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Robert Rivas elected California Assembly speaker, sets affordability agenda
Summary
Robert Rivas was elected speaker of the California State Assembly by a 59–19 margin and used his first remarks to emphasize affordability, housing and energy costs, and a reduced bill-carrying limit of 35 to focus legislative priorities.
Robert Rivas was elected speaker of the California State Assembly in the body’s organizational session, winning 59 votes to 19 in an oral roll call and taking the oath before colleagues and guests.
Rivas, who was nominated by Assemblymember Soria and endorsed by several members, told the chamber he will prioritize affordability for families and small businesses, housing production and lower energy costs. "We must chart a new path forward and renew the California dream by focusing on affordability," Rivas said in his remarks after being sworn in.
Rivas said the assembly will reduce the number of bills each lawmaker may carry from 50 to 35 so members can focus on bills that lower day-to-day costs and build housing more quickly. He urged committee oversight of energy costs and for housing and budget committees to examine state agencies with housing oversight to understand what is obstructing progress.
Members endorsing Rivas cited his record on coalition-building and previous work on emergency relief for farmworker communities and a distressed hospital loan program. Assemblymember Soria, who nominated Rivas, said his background ‘‘reflects the very best of California’’ and praised his ability to build bipartisan coalitions.
The other nominee, Republican leader James Gallagher, was nominated from the minority and drew 19 votes. After the tally was announced, the clerk declared Rivas elected speaker for the 2025–26 session and the house called him to the rostrum to be sworn in.
Rivas also named Josh Lowenthal speaker pro tempore; Lowenthal was sworn in at the rostrum. The chief justice administered the oaths for those leadership roles.
Next steps announced by Rivas included committee directives to investigate energy costs and housing agency performance; he also said the assembly would make changes to committee organization and floor procedures as part of the session’s early work.
The assembly then proceeded to consider the standing rules and other organizational matters and adjourned to the organizational recess with the next floor session scheduled for January 6, 2025.
