Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · California
Votes with Democrats
99%
on 1,157 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 99%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 4,781 of 4,831 roll calls · Senate median 96%
Their bills that became law
40 of 61
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 34
Roll calls on record
4,831
2025-2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 4, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2025-2026 Regular Session.
How Dave Cortese votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Dave Cortese sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Dave Cortese is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
6 of 1,157 party-line votes.
AB1156 · Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities.
Assembly 3rd Reading AB1156 Wicks By Laird · 2026-08-31 · Passed 21–14 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB948 · Firearms: safety certificates.
Unfinished Business SB948 Arreguín et al. Concurrence · 2026-08-25 · Passed 28–12 · most Democrats voted the other way
AB1810 · Firearms: dealer centralized list.
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] · 2026-06-23 · Passed 4–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
AB1156 · Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities.
Assembly 3rd Reading AB1156 Wicks By Laird · 2025-09-12 · Passed 25–8 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB601 · Water: waste discharge.
Senate 3rd Reading SB601 Allen et al · 2025-06-04 · Passed 23–12 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB403 · End of Life Option Act: sunset.
Senate 3rd Reading SB403 Blakespear · 2025-06-04 · Passed 26–6 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
AB2237 · Probation: term length.
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] · 2026-06-30 · Failed 2–3
SB1278 · Elderly Parole Program.
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] · 2026-04-21 · Passed 3–2
AB917 · County offices of education: school districts: average daily attendance of less than 250 pupils: permanent status.
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] · 2025-07-02 · Passed 3–2
AB2651 · Informed Parents, Healthy Schools Act.
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] · 2026-07-01 · Passed 4–2
AB2528 · Community colleges: governing board member compensation.
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] · 2026-07-01 · Passed 2–0
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Megan DahleRepublican · District 1 · 779 shared contested votes
9%
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghRepublican · District 23 · 879 shared contested votes
8%
Suzette ValladaresRepublican · District 23 · 715 shared contested votes
7%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (50 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← California Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaAbsentYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaAbsentYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaAbsentYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Dave Cortese was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced61
Out of committee60
Passed one chamber53
Passed both chambers45
Became law40
Never left committee1
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 34 bills that became law this session.
California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: urban intermodal rail station project.
An act to add Section 21080.76 to the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1030, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-09-30
Autonomous vehicles.
An act to add Section 13519.18 to the Penal Code, and to amend, repeal, and add Section 38751 of, to add Section 38754 to, to add the heading of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 38750) to Division 16.6 of, and to add Chapter 3 (commencing…
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1021, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-09-30
Special education: nonpublic schools and agencies.
In plain English Changes California's special education laws regarding nonpublic schools and agencies, including requirements for placements, services, and oversight.
Official synopsis: An act to amend Sections 33050, 44237, 44415, 48645.5, 48853, 48853.5, 48854, 48856, 48911.5, 48986, 49001, 51225.2, 52052, 56001, 56028, 56034, 56035, 56040.6, 56042, 56101, 56124, 56157, 56168, 56170, 56195.8, 56205, 56325, 56326.5, 56342.1, 56345, 56361, 56361.5, 56365, 56366, 56366.1, 56366.4, 56366.45, 56366.5, 56366.6, 56366.8,…
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 975, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-09-30
State highway system: wildlife connectivity.
An act to add Section 14526.4.1 to the Government Code, and to amend Sections 158.1, 158.5, and 164.6 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 821, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-09-29
California Housing Finance Agency: credit enhancement mechanisms study.
An act to add Section 51071 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to housing.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 803, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-09-29
High-Speed Rail Authority: property: operating right-of-way.
An act to amend Section 185045 of, and to add Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 185520) to Division 19.5 of, the Public Utilities Code, relating to high-speed rail.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 713, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-09-27
Controlled substances: gamma-butyrolactone.
An act to add Section 11112 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to controlled substances.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 694, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-09-27
Smog check: exemption: collector motor vehicles.
An act to amend Section 44011 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 259 and 4000.1 of, and to add Article 8.2 (commencing with Section 5040) to Chapter 1 of Division 3 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to air pollution.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 245, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-09-16
Rusty Areias Highway.
Relative to the Rusty Areias Highway.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 196, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-08-24
Pharmaceutical facilities: skilled and trained workforce.
An act to add Chapter 6.98 (commencing with Section 25600) to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to hazardous materials.
Passed one chamberAugust 13 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. · 2026-08-13
Education finance: Education Equalization Act: Equalization Reserve Account.
A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by adding Section 16 to Article XIIIB thereof, and by amending Section 8 of, and adding Section 8.7 to, Article XVI thereof, relating to education…
Became lawIn Assembly. Held at Desk. · 2026-08-11
Federal funding for essential state infrastructure, technology, and economic development.
Relative to federal funding.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 165, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-08-11
Public contracts: claim resolution.
An act to amend Section 9204 of the Public Contract Code, relating to public contracts.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 99, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-07-16
Wage statements: airline cabin crew employees.
An act to amend Section 226 of the Labor Code, relating to employment.
Passed one chamberFrom committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L. & E. · 2026-06-18
School Bus Drivers’ Day.
Relative to School Bus Drivers’ Day.
Became lawChaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 72, Statutes of 2026. · 2026-05-21
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
AB2634 · 2026-10-01
Workforce development: High road training partnerships: scoring preference. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2634 Zbur By Durazo)
AB113 · 2026-09-01
Budget Act of 2026. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB113 Gabriel By Laird)
SB931 · 2026-09-01
Dolly Parton Day. (W/O REF. TO FILE SB931 Grove Urgency Clause)
AB904 · 2026-08-31
Carpet recycling. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB904 Aguiar-Curry By Cabaldon)
AB2204 · 2026-08-31
Prisons: organized sports programming. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2204 Gabriel et al. By Becker)
SB886 · 2026-08-31
California Technology Innovation and Ratepayer Protection Act. (W/O REF. TO FILE SB886 Padilla)
SB1180 · 2026-08-31
Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act: California Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund. (Unfinished Business SB1180 Allen Concurrence)
AB190 · 2026-08-31
Early care and education. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB190 BUDGET (Gabriel) By Laird)
SB574 · 2026-08-31
Attorneys, arbitrators, judicial officers, and alternative resolution providers. (Unfinished Business SB574 Umberg et al. Concurrence)
AB1680 · 2026-08-31
California FAIR Plan Association. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1680 Calderon et al. By Allen)
SB715 · 2026-08-31
Elections. (Unfinished Business SB715 Allen Concurrence)
AB2564 · 2026-08-31
Surveillance pricing. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2564 Ward et al. By Wiener)
SB1365 · 2026-08-31
Price gouging. (Unfinished Business SB1365 Allen et al. Concurrence)
SB876 · 2026-08-31
Fire and residential property insurance. (Unfinished Business SB876 Padilla et al. Concurrence)
SB16 · 2026-08-31
Mental health: involuntary commitment. (W/O REF. TO FILE SB16 Blakespear)
SB337 · 2026-08-31
Prisons. (Unfinished Business SB337 Menjivar et al. Concurrence)
SB1050 · 2026-08-31
False advertising: synthetic performers. (W/O REF. TO FILE SB1050 Ashby)
AB664 · 2026-08-31
Community colleges: baccalaureate degree program: Southwestern Community College District. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB664 Alvarez et al. By Padilla)
AB187 · 2026-08-31
Employment. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB187 BUDGET (Gabriel) By Laird)
SB795 · 2026-08-31
Air pollution: gasoline vapor control systems: ethanol blends. (W/O REF. TO FILE SB795 Archuleta)
SB423 · 2026-08-31
California Public Records Act: private detention facilities. (Unfinished Business SB423 Gonzalez et al. Concurrence)
AB192 · 2026-08-31
Energy: transmission infrastructure accelerator: financing. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB192 BUDGET (Gabriel) By Laird)
AB2760 · 2026-08-31
Law enforcement: wearable electroshock devices. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2760 Sharp-Collins et al. By Arreguín)
SB1392 · 2026-08-31
Smog check: exemption: collector motor vehicles. (Unfinished Business SB1392 Cortese et al. Concurrence)
AB1331 · 2026-08-31
Workplace surveillance. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1331 Elhawary et al. By Durazo)
AB1969 · 2026-08-31
California Community Schools Partnership Program: Promise Neighborhoods. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1969 Bonta et al. By Ashby)
AB1903 · 2026-08-31
Construction defects. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1903 Wicks et al. By Ashby)
SB903 · 2026-08-31
Mental health professionals: artificial intelligence. (Unfinished Business SB903 Padilla et al. Concurrence)
AB2493 · 2026-08-31
Electrical corporations: interconnection: Public Utilities Commission: transmission development monitor. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2493 Petrie-Norris By Stern)
AB1156 · 2026-08-31
Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1156 Wicks By Laird)
SB895 · 2026-08-31
California Science and Health Research Bond Act. (Unfinished Business SB895 Wiener et al. Urgency Clause Concurrence)
AB2727 · 2026-08-31
Corrections: parole and prerelease treatment. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2727 Nguyen et al. By Rubio)
SB1009 · 2026-08-31
Juveniles: detention. (Unfinished Business SB1009 Becker et al. Concurrence)
SB907 · 2026-08-31
Driving under the influence and other driving offenses: comprehensive reform. (Unfinished Business SB907 Archuleta et al. Concurrence)
AB1795 · 2026-08-31
Smoke Damage Recovery Act. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1795 Gipson By Allen)
AB2440 · 2026-08-31
Arts and Music in Schools—Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act: allowable uses: pooled funding: certifications. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2440 Muratsuchi et al. By Allen)
SB615 · 2026-08-31
Vehicle traction batteries. (Unfinished Business SB615 Allen et al. Concurrence)
SB716 · 2026-08-31
Local government: ordinances: penalties for violation: nonresidential structures. (W/O REF. TO FILE SB716 Durazo)
AB1709 · 2026-08-31
Covered platforms: age restriction: e-Safety Advisory Commission. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1709 Lowenthal et al. By Stern)
SB1228 · 2026-08-31
Advertising displays: exemptions: arenas and redevelopment agency projects. (W/O REF. TO FILE SB1228 Rubio)
AB2717 · 2026-08-31
Outdoor advertising displays: arenas: exemptions. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2717 Caloza By Reyes)
AB1871 · 2026-08-31
Pupil instruction: dual enrollment: College and Career Access Pathways partnerships. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1871 Fong et al. By Pérez)
AB2414 · 2026-08-31
Developmental services: direct support professionals. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2414 Nguyen By Reyes)
AB1841 · 2026-08-31
State holidays: Native American Day. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1841 Ramos et al. By Richardson)
AB2383 · 2026-08-31
Electricity: data centers. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2383 Zbur et al. By Allen)
AB2047 · 2026-08-31
Firearms: 3-dimensional printing blocking technology. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2047 Bauer-Kahan et al. By Blakespear)
SB1087 · 2026-08-31
Transportation planning: sustainable communities strategies: transportation funding programs. (Unfinished Business SB1087 Cabaldon Concurrence)
AB1307 · 2026-08-31
Licensed Dentists from Mexico Pilot Program. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1307 Ávila Farías et al. By Caballero)
AB1349 · 2026-08-31
Consumer protection: ticket sellers. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1349 Bryan et al. By Cabaldon)
AB1546 · 2026-08-31
Vehicles: driving under the influence. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1546 Schultz et al. By Menjivar)
AB1642 · 2026-08-31
Wildfires: contamination standards. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB1642 Harabedian et al. By Allen)
SB887 · 2026-08-31
California Environmental Quality Act: environmental leadership development projects: data centers: geothermal powerplant projects. (Unfinished Business SB887 Padilla et al. Concurrence)
SB178 · 2026-08-31
Public resources trailer bill. (W/O REF. TO FILE SB178 B. & F.R. (Laird))
SB1246 · 2026-08-31
Autonomous vehicles. (Unfinished Business SB1246 Cortese Concurrence)
SB883 · 2026-08-31
Hazardous materials: reactive chemicals: methyl methacrylate: facilities. (Unfinished Business SB883 Umberg et al. Concurrence)
SB867 · 2026-08-31
Toys: companion chatbots. (Unfinished Business SB867 Padilla et al. Concurrence)
SB947 · 2026-08-31
Employment: automated decision systems. (Unfinished Business SB947 McNerney et al. Concurrence)
AB2065 · 2026-08-31
Rates: prohibited cost recovery. (Assembly 3rd Reading AB2065 Petrie-Norris By Pérez)
SB1342 · 2026-08-31
Criminal records: relief. (Unfinished Business SB1342 Durazo et al. Concurrence)
SB1360 · 2026-08-31
Elections: translation of election materials. (Unfinished Business SB1360 Cervantes et al. Concurrence)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 4831 total roll-call votes this session).
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