Monique Limón

The Assembly elections committee passes a bill to expand voter registration, but not the automatic sign-up that supporters originally wanted. Instead, the proposal would create a “preapproved” list for registration.

After her DUI arrest, Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo has been talking about her struggles with alcohol. Now she has introduced legislation to educate high school students about the harms of booze.

Advocates say expanding voter registration will help more Black and Latino Californians have a say at the ballot box. But other voter groups say registering to vote should still be voluntary — and they don’t see the bill as an effective way to increase voter diversity.

The new top Democrat in the state Senate announces his leadership team and new committee chairpersons. He rewarded some allies who helped him win the post, and filled five of seven leadership posts with women or legislators of color.