https://wp-calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/El-Segundo-3560-CM.jpg

Ben Allen

Democrat, State Senate

District 24, El Segundo

Time in office:

Senate: 2014-present

Official Website

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

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

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	$43.34	May 20, 2014	Food and Beverage*
California Professional Firefighters	$18.5	Dec 18, 2014	Lunch

* 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 715

Elections.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Housing

In Progress

Elections.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Housing

SB 615

Vehicle traction batteries.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality

In Progress

Vehicle traction batteries.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality

SB 1301

Residential property insurance: nonrenewals.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Insurance

In Progress

Residential property insurance: nonrenewals.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Insurance

SB 1180

Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act: California Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality

In Progress

Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act: California Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality

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.

Standing