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Headshot of Steve Bennett

Steve Bennett

Democrat, State Assembly
District 38, Oxnard
Time in office:
  • Assembly: 2020-present

News coverage of Steve Bennett

Bio

Steve Bennett, 75, is a former high school economics and American history teacher. He also is a former Ventura City Council member and Ventura County supervisor. Since his election to the Assembly in 2020, he’s been an advocate for reigning in environmentally harmful water use. He’s a graduate of Brown University, where he was a linebacker and team captain. He has a master’s in education from Butler University. For the past 14 years, Bennett and his wife, Leslie, have shared their home with an immigrant family from Mexico.

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 37 bills:
10 Passed
10 Failed
17 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 36 bills: 10 passed, 10 failed, and 17 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
Evan Low for Assembly 2022$193Jun 7, 2021Food and Beverage
Adam Gray for Assembly 2020$92Feb 1, 2021Food and beverage
Rendon for Assembly 2022$67.8Aug 15, 2021Jacket
Southern California Edison$60Nov 10, 2021Food and Beverage
California Democratic Party$57May 4, 2021Food and beverage
Rendon for Assembly 2022$35.38Dec 22, 2021Food and Beverage
Rendon for Assembly 2022$24.64Jan 28, 2021Book
Evan Low for Assembly 2022$12.15Jul 14, 2021t-shirt
Rendon for Assembly 2022$7.09Jul 7, 2021Food and Beverage
Rendon for Assembly 2022$5.83Jun 2, 2021Food and Beverage
Showing 1-10 of 11 rows

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
#50/120

This legislator is ranked 50th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Steve Bennett

AB 2075
Forestry: safety requirements: fire equipment: internal combustion engines.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources

In Progress
Forestry: safety requirements: fire equipment: internal combustion engines.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
AB 1960
Wildfire Prevention Grants Program: identified cohesive fire communities.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources

In Progress
Wildfire Prevention Grants Program: identified cohesive fire communities.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
AB 1934
State Fire Marshal: home hardening certification program implementation plan.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Emergency Management

In Progress
State Fire Marshal: home hardening certification program implementation plan.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Emergency Management
AB 1873
County of Ventura: fire suppression: backup energy source.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Emergency Management

In Progress
County of Ventura: fire suppression: backup energy source.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Emergency Management
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 19643MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 1964

State Fire Marshal: home hardening.

Preview image for AB 19604MIN
Jun 30, 2026

AB 1960

Wildfire Prevention Grants Program: identified cohesive fire communities.

Preview image for AB 207516MIN
Jun 23, 2026

AB 2075

Forestry: safety requirements: fire equipment: internal combustion engines.

Preview image for AB 19603MIN
Jun 23, 2026

AB 1960

Wildfire Prevention Grants Program: identified cohesive fire communities.

Preview image for AB 193416MIN
Jun 16, 2026

AB 1934

State Fire Marshal: home hardening certification program implementation plan.

Preview image for AB 24585MIN
Jun 8, 2026

AB 2458

Energy: appliance standards and cost-effective measures.

Preview image for AB 196449SEC
May 26, 2026

AB 1964

State Fire Marshal: home hardening.

Preview image for AB 20751MIN
May 21, 2026

AB 2075

Forestry: safety requirements: fire equipment: internal combustion engines.

Preview image for AB 19342MIN
May 21, 2026

AB 1934

State Fire Marshal: home hardening certification program implementation plan.

Preview image for AB 19601MIN
May 21, 2026

AB 1960

Wildfire Prevention Grants Program: identified cohesive fire communities.

Preview image for AB 21251MIN
May 11, 2026

AB 2125

Groundwater basin adjudication: notice.

Preview image for AB 19609MIN
Apr 23, 2026

AB 1960

Wildfire Prevention Grants Program: identified cohesive fire communities.

View All Hearings

District

View of map with yellow overlay for Assembly District 38 boundaries.
District 38 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2024):

Deborah "Deb" Baber
36.6%
Steve Bennett
63.4%
WON

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age0102030

Median age