As blanket tariffs have caused disruptions to markets and businesses, Congressman Adam Gray (D-Merced) introduced his first bill in the House of Representatives on April 10 to defend America’s farmers against the effects of potential retaliation from global trading partners. 

The Stop Raising Prices on Food Act would revoke the President’s power to impose tariffs on agricultural products without congressional approval, protecting farmers from increased operating costs and decreased productivity related to retaliatory tariffs. Congressman Gray, representative for the world’s largest agricultural region, released the following statement upon introduction of the bill. 

“San Joaquin Valley farmers feed the world,” said Congressman Gray. “Reckless tariffs stand to threaten not only our nation’s food security, but California’s economy as well. The last time sweeping tariffs went into effect, specialty crop growers and agricultural producers in the Valley lost millions of dollars in revenue. We can’t afford to let it happen again.

“Valley farmers know that tariffs are a tax on producers and consumers. We know tariffs will punish our families and our communities. Rather than support our agricultural producers, Washington politicians have hiked costs in service of their partisan games and stuck Valley farmers with the bill.”

The Stop Raising Prices on Food Act would require congressional approval before tariffs could be applied to any country that represents a top five export market for US agricultural products. 

The American Farm Bureau estimates that new retaliatory tariffs from Canada, Mexico and China alone could impact nearly $30 billion in agricultural exports. 

According to the Department of Agriculture, California lost an estimated $683 million in crop revenue due to retaliatory tariffs following President Trump’s 2018 import duties on major trading partners. The most significant losses were concentrated in California’s processed and fresh fruits ($374 million), tree nuts ($199 million) and dairy products ($68 million), all top exports from the five counties comprising Congressman Gray’s congressional district. 

Overall, the Department of Agriculture estimates that American farmers lost over $27 billion in agricultural exports as a result of retaliatory tariffs from 2018 to 2019. 

Assemblymember Juan Alanis announced on April 9 that his priority election bills have cleared key votes and moved forward in the State Assembly.

“Recent elections have shown just how critical it is to get results out quickly and accurately,” said Assemblymember Alanis. “AB 16 is a practical proposal that empowers election officials to start processing ballots earlier, freeing up resources and getting more of the results reported more quickly. This will help restore trust in the election process.”

AB 16, passed unanimously out of the Assembly Elections Committee, seeks to improve election result timelines by allowing county elections officials to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots as soon as they are mailed out. This change will not only improve voter confidence but also support the work of local election officials.

“In the era of digital tools and modern elections, there is no reason the public should not have clear and easy access to precinct maps online and at no cost,” said the Assemblymember. “AB 17 helps eliminate confusion, promote civic engagement, and ensure every Californian—regardless of income or ZIP code—has the same access to essential information.”

AB 17 passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee with no opposition. This measure will require counties to provide digital precinct boundary maps to the public free of charge. These maps will help voters better understand what precinct lines they fall under for any election.

AB 16 will now go to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration, and AB 17 is pending a final vote on the floor of the Assembly. The Assemblymember said he plans to bring AB 17 to a full vote before the end of the month.

Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced) has introduced SB 419 – The Hydrogen Fuel Equity Act, a measure to streamline hydrogen taxation and make clean energy more accessible for Californians.

Currently, hydrogen-powered vehicle owners in California face an unfair double taxation system, paying both a Sales and Use Tax (SUT) at the pump and a $100 annual road improvement fee at registration. SB 419 seeks to correct this imbalance by aligning hydrogen taxation with local utility tax, to ensure a more equitable, clear and streamlined system without altering the existing registration fee.

“This bill will create tax parity for Zero Emissions Vehicles to encourage alternative vehicle fuel options, specifically hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This bill will encourage the development of new hydrogen fuel stations, more hydrogen powered vehicles, and more options for consumers.” - said Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced) “SB 419 will reinforce California’s climate change goals to reduce carbon emissions in the transportations sector. The bill will help encourage the production, consumption and proliferation of hydrogen fuel markets across the state.”

For decades, hydrogen has been taxed as a commodity, used in everything from agricultural fertilizers to chemical refining. However, with hydrogen now emerging as a key fuel source in California’s clean energy transition, existing taxation models are outdated and create an unnecessary financial burden for consumers. SB 419 will support clean energy adoption, consumer affordability and transportation infrastructure funding, all while helping California achieve its ambitious climate goals.

A sunset clause in 2031 would reassess the tax's effectiveness and its potential permanence.