

Ben Allen
- 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
Ideology
Left
Moderate
Right
Bill Activity
0
Of 47 bills: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.
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 |
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
This legislator is ranked 25th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
Policy
Bills Authored by Ben Allen
Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Insurance
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.
Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Senate Standing Committee on Emergency Management
Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Interest Group Rankings
Generally Aligned
Hearings
Featured Comments
Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.
District

Previous Election (2022):
Party Registration
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Census Data
Median age