Assembly advances housing bond, student‑ID crisis hotline mandate and limits on ultra‑processed school foods; dozens of bills pass

The California State Assembly spent much of its May 20 floor session debating a $10 billion affordable housing bond, a contentious proposal to place an LGBTQ‑youth crisis hotline on student ID cards, and a bill directing a scientific review to phase out particularly harmful “ultra‑processed” foods from school meals. Lawmakers also approved a package of other bills on public safety, health, education and housing policy.

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and colleagues urged voters be given the final say on a $10 billion bond to fund affordable housing programs, saying the measure would fund multifamily and permanent supportive housing, rehab existing units and create first‑time homebuyer programs. Wicks said the money would help 45,000 shovel‑ready projects and produce tens of thousands of deed‑restricted homes. Opponents, led by Assemblymember DeMaio, argued the state should focus on reducing construction costs and private investment rather than issuing another large bond, and warned of voter distrust because of past large bond outcomes. After lengthy debate the Assembly approved AB 7 36 on a roll call (Ayes 61, Noes 11); the measure will put the bond on the June 2026 ballot.

A separate, highly charged debate focused on AB 7 27, a bill to add the Trevor Project suicide‑prevention hotline number and text code to student identification cards. Supporters, including joint author Assemblymember Webb, said the change would make an established, youth‑focused crisis resource easier to find and could save lives. Opponents, including Assemblymember DeMaio and…