Latest News

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee approved AB 936 on a 7-1 vote. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Robert Rivas, puts key measures in place to protect California residents’ health and environment from the threat of a spill of nonfloating oil. The measure now heads to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

“Nonfloating oil poses unique challenges in the event of a spill because unlike lighter crude, the oil can quickly sink or become suspended in the water column,” explained Rivas. “California’s current oil spill response program does not have sufficient measures in place to ensure a state-of-the-art response to these heavy crude spills — spills that become more likely as the volume of that oil increases. That’s why I introduced Assembly Bill 936, to enhance response capabilities to ensure the state is prepared for the massive clean-up effort that would be associated with a spill of nonfloating oil in a river or bay."

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) announced a boost in funding to the Monterey County Health Department, Behavioral Health Division. 

“Addressing the unmet mental health needs in our communities is of vital importance,” Rivas said. “I’m pleased to see this funding allocation, which will support two new mobile crisis support teams in our district.”

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, both houses of the state Legislature approved the 2019-20 state budget and Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) issued the following statement:

“The Legislature has passed an on-time and balanced budget that prioritizes investments in our residents’ health, education and housing. I’m proud that my first budget vote takes bold steps to help more people in our communities live the California dream. Together, with the Senate and Governor, we have crafted a budget that takes historic steps to help all Californians today, while laying the foundation for an even brighter tomorrow.”

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) announced the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Healthy Soils Program (HSP) has awarded $422,720 to 12 projects in the 30^th Assembly District. The funding comes after the CDFA was appropriated $10 million from the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 and $5 million from the California Climate Investments by the Budget Act of 2018.  

“The Healthy Soils Program does tremendous work to support farmers and ranchers in developing environmentally friendly farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the health of our soil,” said Rivas. “These grants will provide an opportunity for our region to be an example of how we can adapt in the face of global warming and preserve our strong agricultural economy.”

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assemblymember Robert Rivas named Community Bridges as the 2019 Nonprofit of the Year for the 30^th Assembly District. The organization was honored for its public service at the 2019 California Nonprofits Day Luncheon on June 5^th, 2019, at the South Lawn of the California State Capitol.

“Community Bridges makes a difference every day in the lives of many in our community,” said Rivas. “Community Bridges provides critical services and programs to help meet the needs of the diverse population in our region. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that some of the most vulnerable residents in our community are supported.”

Since being elected as your Assemblymember in 2018, one of my priorities has always been to recognize and fight for farmworker families.

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the California State Assembly passed Assemblymember Robert Rivas’ (D-Hollister) AB 1623 – the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. This comes after $89 million was approved last week by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education for the program to increase the pipeline of fully credentialed teachers in subject shortage areas.

 “When you look across the State, school districts are having an incredibly difficult time recruiting fully qualified, credentialed teachers, especially in subject shortage areas like special education, bilingual education and STEM. This bill will help bring highly qualified teachers into our classrooms to ensure that our children receive the best possible education,” said Rivas.