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Headshot of Benjamin Allen

Ben Allen

Democrat, State Senate
District 24, El Segundo
Time in office:
  • Senate: 2014-present

News coverage of Ben Allen

Bio

Ben Allen, 48, authored the legislation behind California’s regulations that discourage the use of plastic straws and other single-serving plastic utensils. It was one of several pieces of environmental legislation that Allen authored since being elected in 2014. Previously, he was president of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education, a lecturer at UCLA Law School, worked as an attorney and was communications director for U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano, a Democrat from New York. He has a bachelor’s from Harvard University; a master’s from University of Cambridge and a law degree from UC Berkeley. He’s married with a son and a daughter.

Leader Badges

Environment Badge

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 47 bills:
11 Passed
4 Failed
32 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 47 bills: 11 passed, 4 failed, and 32 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx%votes: xx

Influence

There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.

Giver
Value
Date
Description
Association of Global Automakers$43.34May 20, 2014Food and Beverage*
California Professional Firefighters$18.5Dec 18, 2014Lunch
* Legislator reports that the cost of this gift was reimbursed.

Gifts

Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.

Gift Received Rating
#25/120

This legislator is ranked 25th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Ben Allen

SB 1093
Mobilehome parks: disaster assistance.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary

In Progress
Mobilehome parks: disaster assistance.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
SB 894
Wildfire resiliency: financial assistance.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water

In Progress
Wildfire resiliency: financial assistance.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
SB 799
Joint powers authorities: South Bay Regional Housing Trust.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary

In Progress
Joint powers authorities: South Bay Regional Housing Trust.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
SB 715
Elections.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Housing

In Progress
Elections.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Housing
View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees. Legislators also work on budget subcommittees. There are also “Special” and “Select” committees with a more narrow topic focus. And there are “Joint” committees with members from the Senate and Assembly.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for SB 5493MIN
Aug 26, 2026

SB 549

Heritage schools: enrollment and notice.

Preview image for SB 5011MIN
Aug 25, 2026

SB 501

Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022: covered batteries.

Preview image for SB 12671MIN
Aug 25, 2026

SB 1267

Common interest developments: electric vehicle charging stations owned by members in common...

Preview image for SB 10931MIN
Aug 24, 2026

SB 1093

Mobilehome parks: disaster assistance.

Preview image for SB 7991MIN
Aug 19, 2026

SB 799

Joint powers authorities: South Bay Regional Housing Trust.

Preview image for SB 83254SEC
Aug 17, 2026

SB 832

Upper Los Angeles River and Tributaries Working Group: membership: revitalization plan.

Preview image for SB 12091MIN
Aug 5, 2026

SB 1209

Insurance: examination of insurers.

Preview image for SB 12449MIN
Aug 5, 2026

SB 1244

Public Agency Benefits Intermediary Compensation Disclosure Act.

Preview image for SB 109323MIN
Jun 30, 2026

SB 1093

Mobilehome parks: disaster assistance.

Preview image for SB 124420MIN
Jun 30, 2026

SB 1244

Public Agency Benefits Intermediary Compensation Disclosure Act.

Preview image for SB 136518MIN
Jun 30, 2026

SB 1365

Price gouging.

Preview image for SB 50114MIN
Jun 29, 2026

SB 501

Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022: covered batteries.

View All Hearings

District

View of map with yellow overlay for Senate District 24 boundaries.
District 24 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2022):

Ben Allen (Incumbent)
67.1%
WON
Kristina Irwin
32.9%

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age010203040

Median age