Catching Up With Rick - Legislative Update
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2025 Legislative Session is now well past the halfway mark and I'm proud to share an update on where my bills stand in the legislative process. As you know, we've already achieved one of my biggest priorities this year, passing the California Film and TV Jobs Act, which is already working to revive the film and television industry and bring jobs back to California.
Through the rest of the legislative session, I remain focused on some of California's most pressing challenges, addressing housing and homelessness, improving infrastructure, advancing climate action and environmental protections, strengthening LGBTQ+ civil rights, health care and combating antisemitism in our schools.
I was honored to join the Hollywood Chamber's State of the State as a panelist, where we discussed key issues impacting Hollywood and Assembly District 51, including what’s next for our local economy following the signing of the California Film & TV Tax Credit. I also enjoyed connecting with neighbors during National Night Out in both Hollywood and West Hollywood, where community members and local law enforcement came together to strengthen trust and safety.
Whether you're a student, parent, worker or small business owner, my team and I are here to support you. I'm grateful every day for the opportunity to serve and for the inspiring individuals and organizations that make our community such a vibrant and compassionate place.
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
Democratic Caucus Chair
51st Assembly District
2025 Legislative Package
The remainder of this year's legislative package reflects our shared values, prioritizing housing and homelessness solutions, climate action, LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing and education. All of the bills listed below are currently in the Senate. If they pass their respective committees, including Senate Appropriations, they will move to a vote on the Senate Floor. Some may then return to the Assembly for a concurrence vote before heading to the Governor's desk.
Housing & Homelessness
AB 648 – Streamlining Student & Staff Housing: With 25% of community college students experiencing homelessness, this bill gives community colleges the tools they need to create more housing so students and staff have a safe place to live. This will make it easier for students to stay in school and teachers to keep teaching.
Infrastructure & Transportation
AB 891 – Quick-Build Bikeways: Requires Caltrans to create simple, cost-effective plans to improve safety by building more walking paths and bike lanes.
Disaster Response
AB 478 – FOUND Act: Inspired by the story of Oreo the Pomeranian, who was reunited with his owner after the Palisades Fire, this bill requires cities and counties to adopt emergency rescue and reunification plans for pets during disasters.
Climate & Environmental Protection
AB 39 – Electrification Plans: Requires larger cities and towns to make plans for switching to clean electricity, so renters, low-income families and people who park on the street have access to EV chargers and can upgrade their homes with electric appliances.
LGBTQ+ Civil Rights & Health Care
AB 309 – HIV & Hepatitis Prevention: Keeps in place life-saving access to sterile syringes to prevent the spread of disease.
AB 1084 – Accurate & Affirming Records: Speeds up the process for transgender and nonbinary Californians to update critical legal documents that they need to live their lives safely and authentically.
Education & Antisemitism
AB 715 – Combating Hate in K-12 Education: Protects children who are facing alarming levels of antisemitism in K-12 schools by fostering safe and supportive learning environments for all students.
Hollywood Chamber State of the State
State legislators at the annual Hollywood Chamber State of the State Forum discuss key issues impacting our communities on Thursday, August 7, 2025. From left: Rick Chambers, Senator María Elena Durazo, Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur.
I was honored to join the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce's 2025 State of the State Forum alongside my legislative colleagues, Senator Maria Durazo and Senator Ben Allen, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Hollywood and Assembly District 51. We covered a wide range of topics, from housing and public safety to infrastructure and economic development and I was especially proud to highlight the next steps following the signing of my bill to modernize the California Film & TV Tax Credit. Hollywood's creative economy is central to our district's identity and vitality, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with local leaders, businesses and residents to bring people back to work in California's iconic film and TV industry.
Coming Together at National Night Out
Assemblymember Zbur and Senator Durazo hand out Certificates of Recognition to the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Division on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
National Night Out is an annual event that brings neighbors and law enforcement together to build safer, more connected communities. This year, I was proud to join celebrations in both Hollywood and West Hollywood. In Hollywood, at an event hosted by the Hollywood Community Policing Advisory Board, I presented Certificates of Recognition to the LAPD Hollywood Division in honor of their commitment to fostering trust with the community. Later in West Hollywood, I was able to speak with members of the West Hollywood Public Safety Commission about the most significant issues the community is facing. I also caught up with Congresswoman and former Assembly colleague Laura Friedman, as well as Elyse Eisenberg, Chair of the West Hollywood Heights Neighborhood Association, who hosted a wonderful gathering that emphasized how vital it is for residents and police to know, respect, and trust one another.
Assemblymember Zbur (left) stands with West Hollywood Heights Neighborhood Association Chair Elyse Eisenberg (middle) and Congresswoman Laura Friedman at West Hollywood's National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Fourth of July
Asm. Zbur smiles from his car in the Santa Monica Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025.
I was proud to take part in Santa Monica's annual Fourth of July Parade this year. Seeing so many families, friends and neighbors coming together to celebrate our nation's founding ideals, equality, justice and democracy, reminds me how fortunate we are to live in such a vibrant and engaged district and how important it is to keep working toward an America that lives up to its promise for all.
Celebrating Pride
Asm. Rick Chavez Zbur and Asm. Jessica Caloza wave flags from their car at the LA Pride Parade on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
This year, I celebrated Pride at two incredible Pride parades, showing why visibility and solidarity are more important than ever. In Hollywood, I joined my colleague Assemblymember Jessica Caloza to ride in support of LGBTQ+ equality for the LA Pride Parade. In West Hollywood, I had the joy of joining the parade with two of my kids by my side, showing them firsthand the power of love and inclusion while representing Equality California, the organization I led before joining the Legislature.
Amid the joy, we can't ignore the reality of our time. This administration continues to launch relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, from attempts to roll back protections to efforts that undermine the safety and dignity of our community. Pride is a celebration, but it is also a call of action to defend the progress we've fought for and to keep pushing until every person can live authentically and free from discrimination.
To My Constituents
Please know that my office is always here to serve you. Please reach out to my district office for assistance at (323) 436-5184 if we can be of service.