Steve Padilla
- Senate: 2022-present
Bio
Steve Padilla, 59, is a former police detective and chair of the California Coastal Commission. He worked for 13 years in law enforcement first in Chula Vista and then in Coronado, where he was a detective. He served for several years on the Chula Vista City Council, and as its mayor, he came out as LGBTQ. In 2020, Padilla was the first elected official in California to test positive for COVID-19. He would spend weeks in the ICU and 11 days on a ventilator. He has one daughter.
Leader Badges
Ideology
Bill Activity
For this session year, this legislator initiated 40 bills: 23 passed, 8 failed, and 9 are currently pending.
Alignment Meter
See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.
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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
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Amplify Campaigns | $203.55 | Aug 24, 2022 | concert at Pechanga Arena |
| San Diego Community Power | $156 | Jun 8, 2022 | padres tickets |
| Ishrani Family | $125 | Jun 3, 2022 | bottle of wine |
| Equality California Institute | $90.44 | Aug 8, 2022 | food/beverage at summit |
| Karina's Ceviches & More LLC | $66 | Oct 18, 2022 | food & drink |
| Equality California | $60 | Jun 24, 2022 | succulent plant |
| San Diego Working Waterfront | $55 | Sep 26, 2022 | dinner |
| Toni Atkins for Lt. Governor 2026 | $52.61 | Aug 18, 2022 | dinner |
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 75th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Mana de San Diego | $350 | Aug 24, 2023 | ticket to event |
| City of Chula Vista | $238.87 | Sep 25, 2023 | ceremonial shovel |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $210.8 | May 19, 2023 | jackets |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $168.39 | Jun 5, 2023 | reception/dinner |
| San Diego State University | $165 | Nov 4, 2023 | tickets |
| Palmaz Vineyards | $165 | Aug 15, 2023 | meal |
| Steve Glazer for Lt. Governor 2026 | $150 | Aug 16, 2023 | dinner |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $136.63 | Apr 18, 2023 | rain jacket |
| Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians | $108.21 | Nov 28, 2023 | reception/dinner |
| Seatopia | $103 | Dec 18, 2023 | sashimi |
| California Democratic Party | $101.42 | Feb 7, 2023 | meals |
| Chicano Federation | $100 | May 5, 2023 | lunch ticket |
| Equality California | $90 | Jul 15, 2023 | food and drink |
| California Democratic Party | $82.72 | Jan 24, 2023 | meals |
| Barona Band Of Mission Indians | $82.5 | Nov 28, 2023 | lunch |
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $73.03 | Jan 19, 2023 | vase & flowers |
| Equality California | $70.92 | Feb 22, 2023 | reception |
| Vulcan Materials | $70.31 | Oct 28, 2023 | lunch/tour |
| Visit Napa Valley | $66.48 | Aug 15, 2023 | transportation |
| California Democratic Party | $51.18 | Dec 4, 2023 | meals |
| California Democratic Party | $48.74 | Feb 8, 2023 | meals |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $48.57 | Jun 13, 2023 | food and drink |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $43.37 | Apr 12, 2023 | breakfast |
| Equality California | $37.49 | May 30, 2023 | food and drink |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $28.71 | Jan 31, 2023 | reception |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $27 | Jan 10, 2023 | event ticket |
| San Diego State University | $25 | Nov 4, 2023 | parking |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $21.82 | Apr 12, 2023 | hats |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $19.15 | Dec 4, 2023 | notebook |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $12 | Mar 22, 2023 | candy |
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $10.16 | Mar 30, 2023 | |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $4.09 | Mar 20, 2023 | candy |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $3.05 | Jun 5, 2023 | candy, flag, fan |
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 45th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Recording Industry Association of America | $590 | Feb 2, 2024 | food/drink/event ticket |
| San Manuel Band of Mission Indians | $576.83 | Mar 1, 2024 | food/drink/lodging |
| California Democratic Party | $180.93 | Aug 7, 2024 | food/drink |
| Bill Dodd for Lieutenant Governor | $168.05 | Dec 1, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Democratic Party | $139.52 | Feb 27, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $135 | Mar 13, 2024 | jacket |
| Senator Toni Atkins | $120.35 | Jan 25, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Tribal Business Alliance | $109.61 | Jan 11, 2024 | food.drink/entertainmnet |
| Port of Long Beach | $103.22 | Sep 23, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Democratic Party | $65 | Jan 25, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Chamber of Commerce | $62.97 | Aug 7, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Legislative Jewish Caucus Foundation | $60.21 | Apr 3, 2024 | food/drink |
| Mike McGuire for State Senate 2022 | $58 | Feb 28, 2024 | tumbler |
| Bill Dodd for Lieutenant Governor | $40 | Oct 31, 2024 | wine |
| California Democratic Party | $38.4 | Feb 27, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $36.1 | Jan 9, 2024 | event ticket |
| California Democratic Party | $27.45 | Jul 3, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Democratic Party | $25.66 | Apr 9, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $20.93 | Aug 31, 2024 | tee shirt |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $20 | Jun 5, 2024 | bandana, flag, candle candy |
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $19.81 | Jun 28, 2024 | food/drink |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $19.56 | Aug 12, 2024 | photo |
| California Legislative LGBT Foundation | $8.3 | Feb 12, 2024 | pin |
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 37th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance of California's Farmers & Ranchers Community Fund | $1,691.25 | Oct 26, 2022 | |
| San Diego Community Power | $877.46 | Sep 23, 2022 |
Sponsored Travel
Legislators are allowed to have their expenses paid for domestic and international travel that is related to their work including, for example, trips to conferences or to tour places facing issues similar to California. There is no limit on the amount of travel expenses a legislator can accept. The trips are often funded by companies or organizations with interest in state policy.
Travel Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 64th highest for the amount of sponsored travel received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $5,000 | Jul 7, 2023 | Academic Scholarship |
| California LGBTQ Foundation | $5,000 | Sep 24, 2023 | Scholarship |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 80th highest for the amount of behests received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $6,500 | Jul 23, 2024 | Academic Scholarship |
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $6,500 | Jul 23, 2024 | Academic Scholarship |
| California LGBTQ Foundation | $5,000 | Oct 9, 2024 | scholarship |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 53rd highest for the amount of behests received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Bighorn Cares | $15,000 | Jan 22, 2025 | Reduced admission fees/discounted educational programs for individuals/families who rely on |
| California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation | $5,000 | Jul 15, 2025 | Academic Scholarship |
| California LGBTQ Foundation | $5,000 | Aug 22, 2025 | academic scholarship |
| The Barona Band of Mission Indians | $5,000 | Sep 4, 2025 | Barona Education Grant |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 50th highest for the amount of behests received.
Featured Comments
Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.
Previous Election (2022):