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Stephen A Bennett

Assembly Member, State Assembly

Running in 2026: State Assembly Member District 38 (June 2) “Member of the Assembly, 38th District” · State Assembly Member District 38 (November 3) “Member of the Assembly, 38th District”

In the Legislature

Assembly District 38 D · 4,006 floor votes this session, 6% not voting

Committees they vote in: Water, Parks and Wildlife · Elections · Emergency Management · Privacy and Consumer Protection · Transportation · Higher Education

Bills they lead: 42 (21 became law) — AB 1041, AB 1056, AB 14, AB 1873, AB 1934, AB 1960, AB 1964, AB 2075, AB 2125, AB 2458, AB 293, AB 320 …

Bills their donors lobbied on

Bills they voted on (latest floor vote) that were lobbied by employers that gave to their campaign, reported spending on them, or paid at their request: the largest first. A lobbying report names the bill, not the side the employer took.

BillTheir voteEmployers that lobbied on it, and what they gave
AB 1156
Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities.		Aye
2026-08-31		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ($4,500 campaign); INVENERGY, LLC ($4,000 campaign); Intersect Power ($3,500 campaign) and 1 more
AB 706
Forest Organic Residue, Energy, and Safety Transformation (FOREST) and Wildfire Prevention Fund Act.		Aye
2026-08-27		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); CAL FIRE LOCAL 2881 ($7,000 campaign); INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ($4,500 campaign)
AB 1109
Evidentiary privileges: union agent-represented worker privilege.		Aye
2025-05-12		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT ($9,500 campaign); SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ($1,500 campaign)
SB 86
California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority Act: sales and use tax exclusion.		Aye
2025-09-08		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); CALPINE CORPORATION ($7,400 campaign); GENERAL ATOMICS ($2,500 campaign); NIAGARA BOTTLING ($1,000 campaign)
AB 825
Independent System Operator: independent regional organization.		Aye
2025-09-13		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ($4,500 campaign); INVENERGY, LLC ($4,000 campaign); California Environmental Voters ($179 gifts)
AB 531
Geothermal powerplants and projects: certification and environmental review.		Aye
2025-09-12		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ($4,500 campaign); INVENERGY, LLC ($4,000 campaign)
SB 1246
Autonomous vehicles.		Aye
2026-08-30		Service Employees International Union Local 721 ($11,800 campaign); CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY PATROLMEN ($6,000 campaign); Alliance for Automotive Innovation ($2,000 campaign)
AB 527
California Environmental Quality Act: geothermal exploratory projects: geothermal field development projects: enhanced geothermal system wells.		Aye
2025-09-10		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); CALPINE CORPORATION ($7,400 campaign)
AB 831
Gambling: operation of a contest or sweepstakes.		Aye
2025-09-12		BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($10,000 behested); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($5,000 campaign); AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS ($3,500 campaign)
AB 221
Tribal Nation Grant Fund.		Aye
2025-09-08		BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($10,000 behested); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($5,000 campaign); AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS ($3,500 campaign)
AB 52
Farmer equity: advisory committees.		Aye
2026-01-26		BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($10,000 behested); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($5,000 campaign); AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS ($3,500 campaign)
AB 1564
Employer-employee relations: confidential communications.		Aye
2026-05-26		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY PATROLMEN ($6,000 campaign)
AB 609
California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: housing development projects.		Aye
2025-05-19		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($5,000 campaign); California Environmental Voters ($179 gifts)
SB 222
Residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC systems.		Aye
2026-08-24		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($5,000 campaign); California Environmental Voters ($179 gifts)
AB 697
Protected species: authorized take: State Route 37 project.		Aye
2025-06-03		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($5,000 campaign)
AB 1751
Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act.		Aye
2026-08-26		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($5,000 campaign)
SB 607
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District: contributions and loans.		Aye
2026-08-06		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ($4,500 campaign); California Environmental Voters ($179 gifts)
AB 1016
Power facility and site certifications: thermal powerplants: geothermal resources.		Aye
2025-05-23		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ($4,500 campaign)
SB 283
Energy storage systems.		Aye
2025-09-09		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ($4,500 campaign)
SB 404
Hazardous materials: metal shredding facilities.		Not voting
2025-09-12		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); WASTE MANAGEMENT & AFFILIATED ENTITIES ($3,000 campaign); Union Pacific Railroad ($1,500 campaign)
AB 390
Vehicles: highway safety.		Aye
2025-07-10		PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT ($9,500 campaign); CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY PATROLMEN ($6,000 campaign)
AB 340
Employer-employee relations: confidential communications. 		Aye
2025-06-03		PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT ($9,500 campaign); CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY PATROLMEN ($6,000 campaign)
AB 130
Housing.		Aye
2025-06-30		BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($10,000 behested); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($5,000 campaign)
AB 1383
Public employees’ retirement benefits.		Aye
2026-08-30		CAL FIRE LOCAL 2881 ($7,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY PATROLMEN ($6,000 campaign); Union of American Physicians and Dentists ($1,500 campaign)
AB 1776
Cartwright Act: violations.		Aye
2026-08-30		GILEAD SCIENCES INC. ($4,500 campaign); WASTE MANAGEMENT & AFFILIATED ENTITIES ($3,000 campaign); Edwards Lifesciences ($3,000 campaign); ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES ($2,200 campaign) and 4 more
AB 2647
Energy: nuclear powerplants: assessment.		Aye
2026-08-25		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); GENERAL ATOMICS ($2,500 campaign)
AB 101
Budget Act of 2025.		Aye
2025-03-20		PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT ($9,500 campaign); INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ($4,500 campaign)
SB 675
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District: members and duties.		Aye
2026-08-25		CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES ($2,200 campaign)
AB 911
Emergency telecommunications medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.		Aye
2025-06-02		CAL FIRE LOCAL 2881 ($7,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY PATROLMEN ($6,000 campaign)
AB 1054
Public employees’ retirement: deferred retirement option program: public employee health benefits.		Aye
2026-08-26		CAL FIRE LOCAL 2881 ($7,000 campaign); CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF HIGHWAY PATROLMEN ($6,000 campaign)

Form 700 statements

StatementFiledWhat it lists
2025 Annual
Assembly Member, State Assembly		2026-02-237 investments, 4 real property, 13 gifts, 5 travel
2024 Annual
Assembly Member, State Assembly		2025-02-281 investments, 4 real property, 11 gifts, 5 travel

Findings

Context Behested payments

Of $24,000 paid at their request since 2024: 1 source ($10,000) is a registered lobbyist employer

Payments made at their request (Form 803) from sources that also appear in Cal-Access: Barona Band of Mission Indians ($10,000 to Glen City Elementary School, Thelma Bedell Elementary School; lobbyist employer).

What to check
  • Context: behested payments are legal and public; this puts two public records side by side.
  • Whether the official later acted on matters involving these sources.
  • The full Form 803 reports (available from the FPPC on request).
Rule: Behested payments from donors or lobbyist employers
“Unlike gifts and contributions, there are no limits on the amount of payments an official may behest.”FPPC, Reporting Behested Payments – Form 803 ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works

Context Lobbying

32 of their donors and benefactors lobbied on 375 bills they voted on

Employers that lobbied on bills they voted on (as their lobbying reports name the bills) and that gave $109,100 to their campaign, $307 in gifts reported by lobbying interests, $10,000 in payments at their request. Largest: CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800); Service Employees International Union Local 721 ($11,800); BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($10,000); PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT ($9,500); CALPINE CORPORATION ($7,400). They voted aye on 365 of the 375.

What to check
  • Context: lobbying a bill and funding a member are both legal and public.
  • A report names the bills an employer lobbied on, not which side it took: read the bill and the employer's position before drawing anything from a vote.
  • The bills on their page, sorted by how much these interests gave.
Rule: Bills their donors lobbied on

How this rule works

Context Travel payments · the statement

Lists $13,969.34 in travel paid by others (5 payments)

Largest: Norway ($10,117.70, California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy), Napa, CA ($1,794, Foundation for California's Technology and Innovation Economy), Napa, CA ($998.33, California Foundation on the Environment & the Economy). 5 of 5 are listed as gifts.

What to check
  • Who paid, and for what: speeches, conferences and nonprofit-paid travel are treated differently (Schedule E instructions).
  • Whether the paying organizations have business before the office.

Travel: California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy $10,118 p.9Travel: Foundation for California's Technology and Innovation Economy $1,794 p.8Travel: California Foundation on the Environment & the Economy $998 p.8

Rule: Travel paid by others
“Travel payments from third parties (not your employer).”Form 700 (2025/2026), Types of reportable interests ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works

Context Travel payments · the statement

Lists $5,707.36 in travel paid by others (5 payments)

Largest: Utah ($1,753.25, California Foundation on the Environment & the Economy), Napa, California ($1,290.65, California Foundation on the Environment & the Economy), Berkeley, CA ($965.64, California Foundation on the Environment & the Economy). 5 of 5 are listed as gifts.

What to check
  • Who paid, and for what: speeches, conferences and nonprofit-paid travel are treated differently (Schedule E instructions).
  • Whether the paying organizations have business before the office.

Travel: California Foundation on the Environment & the Economy $1,753 p.7Travel: California Foundation on the Environment & the Economy $1,291 p.7Travel: California Foundation on the Environment & the Economy $966 p.7

Rule: Travel paid by others
“Travel payments from third parties (not your employer).”Form 700 (2025/2026), Types of reportable interests ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works

Behested payments

What Stephen A Bennett reported others paying at their request (FPPC Form 803) since 2024: $24,000 in 6 payments to 6 recipients. Officials report a source that pays $5,000 or more in a year; there is no limit.

Largest recipients: Thelma Bedell Elementary School $5,000 · Glen City Elementary School $5,000 · Rodolfo Juarez-Perea $4,000 · Tiffani Ibarrra $4,000 · Ashley Zaily Portillo $3,000

Paid byTo, forAmount
Barona Band of Mission Indians
Lakeside · registered lobbyist employer · campaign donor		Thelma Bedell Elementary School · Education grant for elementary school library
Charitable · 2025-09-04		$5,000
Barona Band of Mission Indians
Lakeside · registered lobbyist employer · campaign donor		Glen City Elementary School · Education fund donation
Charitable · 2026-09-01		$5,000
California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Foundation
Los Angeles		Rodolfo Juarez-Perea · Scholarship.
Charitable · 2026-06-15		$4,000
California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Foundation
Los Angeles		Tiffani Ibarrra · Scholarship.
Charitable · 2026-06-05		$4,000
California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Foundation
Los Angeles		Ashley Zaily Portillo · Scholarship
Charitable · 2025-08-04		$3,000
California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Foundation
Los Angeles		Alice Sophia Coast-Schmitt · Scholarship
Charitable · 2025-07-21		$3,000

From the FPPC's Form 803 data (search and download). “Campaign donor” links to a donor who gave to two or more 2026 state candidates.

Reported by lobbying interests

What lobbyist employers, lobbyists and lobbying firms told the Secretary of State they spent on Stephen A Bennett since 2024: $471 across 11 items from 5 sources. Each amount is their share as the report gives it. Matched by name and office.

Reported byWhat, whenTo them
California Environmental Voters
$179 in all		Meal at Frank Fat's · 2026-04-15 · report$37.97
Meal at Frank Fat's · 2026-01-21 · report$20.50
Meal at Frank Fat's · 2025-02-19 · report$33.24
Meal at Hyatt Regency · 2024-06-18 · report$39.90
Meal at Frank Fat's · 2024-02-21 · report$30.26
Meal at Frank Fat's · 2024-01-17 · report$17.25
PERSONAL INSURANCE FEDERATION OF CALIFORNIA
$164 in all		LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION at THE SUTTER CLUB · 2025-03-10 · report$84.65
RECEPTION at THE SUTTER CLUB · 2024-03-11 · report$79.12
CALIFORNIA LIFE SCIENCES
$69 in all		FOOD AND DRINK AT RECEPTION at ELLA DINING ROOM & BAR · 2025-02-25 · report$69.34
OpenAI OPCO, LLC
$44 in all		Lunch at OpenAI · 2025-05-22 · report$43.72
Microsoft Corporation
$15 in all		Lunch at Calif Chicken Catering · 2025-10-15 · report$14.58

Reports on Cal-Access may ask you to pass a security check first.

Campaign money: State Assembly Member District 38

$613,478itemized, 374 contributions
$0from the candidate (incl. loans)

Plus $122,743 in 16 contributions reported within 24 hours since their latest full report, which ends 2026-09-19: not yet in the totals above (they'll move into them, not be added twice, when the next full report comes in).

California Democratic Party $77,643 2026-10-06 · SEIU California State Council $11,800 2026-10-06 · CA State Council of Laborers PAC $5,900 2026-10-07 · State Building and Construction Trades Council of CA PAC $5,900 2026-10-08 · Professional Engineers in CA Government $5,000 2026-09-30 · Trout PAC $5,000 2026-09-30 · Comcast Financial Agency Corp $2,500 2026-09-24 · United Nurses Association of CA/Union of Health Care Professionals PAC $2,500 2026-10-05 · Shingle Springs Band Miwok Indians $2,000 2026-09-29 · Drive Committee $1,500 2026-10-08

Where their outside money comes from

IndividualsBusinessesTrade, professional and issue groupsLabor unionsTribal governmentsPolitical partiesOther candidates and officeholders

Compare with all state candidates →

How it was spent: $395,040

Consultants$108,244
Literature and mailings$102,610
Contributions to others$64,500
Legal and accounting$42,808
Other (described)$29,779
Fundraising events$17,597
Filing and ballot fees$12,146
Office expenses$8,892
Civic donations$6,224
Internet and email$1,294

Largest payees: Bertolina & Barnato, Inc. $80,437 Fundraising events · NM Marketing $49,666 Literature and mailings · California Democratic Party $49,000 Contributions to others · Leiderman & Associates, Inc. $43,708 Internet and email · The House of Printing, Inc. $40,925 Literature and mailings · ArkeOne $35,060 Consultants · FNBO $26,642 Other (described) · Pilar Schiavo for Assembly 2026 $5,900 Contributions to others

Payments on their full reports (Form 460 Schedule E) covering 2025–2026, by the FPPC's expense codes; a consultant's payments to others (ads, mail) show under the consultant.

Top contributorsTypeTotal
County of Ventura, Registrar of Voters
Ventura		Business/other$14,895.74
CA Nurses Association PAC
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$12,500
Association of CA School Administrators PAC
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$11,800
CA Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC
Sacramento		Committee$11,800
CA State Association of Electrical Workers
San Francisco		Committee$11,800
CA State Council of Laborers PAC
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$11,800
CA State Pipe Trades Council PAC
Sacramento		Committee$11,800
CA Teachers Assn/Assn For Better Citizenship
Burlingame		Small contributor cmte$11,800
Service Employees International Union Local 721
Los Angeles		Small contributor cmte$11,800
Elizabeth D Simons
Retired · n/a · Atherton		Person$11,800
Southern CA Edison
Rosemead		Business/other$11,800
Sojourner Trust
Jackson		Business/other$11,000
CA State Council of Service Employees PAC
Sacramento		Small contributor cmte$10,900
CA Professional Firefighters PAC
Sacramento		Committee$9,500
Professional Engineers in CA Government
Sacramento		Committee$9,500

Committees: Stephen Bennet For Assembly 2026, Stephen Bennett for Assembly 2024, #1076023, #1070076, Stephen Bennett For Assembly 2022, Stephen Bennett for Assembly 2020. From the Secretary of State's Cal-Access export; reports covering 2025–2026.

Their donors also gave to

Their largest donors who also funded other 2026 state candidates.

DonorTo themCandidates fundedBy party
CA Nurses Association PAC
Labor union · Sacramento		$12,5009
Association of California School Administrators PAC
Group or PAC · Sacramento		$11,80035
California Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC
Labor union · Sacramento		$11,80070
California State Council of Laborers PAC
Labor union · Sacramento		$11,80048
Elizabeth D. Simons
Retired, n/a · Atherton		$11,80050
Southern California Edison
Business · Rosemead		$11,80028
California State Association of Electrical Workers
Labor union · San Francisco · registered lobbyist employer		$11,80030
California State Pipe Trades Council Political Action Committee
Labor union · Sacramento		$11,80026
California Teachers Association/Association for Better Citizenship
Labor union · Burlingame		$11,80043
CA State Council of Service Employees PAC
Labor union · Sacramento		$10,9004
California Professional Firefighters Political Action Committee
Labor union · Sacramento		$9,50069
Professional Engineers in CA Government
Labor union · Sacramento · registered lobbyist employer		$9,50011
AMR Holdco, Inc.
Business · Greenwood Village		$8,90018
Pechanga Band of Indians
Tribal government · Temecula · registered lobbyist employer		$8,900103
Associated General Contractors PAC
Group or PAC · West Sacramento		$7,50058