Dear Neighbor,
Summer has arrived, and things are heating up both outside and in the Capitol. With key legislation moving through the process and the budget deadline fast approaching, it’s a pivotal moment for our state. Below are the latest updates from the Capitol and around Senate District 6.
Legislation to Watch
Here are some bills that are going through the legislative process in the Assembly right now. Once they pass appropriate committees in the Assembly, they will come back to the Senate side for a final vote before being presented to the Governor for his signature. For the full list of my legislation, visit https://bit.ly/niellobills.
Under California law, causing a death while driving can be charged as misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter when the conduct involves ordinary negligence. To hold people accountable and bring justice to victims and their families, I proposed Senate Bill 953 to require all vehicular manslaughter convictions to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Vigil for Victims and Families of Reckless Driving at the Capitol
I am honored to work with Connor Lopez’s mom, Allison Lyman, who lost her son in April 2025 when he was hit by a driver while on his motorcycle. Connor was a caring 23-year-old musician and piano teacher from Galt in my district. I am working on legislation to make sure people found guilty of vehicular manslaughter are held accountable.
Senate Bill 1047 requires the California Neurodegenerative Disease Registry to begin collecting data on frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) diagnoses across the state. FTD represents a group of progressive brain disorders that affect critical areas of the brain responsible for personality, behavior, language, and motor skills.
Walk for Hope 5K raised funds for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.
Emma Heming Willis recently penned an op-ed that was published widely, and you can read it at https://www.pressenterprise.com/2026/05/11/emma-heming-willis-why-california-must-track-frontotemporal-dementia/. I am thankful for Emma’s fierce advocacy and for her inspiring op-ed about the journey her family has gone through with her husband, Bruce Willis’, frontotemporal degeneration.
Have you ever checked whether California is holding money that actually belongs to you? Through the state’s unclaimed property portal on claimIt.ca.gov, many Californians discover forgotten bank accounts, old insurance payouts, unused utility deposits, and even uncashed checks waiting to be claimed. Senate Bill 1066 takes this a step further by reshaping how California handles unclaimed property altogether.
Click here to watch the SB 1066 bill presentation in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senate Bill 1002 seeks to allow patients that qualify for out-of-state telehealth care access to continue telehealth visits with their out-of-state provider after their eligibility ends.
Jake’s Journey Home
Congratulations to Jake’s Journey Home, Senate District 6 Nonprofit of the Year. Jake’s Journey Home was created in loving memory of Jake Shuman by his mother Jeanne and sister Nicole. What began as a family’s way to honor Jake’s spirit reached a beautiful milestone with the opening of the Community Assist Center, a place built on hope and healing. The center now offers essential wraparound services, including mental health support, inpatient care, job training, education pathways, and help with basic needs. It’s a space where people are seen, supported, and reminded that their story isn’t over.
Learn more about the incredible impact they’re making on vetsjourney.com.
Successful Casework Story
A mother requested urgent help regarding her 7-year-old son’s enrollment in a Medi-Cal Dental plan. He was in pain over the course of several months, all the while she was being pushed back and forth between different entities who kept telling her to go to seek help from the other agency. Our office was able to facilitate enrolling the constituent’s son in Medi-Cal Dental benefits as well as an appointment to get him care as soon as possible. The constituent was happy to report that her son’s surgery was successfully completed, and he is now recovering well.
California State Budget
As the June 15 deadline for a final balanced budget approaches, I am carefully watching the progress of the state budget. Last month, Governor Newsom announced his May Revision, and the details in his announcement confirmed my fear that his proposed budget would fail to address Californians’ core needs.
Unfortunately, the real budget negotiations happen behind closed doors between the Governor, the Assembly Speaker, and the Senate President pro Tempore.
The May Revise failed to adequately address the budget priorities Senate Republicans have been advocating for all year. My top priority is bringing spending in line with revenues to create a sustainable long‑term budget, though Governor Newsom’s poor fiscal management means this cannot be fixed in a single year.
California Salute to Small Business Dinner & Award Ceremony
It was my privilege to bring Wayne and Regina Hill of Bob’s Cycle Center to the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Awards Ceremony. Bob’s Cycle Center has served our region for the last 70 years by providing high‑quality cycling products and service to the local community. Congratulations!
Rancho Cordova Business Expo
The Rancho Cordovan Business Expo is where business meets opportunity.
This event helps businesses connect, collaborate, and grow. Whether you’re exhibiting or attending, this is where business gets done. For more information and to participate, visit https://www.ranchocordova.org/.
Niello in the News
ABC10: “California employers face higher taxes as UI debt tops $20 billion”
“…California not only lacks the funds to repay the federal government, but it also doesn't bring in enough revenue to maintain its unemployment insurance reserve. […] “That creates a huge burden on businesses, frankly more on smaller businesses,” Senate Budget Committee Vice Chair Republican state Senator Roger Niello said.”
KCRA: “Republican state senator says Gov. Newsom's proposal won't leave California with a "clean budget"
“Republicans aren't convinced Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed spending plan will leave California in a good financial position when Newsom terms out of office early next year. "He even had the audacity to compare it to what Gov. Brown left him, which was a surplus," said State Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, in an interview on California Politics 360. Gov. Newsom's proposal is relying on some risky assumptions, Niello said.”
The Galt Herald: “Victims' Families Fight for Accountability, Change in Law”
“Niello said during the rally that Lyman had connected with his office with concerns about the diversion program and stressed that anyone who takes a life behind the wheel should have that history permanently reflected on their driving record.
“Driving is not a right, it is a privilege, and it comes with responsibility,” Niello said. “Now, there’s nothing we can say or do to change what did happen, but we can work to change the future.”
Niello said Senate Bill 953, if approved, would ensure that drivers convicted of vehicular manslaughter would have that record reflected by the Department of Motor Vehicles, which he said is not currently the case.”
Check out more recent articles at https://sr06.senate.ca.gov/news/icymi.
Team Niello around Town
Emergency Medical Services Authority Statewide Medical Response Exercise
Wilton Memorial Day Service
The Alliance 10th Anniversary of protecting kids and strengthening families
Sacramento Valley Korean Culture Festival
Fusion Academy Ribbon Cutting
Spirit of San Juan Awards
It’s an honor to serve you.
Sincerely‚
ROGER NIELLO
Senator‚ Sixth District