https://wp-calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Palo-Alto-3560-CM.jpg
Headshot of Marc Berman

Marc Berman

Democrat, State Assembly
District 23, Palo Alto
Time in office:
  • Assembly: 2016-present

News coverage of Marc Berman

Bio

Marc Berman, 45, made Californians who hate getting woken up by leaf blowers happy. He was the author of a law that bans the sale of new gas-powered small engines starting in 2024. He was the author of a bill that made California a permanent vote-by-mail state. Berman graduated from Georgetown University and received a law degree from USC. He worked for the prominent law firm Latham & Watkins and was a member of the Palo Alto City Council. Berman and his wife have a dog named Maven.

Leader Badges

Higher Education Badge

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 46 bills:
16 Passed
3 Failed
27 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 46 bills: 16 passed, 3 failed, and 27 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
Rich Gordon$300Oct 24, 202149ers Game
California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Foundation$175.48Jan 29, 2021Patagonia Jacket
Evan Low for Assembly 2022$117.65Jun 16, 2021Dinner
California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Foundation$67.43Jan 28, 2021Tzedakah Box and Engravers
California Democratic Party$60.99Aug 24, 2021lunch
California Democratic Party$56.93May 4, 2021lunch
California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Foundation$33.15Jan 28, 2021Food and Beverages: Solomon's Deli
California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Foundation$32.41Jan 28, 2021Yeti Mug
California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Foundation$26.6Jan 28, 2021Gift Bag

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
#33/120

This legislator is ranked 33rd highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Marc Berman

AB 2003
Pupil health: suicide prevention.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Education

In Progress
Pupil health: suicide prevention.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Education
AB 2313
Gas corporations: gas distribution service line replacements: alternatives.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy

In Progress
Gas corporations: gas distribution service line replacements: alternatives.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy
AB 1853
Voter information guide: candidate statements.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Elections

In Progress
Voter information guide: candidate statements.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Elections
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 24482MIN
Jul 1, 2026

AB 2448

Medical information: confidentiality.

Preview image for AB 11306MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 1130

Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign disclosures.

Preview image for AB 6862MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 686

Elections: deceptive audio or visual media.

Preview image for AB 22815MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 2281

Office of Elections Cybersecurity.

Preview image for AB 231327MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 2313

Gas corporations: gas distribution service line replacements: alternatives.

Preview image for AB 260415MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 2604

Elections: ballot curing.

Preview image for AB 6863MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 686

Elections: deceptive audio or visual media.

Preview image for AB 223620MIN
Jun 24, 2026

AB 2236

Postsecondary education: articulation agreements.

Preview image for AB 181027MIN
Jun 23, 2026

AB 1810

Firearms: dealer centralized list.

Preview image for AB 26822MIN
Jun 23, 2026

AB 2682

Transportation network company drivers: labor relations: appeals.

Preview image for AB 26822MIN
Jun 17, 2026

AB 2682

Transportation network company drivers: labor relations: appeals.

Preview image for AB 190113MIN
Jun 17, 2026

AB 1901

Children’s diapers: intentionally added ingredients: disclosure.

View All Hearings

District

View of map with yellow overlay for Assembly District 23 boundaries.
District 23 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2024):

Lydia Kou
40.2%
Marc Berman
59.8%
WON

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age010203040

Median age