THE CAPITOL BRIEF
Press Conferences and Media Briefings
Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Wednesday, October 28 four new resources to protect California elections, less than a week before the Tuesday, November 3, 2026 general election. The resources are a legal alert on California election law protections against seizures of election materials, a law enforcement bulletin under Senate Bill 73 with guidance for elections officials and election site managers on responding to law enforcement attempts to access election sites, a law enforcement bulletin on protections for voters and poll workers against intimidation, and a consumer alert on election-related misinformation and disinformation, especially involving artificial intelligence and social media. Bonta also urged Californians who have not yet voted to make a plan and cast their ballots as soon as possible, and noted that voters can still register and vote in person through Same Day Voter Registration.
Source: Office of the Attorney General
Also on October 28, Bonta announced that the United States District Court for the Central District of California denied the Trump Administration's request for a temporary restraining order that would have required California election officials to segregate and not count mail-in ballots returned by approximately 20,000 individuals the administration believes are likely noncitizens. Bonta said the administration has admitted the list could include several United States citizens. The district court ruling builds on a Monday ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejecting the administration's attempt to obtain emergency relief by bypassing the district court. Bonta has also filed a motion to dismiss the federal government's lawsuit.
Source: Office of the Attorney General
Also on October 28, Bonta joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in Viramontes v. County of Cook, in support of laws in Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois restricting the sale, manufacture, and possession of certain assault rifles. The brief urges the Supreme Court to uphold appellate court rulings finding the laws consistent with the Second Amendment. Bonta noted that California enacted the nation's first state-level assault weapons restriction in 1989.
Source: Office of the Attorney General
No press conference or media briefing for Thursday, October 29 was announced in the sources checked this morning.
Inside the Legislature
No Senate or Assembly floor sessions are scheduled for Thursday, October 29. The Senate website lists Today's Events for October 29, 2026 as: The Senate has adjourned for Final Recess. The Senate also lists a Joint Legislative Audit Committee meeting at 5 p.m. today.
Source: California State Senate
The Governor's Office
Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, October 28 announced preliminary data showing unsheltered homelessness in California declined for the second consecutive year, down nearly 13 percent since 2024, and is now slightly below 2019 levels. Across the 37 reporting Continuum of Care communities, unsheltered homelessness declined approximately 7.3 percent. Across all 44 regions statewide, preliminary estimates show unsheltered homelessness down 6.5 percent and total homelessness down 3.4 percent compared with reported 2025 figures. The Governor's Office said the preliminary 2026 estimates mark the first back-to-back annual declines in both unsheltered and total homelessness since 2013-14, and the two largest numerical declines since 2009.
Source: Office of the Governor
Also on October 28, Governor Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom issued a statement on the passing of Dolores Huerta, labor leader and civil rights activist and member of the California Hall of Fame, and the Governor ordered flags flown at half-staff in her honor. The statement said Huerta started as a teacher working with children of farmworkers, was a leader in the National Farm Workers Association and later the United Farm Workers, and helped lead the Delano grape boycott.
Source: Office of the Governor
Fundraising
No campaign fundraiser for Thursday, October 29 was publicly posted or announced in the sources checked this morning. Most Capitol fundraisers circulate by email invitation only and do not appear in public listings, so this section is intentionally brief rather than filled with unverified events.
New Appointments
Governor Newsom announced six appointments on Wednesday, October 28. Monica Revel, of West Hollywood, was appointed to the California Veterinary Medical Board. Revel has been a Research Veterinarian at AAV Gene Therapy for Canine Hemophilia since 2023, and Practice Owner and Medical Doctor at West Hollywood Animal Hospital since 2012. The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.
Source: Office of the Governor
Lusero Arias, of Hayward, was appointed to the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Arias has been Victims Services Division Manager at the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office since 2026, and held multiple positions at La Casa de las Madres from 2014 to 2026, including Executive Director. The position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.
Source: Office of the Governor
Jeanette Horne, of Elk Grove, was appointed to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Horne has been Founder and Managing Partner at G.U.C.I. Money, LLC since 2025, and Founder and Managing Partner at Shorelake Home Partners, LLC since 2023. The position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.
Source: Office of the Governor
Nancy Hoque, of Pleasanton, was appointed to the California Board of Podiatric Medicine. Hoque has been Director of Central Finance at Adobe Inc. since 2023. The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.
Source: Office of the Governor
Diparshi Mukherjee, of Walnut Creek, was reappointed to the Board of Naturopathic Medicine, where he has served since 2022. Mukherjee has been a Physician at Kaiser Permanente since 2004. The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.
Source: Office of the Governor
Minna Yoon, of San Francisco, was reappointed to the Board of Naturopathic Medicine, where she has served since 2018. Yoon has been Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist at Bay Natural Medicine since 2008. The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.
Source: Office of the Governor
People and Moves
No personnel move in California government or campaigns was publicly announced on October 28 or 29 in the sources checked this morning, apart from the appointments listed above, so no moves are listed today rather than repeating older announcements.
Boards and Commissions
The California Public Utilities Commission holds a voting meeting today, Thursday, October 29 at 11:00 a.m. at the CPUC Auditorium, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102, also available via webcast or phone, according to the Commission's upcoming events page.
Source: California Public Utilities Commission
The Board of Equalization holds the second day of its October 28-29 board meeting today in Sacramento, according to its 2026 board meetings page, updated as of October 27, 2026.
Source: Board of Equalization
Reports and Studies
The Legislative Analyst's Office lists its most recent publication as The 2026-27 California Spending Plan: Health, dated October 19, 2026, which summarizes the 2026-27 health spending package, including Medi-Cal, State Hospitals, Public Health and Covered California. No LAO publication dated October 20 to 29 was listed this morning.
Source: Legislative Analyst's Office
Talks and Addresses
No speech or address by a state official for Thursday, October 29 was publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Rallies and Protests
No rally or protest at the Capitol on Thursday, October 29 was announced by press release or news report in the sources checked this morning.
Odds and Ends
Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber on Wednesday, October 28 honored Dolores Huerta, who passed away that day. Weber called Huerta a cherished friend and a civil rights icon and trailblazing labor leader, and said her life was devoted to building a better future together, including organizing and making voices heard at the ballot box.
Source: Secretary of State
Attorney General Bonta also issued a statement on October 28 on Huerta's passing, calling her a friend, a mentor, and a lifelong hero of his, and citing her rallying cry, Si Se Puede. Bonta said he grew up in the headquarters of the United Farmworkers of America.
Source: Office of the Attorney General
Campaign Notes
California's November 3 general election is five days away. The Secretary of State's general election page notes that eligible citizens who missed the October 19 online registration deadline may still complete Same Day voter registration through Election Day, November 3, at their county elections office or any in-person voting location in their county. In-person early voting locations throughout California will be open on Saturday, October 31. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before November 3, and November 3 is the last day to vote in person or return a ballot by 8:00 p.m. Polls on Election Day will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Source: Secretary of State
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