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Headshot of Liz Ortega

Liz Ortega

Democrat, State Assembly
District 20, Hayward
Time in office:
  • Assembly: 2022-present

News coverage of Liz Ortega

Bio

Liz Ortega, 48, is a labor activist-turned-legislator who chairs the Labor and Employment Committee. She was the first Latina to be elected executive secretary-treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council. Before taking office, she was statewide political director for AFSCME Local 3299, the University of California’s largest employee union. She authored a law that requires public high schools to teach students their workplace rights including how to unionize. She lives in San Leandro with her husband and daughter.

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 38 bills:
7 Passed
13 Failed
18 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 38 bills: 7 passed, 13 failed, and 18 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
California Democratic Party$61.78Nov 9, 2022Lunch

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
#104/120

This legislator is ranked 104th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Liz Ortega

AB 2321
Bureau of Investigations.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Labor and Employment

In Progress
Bureau of Investigations.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Labor and Employment
AB 1537
Peace officers: secondary employment.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety

In Progress
Peace officers: secondary employment.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
ACR 190
California Day of the Teacher.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Rules

Passed
California Day of the Teacher.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Rules
AB 2575
Health care services: artificial intelligence.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health

In Progress
Health care services: artificial intelligence.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
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 AB 18187MIN
Jul 1, 2026

AB 1818

California State University: employer-employee relations: meeting and conferring.

Preview image for AB 246515MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 2465

State government: benefits.

Preview image for AB 185913MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 1859

Public works.

Preview image for AB 158215MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 1582

Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act: collective bargaining: unfair labor practices.

Preview image for AB 257518MIN
Jun 29, 2026

AB 2575

Health care services: artificial intelligence.

Preview image for AB 246517MIN
Jun 24, 2026

AB 2465

State government: benefits.

Preview image for AB 185916MIN
Jun 24, 2026

AB 1859

Public works.

Preview image for AB 23219MIN
Jun 24, 2026

AB 2321

Bureau of Investigations.

Preview image for AB 192919MIN
Jun 24, 2026

AB 1929

Health care coverage: investments: disclosure.

Preview image for AB 257514MIN
Jun 24, 2026

AB 2575

Health care services: artificial intelligence.

Preview image for AB 158214MIN
Jun 17, 2026

AB 1582

Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act: collective bargaining: unfair labor practices.

Preview image for AB 15769MIN
Jun 17, 2026

AB 1576

Workers’ compensation: Subsequent injuries payments.

View All Hearings

District

View of map with yellow overlay for Assembly District 20 boundaries.
District 20 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2024):

Liz Ortega
72.9%
WON
Sangeetha Shanbhogue
27.1%

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age0102030

Median age