments can employ the Registered Environmental Health Specialist they need to conduct the important water, air, and soil testing.

Assembly Bill 1336, now awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature or veto, is the latest skirmish in a decades-long conflict over protecting workers from heat effects on their health, whether they work outdoors or inside.

[Dawn Addis:] While the federal government unwinds climate progress at warp speed, I reject the assertion that forward movement is dead. So, I traveled to Climate Week NYC the week of Sept. 21 to share California’s groundbreaking work and learn from others. I believe in policy initiatives to help create a livable climate, detailed below.

“We’re really glad to get this done,” Addis said. “Most importantly for the safety and welfare of the millions of people that traverse this section of highway, but also to be able to honor one of America’s greats.”…

…In a time where farmworkers are being targeted and terrorized by the federal government, creating legitimate fear of speaking up for workplace safety, California must show the nation what true leadership looks like….

…Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, asked the state Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE) for their support of the bill…

That changed in 2024 when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 2173, which allowed the state to instead use the less-stigmatizing phrase “emotional disability.” The bill’s author, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, asked the state Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE) for their support of the bill.

…Assemblymembers Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) and Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara), […] submitted a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during the public comment period urging the federal government to uphold the Roadless Rule…

This is why we […]introduced AB 1288. This bill will help revitalize the REHS career pipeline by modernizing the REHS review board, streamlining the path to certification and increasing pathways for hands-on training.

As a member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance, Addis has participated in five recent Sustainable Insurance Strategy Oversight Hearings focused on developing a long-term insurance plan to address changes and issues of under-insurance.

California Assemblymember Dawn Addis has introduced a resolution that would make the week of July 14-18 California western monarch protection week.

“My big concern around underinsurance is right now we’re having the very important conversation around can people get insurance or not. My big fear, and what I’ve heard from folks on the Central Coast is, I can get insurance but it’s simply not enough insurance,” Addis, D-Morro Bay (San Luis Obispo County)

The SLO Noor Foundation was recently recognized as the 2025 “Nonprofit of the Year” by California State Assembly member Dawn Addis representing District 30, which includes parts of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz counties.

“From protecting our coasts from offshore drilling to protecting our homes from wildfires, this year’s package aims to not just defend the residents of the Central Coast, but also people all over the state of California,” said Addis in a news release. “This year’s package takes a holistic view of the natural disaster landscape through bills that address the root cause of these disasters, climate change, while also making our environments and homes more resilient to storms, wildfires, and other natural disasters.”

A Central Coast assemblymember is urging residents to use immigration Rapid Response hotlines amid growing concerns about ICE enforcement in local communities.

State Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-30th District) held a press conference Friday morning at Pacheco Elementary School in San Luis Obispo to update the public on her bill, AB 1391. AB 1391 aims to secure funding for all transitional kindergarten (TK) programs across the state, including Basic Aid Districts like the San Luis Coastal Unified School District.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis will present her bill, AB 1391, to the state assembly for consideration.”It is a bill that creates equity for every single one of California’s 4-year-olds by providing early learning,” said Addis.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) introduced AB 1487, a bill sponsored by the TransLatin@ Coalition, a nationally recognized organization that provides essential services to TGI individuals in 10 states across the country. The legislation is aimed at strengthening the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund by expanding its scope and impact.

The Council voted unanimously to send a letter of support for Assembly Bill 303 (AB 303), proposed by Dist. 30 Assemblywoman Dawn Addis (D — Morro Bay) in the smoldering aftermath of a spectacular fire in January at the Moss Landing Battery Energy Storage System facility, owned by Vistra Energy, the same company that has proposed building an even bigger BESS plant at the old Morro Bay Power Plant property.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) urged the California Public Utilities Commission to conduct an independent investigation on the fire at the Vistra Battery Energy Storage System at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County.

The recent fire at Vistra Energy’s battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing is a wake-up call. It is more than just an isolated incident and a stark reminder of the risks tied to lithium-ion battery energy storage.[…] That’s why I introduced Assembly Bill 303, the Battery Energy Safety & Accountability Act, to improve safety standards and restore local oversight for energy storage facilities in California.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, and Monterey County District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church held a press conference in Moss Landing today, Jan. 23 with a twofold purpose: for Addis to talk about a bill she introduced Jan. 22, and for Church to give an update from the county’s perspective.

Addis spoke first in front of the small gaggle of reporters and residents in attendance, and started by saying she’d just returned from a special legislative session in Sacramento to approve $2.5 billion of aid to go toward responding to the aftermath of the devastating fires in L.A. County earlier this month.

Addis is calling on the California Public Utilities Commission to conduct an independent investigation into the Moss Landing fire.

MOSS LANDING, Calif. — Assemblymember Dawn Addis of District 30, representing Monterey County, calls for accountability and transparency following the Moss Landing fire.

“You know, look, Vistra and all of their vendors have, massive data sets that they are analyzing right now on that. They’re going to be analyzing. We need full transparency on that data,” Addis said.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) recently toured Tolosa Children’s Dental Center (TCDC), to learn about the critical need for accessible dental care for underserved youth in the county. TCDC is the only nonprofit pediatric provider in San Luis Obispo County.

Khouloud Pearson was honored for providing legal assistance to vulnerable residents across San Luis Obispo County, Assemblymember Dawn Addis announced in an Oct. 21 news release

The Central Coast State Parks Association’s 5th Annual Butterfly Ball was a remarkable success, uniting our community at the Octagon Barn in San Luis Obispo to celebrate environmental leadership and raise funds for the Western Monarch and CCSPA, organizers said.

“AB 3233 addresses the imbalance of power between local communities and major oil corporations,” Addis’ office said in a news release, “which have historically driven land use decisions at the expense of the residents’ health, safety, and environmental wellbeing.

The bill, AB 3233, by Assemblywoman Dawn Addis, D-Monterey, which the industry staunchly opposed, overturns a state Supreme Court ruling from last fall. In that case, the justices ruled in favor of Chevron and nullified a ballot measure that Monterey County voters passed in 2016 to ban new oil and gas wells there over pollution concerns, saying that state regulations took precedent.

Dr. Susan Swick, the first executive director of Ohana, Montage Health’s center for child and adolescent behavioral health, has been named Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, for her advancement of youth mental health treatment.

The decision spotlights tension between local and state drilling authority that the Legislature weighed in on two weeks ago when it passed Monterey County Assemblymember Dawn Addis’ A.B. 3233, which would give local governments authority to ban oil and gas operations.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis’ CA AB 3233 (23R) was crafted in response to a California Supreme Court ruling a year ago that struck down a voter-approved ban in Monterey County on new oil and gas wells. The court ruled the state’s authority over extraction methods superseded the local ban. Addis’ bill would provide that authority to local governments.

[John Laird & Dawn Addis:] Senate Bill 32 and Assembly Bill 197 are two recent state laws that require communities to reduce emissions and address the social costs of climate change. This project will help our local communities meet those goals.   According to one recent study, SURF! will reduce greenhouse gases by 1,283 metric tons of CO₂ annually — equivalent to sequestering 1,900 acres of forest.

Assembly member Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) recently announced the 2024 “Woman of the Year” honorees, recognizing community members within Assembly District 30.

“I am honored to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of these seven exceptional women,” said Addis. “Their leadership has profoundly strengthened our community and their dedication exemplifies the spirit of service and innovation of the Central Coast,”

AB2847 from Assembly Member Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay (San Luis Obispo County), would require PG&E and other utilities to be more transparent about the true costs of construction projects that get passed on to customers.

A bill by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) to affirm local-decision making on oil and gas operations has passed the Assembly. Assembly Bill 3233 reinforces the authority of local governments across California to regulate or prohibit oil and gas operations, bolstering efforts to protect community health and the environment.

[Assemblymember Addis] introduced Assembly Bill 3233, which would affirm the right of communities to make decisions about oil and gas operations that pose grave threats to public health, wildlife and the climate. AB 3233 passed in the California Assembly on May 22, by a vote of 43-14.

A new bill by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) to address soaring utility rates by increasing transparency to consumers successfully passed its first committee.

Assembly Bill 2847 passed out of the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee with bipartisan support.

We are writing to urge the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject the Proposed Decision on Application 23-06-008, which would grant Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) request for interim rate relief and allow them to recover an additional $516 million from ratepayers.

“There is a clear and concerning lack of protections for California’s students when it comes to their data privacy,” said Addis. “Advances like those in artificial intelligence have surpassed our state’s privacy laws, leaving our students vulnerable to irresponsible uses of their personal data. As technology continues to progress, so should the protections provided to Californians.”

“California is the second largest mushroom producer in the world,” said Addis in a news release. “It’s vital that mushroom consumers are provided transparency and that California’s farmers are recognized. AB 1833 will create marketplace transparency and recognition via a labeling system that lets consumers know if their mushrooms are produced right here in the Golden State. I’m proud to author this important bill that will create the first-ever grown in California label for California’s mushroom industry.”

Assemblywoman Dawn Addis, (D-Morro Bay) introduced AB 1861 to extend a vital program within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) that protects California’s picturesque vineyards and our iconic wine industry from deadly disease.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) is the new Assistant Majority Leader of Policy and Research. Speaker Robert Rivas appointed Addis who will lead the Assembly Office of Research and Policy and will oversee a staff of experienced policy experts who analyze and research the pressing issues California is facing, including climate change, economic inequality and housing.

The non-profit group Friends of El Moro Elfin Forest recently honored a longtime supporter of preserving the wilderness preserve of approximately 90 acres that is the home to a wide variety of native plants and animals.

Last month, Yolanda Waddell was honored at the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of El Moro Elfin Forest held at the Morro Shores Mobile Home Park in Los Osos.

Governor Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 358, the California Community College Housing Act, introduced by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay).

“The State Seal of Biliteracy is an important way for California to recognize the high achievement of multi-lingual learners,” said Addis said. “Students of all language backgrounds who meet high levels of achievement in English and an additional language should have equitable opportunities to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy. I appreciate the Governor’s commitment to uplifting California’s multilingual learners by providing all student with expanded yet rigorous opportunities to achieve the Seal.

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill into law that was authored by Central Coast Assemblymember Dawn Addis. The Biliteracy Advancement Act will change the current standards for earning a seal and allow students to demonstrate proficiency in English by adding more options than the standard test

The first version of the bill that Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and Assembly Member Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, introduced this year would have eliminated deadlines for filing such lawsuits entirely, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred. Addis called the current statute of limitations “cruel and arbitrary,” and noted that most victims don’t come forward until they are 50, according to some studies.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 370 into law. Authored by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), AB 370, known as the Biliteracy Advancement Act, aims to establish equity in the standards necessary to achieve the coveted State Seal of Biliteracy.

Legislation by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) that will end California’s arbitrary civil statute of limitations for minors who have experienced sexual abuse was approved by the State Assembly on a bipartisan basis today. The bill, Assembly Bill 452, now goes to the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom for his consideration.

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) has seven of her recently proposed bills that have successfully passed the State Legislature. Six of these bills now await Governor Gavin Newsom’s review and potential approval.

The bills championed by Addis encompass a range of crucial issues, including measures aimed at facilitating the construction of student and senior housing and providing support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Governor Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 358, the California Community College Housing Act, introduced by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay).

California Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 358, the California Community College Housing Act, introduced by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay). The bill aims to address student homelessness and housing challenges and is the first of Assemblymember Addis’ authored bills to become law.

Regardless of which option is ultimately chosen, it will take years to plan, get permitted and, perhaps most challenging, secure the necessary funding. In other words, there is no time to waste.

To that end, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, submitted a request on behalf of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County to fund some initial planning for the project. (Addis represents District 30, which includes Moss Landing and Elkhorn Slough.) The request was granted: On July 10, the state’s 2023-24 budget was signed into law, and included $1 million for TAMC to begin that planning process.

Four bills by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) passed out of policy committees in the State Assembly this week by unanimous and bipartisan votes.

A bill by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) to end the civil statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse unanimously passed its first committee in the State Assembly.

“Protecting our state’s ocean and coastal resources is an obligation of each generation of Californians,” Addis said. “I’m honored and thankful that Speaker Rendon has appointed me to this council to ensure that California prepares for and reduces the dramatic impacts of climate change on our oceans and coast.”

California District 30 Assemblymember Dawn Addis will be honoring Francisca Arroyo Rosales as Woman of the Year in District 30 during the state legislative session on Tuesday. Rosales is a former elementary school educator in Mexico City has focused her energy and time towards increasing academic success for students in the Monterey County.

Childhood victims of sexual abuse in California would no longer face deadlines to file civil claims against their alleged abusers under a new bill announced Monday by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) and Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). The Justice for Survivors Act seeks to end the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse, including claims against institutions that may have enabled or covered up abuse.